Should I contest our property tax appeal? (Homestead: closing, exemption)

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Tinare

Actually the Homestead exemption does apply in the city.

That's good to know. Thanks.

I wonder if Hip Priest bought in the city.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I wonder if Hip Priest bought in the city.

He wouldn't say where he had bought but he said it was one of four city neighborhoods in an older thread.

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by Hopes

That's good to know. Thanks.

I wonder if Hip Priest bought in the city.

That is good to know, especially since it will save me money. How does one go about applying for the homestead exemptions for the city and for the county? And yes, I did buy in the city. I'm hesitant to disclose where I purchased, however, because it would be very easy for someone very crazy to deduce which home I bought, considering pretty much anyone who's ever read my posts knows my price range and housing preferences.

[EggMaker]

Does it work the other way? If I pay $350K on the open market for a property that was assessed for $450K, can I appeal?

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by EggMaker

Does it work the other way? If I pay $350K on the open market for a property that was assessed for $450K, can I appeal?

Yes, if it's arms-length, just show up with your sales agreement.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

That is good to know, especially since it will save me money. How does one go about applying for the homestead exemptions for the city and for the county? And yes, I did buy in the city. I'm hesitant to disclose where I purchased, however, because it would be very easy for someone very crazy to deduce which home I bought, considering pretty much anyone who's ever read my posts knows my price range and housing preferences.

Tinare linked the application for the county. That's the only application you need to fill out according to the city website.

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Tinare linked the application for the county. That's the only application you need to fill out according to the city website.

Oh, okay, I didn't realize that's the only application. It's pretty simple, then. I thank both of you very much for the valuable info!

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Well, Julie, admittedly, I wouldn't mind so much if (1) taxes weren't so outrageously high and (2) the quality of public education were better. Let's face it, by the large, our population isn't that well educated. In our day, very seldom is a public school education a high quality education. In my grandparents' day, from what I understand, public education was a lot more rigorous. When I was in high school, I remember my grandmother always asking me, "Where's your homework? You don't have to write nearly as many papers as I did back in the '30s." So, I kind of resent paying taxes to schools that I know are going to mismanage my hard-earned and wisely-invested money in one way or another--they're certainly not going to use the money wisely to facilitate students' learning.

I agree that public school education is abysmal in some places, but not everywhere. Just because the system needs improvement doesn't mean the need for public education ceases to exist. I understand your frustration. I think we actually agree more than it seemed at first.

[Bong477]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Yes, if it's arms-length, just show up with your sales agreement.

My assessment was adjusted down to the appraisal price, not sales price, on appeal. They differed by a few thousand. Individual results may vary.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Bong477

My assessment was adjusted down to the appraisal price, not sales price, on appeal. They differed by a few thousand. Individual results may vary.

So your appraised value was less than the sales price? Did you overpay?