HISD BOND - City may purchase property (Houston, Roma: real estate, attorney)

[LMPuma]

[SIZE=3]With the HISD Bond, we may be forced to sell our property for the expansion of a new school. I have done many improvements to the property and unfortunately my property does not reflect value on the Appraisal District records. What can I do to get property value raised? I was informed to remove Homestead exemption and get property reappraised by the Harris County Appraisal district. What else can I do to get the best price for my home?[/SIZE]

[tstone]

I'm not sure if removing homestead is going to do anything to raise your value.

[Poltracker]

Get a professional property appraisal conducted (not by HCAD) and get ready for a fight. Also do some research of state law which says something to the effect of "fair market value". HCAD is not exactly "fair market value" IMHO. A professional appraiser can determine that. You need to know what your property is really worth. Not what you think it is worth or what HCAD thinks it is worth before you make an issue of it. A real estate attorney would also help with this. Having similar issue with my uncle's property and Hwy 90 expansion project.

[LMPuma]

Poltracker, can you refer me to a estate attorney? I'd like to know my options before its to late. Im not sure if the home or area can be considered an historic district. This property was built in 1926. Maybe I can find a loop hole to stop this process if possible.

[Poltracker]

Check with the Houston Bar Association they can refer you to a real estate attorney that has experience with eminant domain cases. My Uncle died while all this was occuring so we have a different type of attorney handling our case.