BCAD appraisal (San Antonio, Alamo, Terrell: school districts, deed, tax)

[grjr]

My home is 35 years old and is not in good condition. They value it at $95k (up from $85k). If I was to sell it in its current condition I'd be lucky to get $50k.

If I got a couple estimates from remodelers for what it would cost to put it in sellable shape would I be able to take those in during my appeal? If so, would that help me?

[smuboy86]

Originally Posted by ged_782

Not bad. My proposed 2015 value is 27% higher than 2010. Older home in the Northwood area.

Homes right around me that have gone up for sale in the last few years that either were in less-than-pristine condition, or were in need updates, got flipped by investors, in most cases. I have a feeling that is a factor in my increase.

We are also in the Northwood area, but so few comps that there is almost no way the city could accuratly appraise our home. An empty 1.5 acre lot on our street is listed at 500K.

[sinsativ]

Originally Posted by grjr

My home is 35 years old and is not in good condition. They value it at $95k (up from $85k). If I was to sell it in its current condition I'd be lucky to get $50k.

If I got a couple estimates from remodelers for what it would cost to put it in sellable shape would I be able to take those in during my appeal? If so, would that help me?

Yes. All information that shows your property is not comparable is admissable. The biggest problem is most people see a 10k jump each year as small, not worth fighting or disputing. Even the ones that get the big jump and they put in their disclaimer, its Froze at such and such. That freeze just means that next year they got that increase guaranteed and any higher rates they can force down your throat. People need to fight their property increases every year. Thats what makes the neighborhood values increase, So many people don't dispute, then BCAD uses those comps to raise the other peoples values. If you dispute every year, you save yourself those dollars and your neighbors. Pictures showing the wear and tear, any slab damage or real obvious degradation. The solid estimates to make your house marketable will help. If only for this year. You get it lowered and they can only go up 10% per year. Helps for the increase they'll try to stick you with each and every year.

[DerpyDerp]

$258k - $278k : another $400 in the county's pocket every year. Last year's increase was 10%. We're on the brink of being annexed by the city, so I'll be paying even more a few years from now.

[Montirob]

Originally Posted by sinsativ

The biggest problem is most people see a 10k jump each year as small, not worth fighting or disputing. Even the ones that get the big jump and they put in their disclaimer, its Froze at such and such. That freeze just means that next year they got that increase guaranteed and any higher rates they can force down your throat. People need to fight their property increases every year. Thats what makes the neighborhood values increase, So many people don't dispute, then BCAD uses those comps to raise the other peoples values. If you dispute every year, you save yourself those dollars and your neighbors.

THIS ^^^

I regularly fight the appraisal (not to be confused with what I could sell it for), but many of my neighbors do not.

By the way, my appraisal went up over 20% (Monticello Park). Yep, time to ask for the "evidence packet" again from BCAD.

[Azure110]

Hmm...my property value went up 30K but got HS capped with actual 20K increase. Doesn't make sense when it has been dropping the past 5 years.

[robinita]

We just bought our house in November and our appraisal went up 60k! It is still way under what we paid, so am I out of luck or should we still appeal? I guess it can't hurt to try...

[elnina]

Long but informative article:
INTERIM CHARGE #1: Examine the system of appraising property for tax purposes, specifically include an examination of the appeal cached version, because original link is corrupted

[SanAntonioBrit]

I'm in 78248 and ours has gone up 15% cumulatively in the last two years (10% last year; 5% this year). I'm appealing this year based on 'above market value' as a house with the exact same floor plan, same age and same condition sold for below our appraised value just a few months ago.

I am also doing - and will submit as evidence - a statistical analysis of the average increase in appraised value (corrected per sqft) in our zip code and street versus the average increase in sold price (corrected per sqft) over the last three years. This is an easy analysis that will almost definitely show that BCAD appraised values are way out of line with actual sold prices. It will take a little bit of my time, but it's a matter of principal.

The rational for appealing based on 'unequal' valuation is seriously flawed in my opinion because I believe strongly that the BCAD values in my neighborhood overall are artificially high. So comparing to your neighbors value only, without taking into account actual market value of comparable properties (i.e. sold price), is utterly incorrect and will likely result in the over-estimation of ones property value.

[WilGar]

I think it is time that the city charter or whatever is the controlling document be amended. If the property value goes up, the tax rate has to be adjusted down so that the taxing authorities do not get a revenue increase. The amount of taxes collected stays the same. If the revenues need to go up, that can happen only through a vote by the city council and we can hold them accountable.