Home address: 2404 Bay Manor St

2021 Taxable Value: $285,060

Recent Sales Price: $215,775 – Over-taxed by 32%

Half or more of Texas home owners are paying more than their fair share of property taxes. Market value property tax appeals save home owners an average of $500, according to Texas Comptroller Glen Hager, for 2019. Unequal appraisal appeals are valid when the assessment is below market value. Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”.  The same is true of property taxes.  If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent.

Some homeowners believe “you can’t fight city hall.”  But property owners win 60 to 80% of property tax appeals. One reason it is difficult for appraisal districts to correctly value homes is they are not homogenous.  Some have been remodeled and some haven’t. Appraisal districts aggressively settle appeals since they have only 65 days to settle most of the appeals. Property taxes are the largest tax most Texans face.  But it is a stealth tax hidden in the mortgage payment, disguising the size of property taxes paid.