Home address: 709 Short Ave

2021 Taxable Value: $89,351         

Recent Sales Price: $65,000 – Over-taxed by 37%

Guadalupe County property investors far too often pay excess property taxes. Protesting the appraisal district’s market value will usually reduce your property taxes. Unequal appraisal appeals are valid when the assessment is below market value. Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”. The same is true of property taxes.  If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent.

Some property owners do not appeal due to a concern the appraisal district will want to inspect their house.  However, the appraisal district is MUCH too busy during the appeal season to even think about asking to inspect a property. Assessors do not visit houses because of appeals. One reason it is difficult for appraisal districts to correctly value homes is they are not homogenous. Some have been remodeled and some haven’t. Appraisal districts are willing to settle property tax appeals because they realize their values are not precise. Property owners who appeal annually rarely pay more than their fair share.