Home address: 108 Bandit Bay View

2021 Taxable Value: $485,026      

Recent Sales Price: $330,500 – Over-taxed by 47%

Half or more of Texas homeowners are paying more than their fair share of property taxes. Protesting the appraisal district’s market value will usually reduce your property taxes. Unequal appraisal appeals compare the level of assessment of your house to comparable houses, typically on a per square foot basis. The Texas Comptroller reports 80% of 2019 property tax appeals by homeowners were successful.

Some homeowners do not appeal property taxes because they are not aware of this right.  You can and should protest both market value and unequal appraisal annually. It is difficult for appraisal districts to accurately value houses due to limited staff. Appraisal districts settle appeals at the informal level  to avoid the time consuming and expensive appraisal review board hearings. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car.  Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.