Any reason why I shouldn't file property tax appeal myself?

[pruebas]

Originally Posted by peoj

Thanks. So the local assessor will be the one to decide if it needs a hearing or not? Did you contact the assessor before you filed or were they the one to contact you after you filed?

I filled out the online form, paid the fee via CC, and was soon contacted by my city assessor. They will usually offer you something, which you can accept or reject (or possibly counter, as I did). If you reject it, you will receive notice from the county as to your hearing date (usually later in the summer). If you accept the assessor’s offer, you sign the forms (online), they go up the approval chain within the city, and you’re done. You may still get the county notice (I did), but you can ignore it.

The assessor has to be able to justify her/his decision, so s/he will be very careful with documentation.

[ice_mike1234]

Originally Posted by Seduflow

use a lawyer! it does not cost you anything, they just take 50% of the savings. we used a laywer, was a great experience. the truth is that lawyers get treated better

what happens if you go this route, but then sell your house? do you need to pay savings up front?

[foodyum]

Originally Posted by ice_mike1234

what happens if you go this route, but then sell your house? do you need to pay savings up front?

The lawyers would need to be paid for their work. Maybe you could negotiate a payment plan if they were flexible.

[peoj]

Originally Posted by ice_mike1234

what happens if you go this route, but then sell your house? do you need to pay savings up front?

Lawyer only charges 50% of first year savings. You don't have to pay the lawyer every year.

[peoj]

Update for anyone interested: I went ahead and filed the appeal myself. Got an initial offer that was 2/5 of the reduction I asked for. Called the assessor to discuss. I ask for his reasoning and found out he didn't realize I had a corner lot. After adjusting for that he upped the offer to 75% of what I requested which I accepted.