TAX PROTEST. Wait 'til next year (Howe: house, live in, assessments)

[sanmiguel]

We live in Hyde Park where most homes received lower initial assessments than last year but ours went up 20K. Our neighbors with much larger homes are assessed as much as 70k below ours. Only after the protest hearing did I learn that our home is "classified" higher than all the others on the block irrespective of size or appearance. Ours is WS5- while the others are WV4+. The homes are all over 70 years old and, as far as I know, have been upgraded with HVAC and kitchen improvements. I haven't been given a clear explanation as to why our home is treated differently from the rest and have been told that I have to wait until next year to petition for re-classification and that it is not a simple process. Has anyone here been in this situation and can offer any tips? TIA

[say]

I guess your house is classified higher than others because they have in their records you have a new kitchen.

However, if you feel that it's not fair compared to your neighbors then don't wait until next year.

Travis County Appraisal hearing is just a joke. ( both informal and formal ).

You can keep go on with an arbitrator who will be more fair in appraising your property. You need to deposit up front $500 to the state office. You and the Travis Appraisal office will agree on who will be the arbitrator. If the arbitrator comes up with the figure closed to your number then the Travis office will pay the appraisal fee and the state reimburse you $450 ( you still pay $50 for the process fee ).

I have a friend who lives in Lake Way. Her property last year was given the number very much higher than her neighbors. She's really frustrated with both the hearings, and decided to go with the arbitrator. They came out to redo all measurements, reassess the house, and finally her house was appraised down almost $100k ( from $600K range to $500k ).