I'm looking to move from Austin ETJ (2222&360) to Dripping.

There is a piece of property that I am very interested in but the county has assessed its tax value at $500,000 for 3 acres. That's $166K per acre and it's not on any body of water. Why the current owners haven't fought thisis beyond me.

I don't want to purchase this and get stuck with a ridiculous tax bill. Just can't image any property in Hays county (or Texas) is worth $166K per acre. Is this fightable?

Thanks!

Hays County is now Austin South. They've gone Looney Left.

If you purchase it, can't you show your closing documents to lower the taxable value? (Assuming it's a Lower value). I did that years ago.

If you're purchasing for less, the appraisal district should absolutely lower to the purchase price. If you're purchasing for that amount, or more, you will likely be asked what you paid for it. You don't have to answer the question, but understand that the refusal to answer will suggest that the answer is not in your favor and they will be unlikely to adjust value much.

I do believe the Hays County Appraisal District uses MLS data even though they are not supposed to. They just won't publicly use the MLS data to support their argument.

I would suggest you ask for an informal meeting with an appraiser and present your case. If you still don't like the outcome of that meeting, request a hearing with the appraisal review board, but don't bet on them understanding your case.

I presented to the Hays Appraisal Review Board earlier this year with lots of data. One of the 3 understood my case and offered to reduce the appraised value by 50%. The other 2 didn't understand at all and vetoed his proposal with nothing other than "We can't go down 50%." In hindsight, I probably would have been better off just meeting with an appraiser rather than the review board.

ned911 said:

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I'm looking to move from Austin ETJ (2222&360) to Dripping.

There is a piece of property that I am very interested in but the county has assessed its tax value at $500,000 for 3 acres. That's $166K per acre and it's not on any body of water. Why the current owners haven't fought thisis beyond me.

I don't want to purchase this and get stuck with a ridiculous tax bill. Just can't image any property in Hays county (or Texas) is worth $166K per acre. Is this fightable?

Thanks!

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It could be many reasons as to why they don't want to use a company that will fight to lower their taxes. Maybe they don't care to fight them to justify their price to sell at the price they want. Maybe they haven't gotten around to it, who knows?

Do you plan to build on it? You could always homestead when you get around to it to save on taxes. I'm also in Dripping. Where about is it?

This was in Bear Creek estates, already has a home on it but looking at Hayscad.com you can see the property tax breakdown. After looking at other properties this high land assessment value seems to be all over the county.

Makes considering getting 5+ acres just for the ag exemption worth it.