would you report neighbor who has pool not showing on county records? (Howe: homes, neighborhood)

[smuboy86]

It's the county's responsibility to keep the apprasials updated and correct. Would you tell the county if
you neighbor didn't have a pool and was being appraised for it? The county made an error in someone elses favor let it be.

[lifertexan]

Originally Posted by loves2read

checking some info on our country appraisal district site and noticed that one of our neighbors who have a pool--since home was built basically--do not have that info listed on their tax information--
so basically their home is undervalued by at least 40K...

would you make call to tax appraisal office without giving your name???

don't want to get in dutch with them--
but our valuation went up quite a bit and their house -- larger sq ft and lot--is valued less than ours and we DON'T have a pool...

I can't believe somebody actually had the *(whatever)* to consider doing this and would even ask this question.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by lifertexan

I can't believe somebody actually had the *(whatever)* to consider doing this and would even ask this question.

If I'm paying more property tax than my neighbor with a bigger, nicer, more valuable house, why should I have to keep quiet and take it in the shorts? This isn't the elementary school playground.

For the question at hand, it all depends on how much you like your neighbor.

I don't see any benefit in making an anonymous report. Instead, appeal your valuation and cite your neighbor as a comp. Maybe they drop your valuation, maybe they don't, and instead jack his up. Either way, you'll end up paying less tax than him, which is the fair result.

[lifertexan]

Originally Posted by Big G

If I'm paying more property tax than my neighbor with a bigger, nicer, more valuable house, why should I have to keep quiet and take it in the shorts? This isn't the elementary school playground.

For the question at hand, it all depends on how much you like your neighbor.

I don't see any benefit in making an anonymous report. Instead, appeal your valuation and cite your neighbor as a comp. Maybe they drop your valuation, maybe they don't, and instead jack his up. Either way, you'll end up paying less tax than him, which is the fair result.

How are you taking it in the shorts if your neighbors is lower because of a missing pool?You aren't.Your taxes will not go down just because your neighbors goes up.It isn't a case of the government needing a million dollars,and so if your neighbors goes up a thousand a year yours goes down by that thousand.And because yours won't go down,reporting your neighbor is just whining sour grapes.

If people were smart enough to understand the system,they would realize that reporting the neighbor will have the long term effect of causing your own taxes to go up,as the higher valued neighbors house will then be used as a comp house to compare yours to.If his value goes up,then it makes the whole neighborhood go up when he is used as a comp.All because "it isn't fair".

I hope I never have such whiny crybaby neighbors.

[galore]

Originally Posted by Big G

Instead, appeal your valuation and cite your neighbor as a comp. Maybe they drop your valuation, maybe they don't, and instead jack his up. Either way, you'll end up paying less tax than him, which is the fair result.

Not my experience.

My home in crappy condition (in fact, it is now slated for demolition next week) is appraised at $129/sf. My neighbors home in really good condition is appraised at $91/sf.

The "commission" laughed me out of the room when I tried to appeal. Their commend was "tough luck".

[DaveG99]

snitches get stitches

[needsomeinfo]

if you want to fight on the grounds that your assessment is unfair compared to others in your neighborhood, go for it. but I would not call and rat them out.

[artsyguy]

Remember when teachers said to mind your own business? That was a valuable skill I learned in school.

[Big G]

Originally Posted by DaveG99

snitches get stitches

I just don't get people who spout this quote. Do you really subscribe to this philosophy? Would you really never report anything to the authorities? Where do you draw the line?

If your neighbor were growing pot in the backyard?
If he were abusing his kids?
If he parked on the street the wrong way?


When my neighborhood was being built, I called the cops two or three times when I saw people pilfering the construction sites. But apparently, I should be physically beaten for doing so.

[mmac12]

Wow Really... I can't believe that someone would even think of doing this. Thank you, I am so glad you don't live anywhere near me !!!