Home address: 225 Valley Oak Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $268,603      

Recent Sales Price: $185,000 – Over-taxed by 45%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Guadalupe County owners to pay extra taxes. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given the large number of houses they value and that are protested. Property owners can appeal both market value and unequal appraisal. Property tax appeals are often won with a smile and a bit of data.

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. It is difficult for appraisal districts to accurately value homes since they rarely or never see the houses. One reason appraisal districts are motivated to settle protests is to maintain goodwill with the community. Property owners who appeal annually rarely pay more than their fair share.