Grieving taxes - DIY (sale, refinancing, house)

[NYGirl128]

We grieved our taxes successfully two years ago. We used a service but the rate has gone through the roof. Since our last grievance, we've refinanced our home and the bank appraisal was ~15% lower. The appraisal is about a year old at this point.

Can we use the refinancing appraisal and do the grievance ourself? Has anyone done their own grievance and willing to share any tips or pitfalls?

[Bluidblonde]

In the town I used to live in within Northern Westchester, you were able to use an appraisal. It had to be current.

[kluedesigns]

you never need someone to do this service for you.

its extremely simple. call your tax district for the fine details since they might be different from where i live in northern westchester but this is what i had to do.

1. an appraisal within 6 months of tax hearing. if you need another appraisal or don't have one the office can give you a phone number of people to work with in your area.
2. fill out the form for the hearing.
3. show up for your date.

for me it was an extremely quick and simple hearing. they looked at the appraisal value, felt the house was worth about $15,000 more then what the appraiser said and told me thats what your taxes will be based on going forward.

the tax reduction in dollars came to $6,000 for the year.

[jjinla]

If you bought within the past 6 months, can't you grieve based on your sale price assuming it wasn't in distress?

I don't want to use my bank's appraisal since they included homes much closer to the water so it's higher than what we paid.

[adamscott6060]

What was the rate of the service you used?

[hilltopjay]

If you have your house appraised for a refinance, and say your house comes back higher what you paid for it, does the appraised house value become public record and does the city/county get wind of the increase appraisal and raise your taxes?

[medwar19]

I did my own grievance. Was so simple. 2 page form from the town hall. Got an appraisal and listed some of my neighbors tax rates found on zillow. Got a 45% reduction, no fees.