SA property tax issues

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by deek102

with a comparison of other houses in my neighborhood and saying that I'm paying almost 20k more than I "should."

You aren't paying "20K more than you should". You may be paying taxes on 20K in value that BCAD has determined...but I highly doubt that you're actually paying 20K more in taxes. More like $400-$500 more.

[deek102]

haha, maybe I am neighbors with david robinson?!

just kidding, good catch, i'll fix it! besides correcting my word choice do you anything to add?

-- I guess I can't edit it the next day. doh!

[firstclassflyer]

[quote=deek102;8945836] do you anything to add? ;-)

/QUOTE]

Yes, it has been rumored that once one uses the sale price to protest...it can be quite difficult to win a protest during the subsequent years. Also, folks have said that BCAD tries to jack you even higher during these years...I'm sure there are exceptions though.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer[/QUOTE

Yes, it has been rumored that once one uses the sale price to protest...it can be quite difficult to win a protest during the subsequent years. Also, folks have said that BCAD tries to jack you even higher during these years...I'm sure there are exceptions though.

BAD doesn't get mad when they have lower your appraisal...they just get even again, and again...

Their motto is payback is a .....

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by deek102

Has anyone ever hired a company or individual to protest their Bexar county appraisal? BCAD didn't raise mine that badly this year, unlike years past, but I got a letter from a company out of Houston, O'Conner & Associates, with a comparison of other houses in my neighborhood and saying that I'm paying almost 20k more than I "should."

Has anyone used this particular company? If not, any recommendations? Also, I feel kind of guilty hiring this out... how does this stuff normally go over with BCAD?

The first year we lived in the house I did exactly what Bowie & sinsativ suggested -- took the sales record over there along with evidence of the amount of work I'd need to do to fix up the house.

This year I don't really have that option but if I can get my property taxes down you're dang right I want to! :-)

Quick responses are appreciated! I only have until May 31st to protest!

Thanks!

I just got a solicitation in the mail Saturday from the same Houston firm. Although my assessed value decreased slightly this year, they included some comparables in my neighborhood (all showing 2008 values) that show my property is assessed more per square foot than other comparables in my neighborhood.

It looks to be legit, and there is no fee if they cannot reduce your taxes (in fact, they'll send you a $50 gift card if they are unsuccessful). But in sending out the comparables on that spreadsheet, they just showed you their hand. Now you can take that info, obtain updated values from BCAD's website, and handle the protest yourself and save the commission. It all depends on whether you have the time (like taking a day off work) and inclination to handle the protest yourself.

One final note: Based on my observation in the past, even if you or your appointee are successful at winning a reduction this year, BCAD will likely jack the value back up next year as high or higher than they were proposing this year.

[deek102]

Originally Posted by ged_782

I just got a solicitation in the mail Saturday from the same Houston firm. Although my assessed value decreased slightly this year, they included some comparables in my neighborhood (all showing 2008 values) that show my property is assessed more per square foot than other comparables in my neighborhood.

Thanks for the reply. I got the same solicitation and I looked up the houses, using BCAD,they compared to mine. I don't think they are fair comparisons though. I think they're reaching... only 1 of the 5 has a pool -- and mine is brand spakin' new (3 yrs old).

Like you said though, it might be worth trying. I really doubt they'll get it cut down but maybe I'll get myself $50 worth of free gas!

I'm really curious about reputation of these solicitors and how the BCAD reacts to home owners hiring someone to hassle them about this stuff. If I worked for the county I probably wouldn't take kindly to'em!

[Tippylou]

Thanks for reminding me! I just sent off my protest.