I haven't protested in a few years and was wondering which method I should use/do.

1. Online protest
2. Formal protest
3. Hire a company

Please let me know your reasoning and any other helpful info THANKS!!!!

Online was easy for me last year...not sure it was the best.

I basically researched the value per sq ft of my immediate area and put in a summary in the small text box. I also mailed my supporting data to them.

They dropped my value about $3,000. I think I was asking for a drop of $15,000. IIRC, they took a MUCH larger sampling (as in thousands of homes) and basically said I was right on par with everyone else. They can grab whatever data they want and make it look however they want to make their case.

It was the first time I had ever protested so I have nothing to base my results on.

[This message has been edited by bikerack (edited 3/24/2009 8:57a).]

i don't feel like i get the best service and attention from O'connor. i think they're too big to care too much about me.

i know some folks that have hired a woman that does protests on your behalf as a side job in the spring/summer and only has something like twenty clients. i think she's a realtor too. that's the kind of person i'd like to hire.

Ducks...
I agree, O'Conner takes 50% which means you still pay the same amount right? I received a flyer from another Atty doing the same thing at a 60-40 rate. i might use him this year.

well it's a one time 50% charge, so in theory, you avoid paying future taxes on the amount they're able to reduce.

I did the online thing last year. I researched everything within +/- 200sf of my home, similar condition, grade, lot size, etc. They will send you an email with a minor adjustment offer, and you will probably have to take it to a hearing anyway.

I went to my hearing and presented my evidence. I essentially used HCAD's own numbers against them. The board dropped my market appraisal by almost $20K.

imo, for what you might end up paying someone to do it, it's not that hard to do on your own.

[This message has been edited by Ryan the Temp (edited 3/24/2009 10:08a).]

My mother is debating what to do.

2 houses down is a home which really does bring down the property value. If I get a chance this week I may go over there and take some pics just so you can see how bad it is.

This house has the potential to be worth a lot, but no. Falling apart, ill repair, backyard is overgrown, truck that may or may not be on blocks.

To me the process is bogus. There is no real apprasial as others have stated just a computer program.

I wish that you could hire a "real" appraiser and that you both had to live with the results. Would this help is you paid for a real appraisal and brought this as evidence? My house is an older house that doesn't have many updates ie kitchen bath etc. There is no way I could even get 80% of what they have my house appraised for on the open market.

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There is no real apprasial as others have stated just a computer program.

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Thanks for mentioning this, as it is absolutely correct. In fact, they often use photos of each property that are several years old.

When I protested last year, a major factor was that HCAD's records with regard to the condition and grade of my home were inconsistent with statements made in writing during my 2007 protest (records said "good" hearing officer said "below average".

During my research, I was able to identify a rough percentage that each grade or condition adjustment affected the appraisal and presented it during my hearing. The HCAD representative changed a couple of drop down menu selections on my records and came up with a new number on the spot. It's all an algorithm.

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Would this help is you paid for a real appraisal and brought this as evidence?

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Unlikely. A fee appraiser could easily be swayed to use the lower of the available comps, if asked. Just as he can use the higher of those available for a lender, if needed.

Not to mention your cost involved would be ~$250-300. So you'd have to reduce your value ~$10K just to break even, IF it was used as credible evidence.

In more cases that not, this wouldnt be economical or efficient.

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When I protested last year, a major factor was that HCAD's records with regard to the condition and grade of my home were inconsistent with statements made in writing during my 2007 protest (records said "good" hearing officer said "below average".

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Thats because, like you said, they use a CAMA system. In order to achieve equity, they've got to use grades/conditions/etc consistent with the age/neighborhood/etc. The protest season is a vehicle for them to generally identify the outliers.

what complicates it is they arbitrarily assign you your "grade, utility, condition, etc." then they comp you with similarly statused properties. so you find supposed comps and they tell you your comps have different categorical ratings and, therefore arent legitimate comps. then, when you go to protest your assigned stati, the flunkies say: oh, that's not up for discussion. very flawed process.

That's exactly why I ran a spreadsheet of similar properties and grouped them by grade and condition. I was able to calculate the average change in value if each of those were raised or lowered. I then calculated the value per SF, applied that value to my property. It led me to ask for a ~$25K reduction in valuation, and the review board gave me a ~$20K reduction.

And btw - the City has a great GIMS application online that allows you to print a map of your neighborhood with all the HCAD account numbers overlayed on each parcel for easy reference.

RTT - we've got something similar: my father wrote a program that overlays the hcad dbase (you can get it on cd upon request) into a neighborhood mapping system, assigns all of the HCAD properties to each property, then lets you run reports for whatever criteria you need and presents a color coded map (lot by lot) of the neighborhood per your report criteria. its pretty slick. unfortunately the flunkies theyve got down there are working for HCAD for a reason - many arguments go right over their heads.

Does anyone have an idea what the chances are of them asking me what I paid for my place if I bought it 5 years ago? My improved price/square foot is BS...but I hate to dispute them myself and have that question come up. (The appraisal is still lower than what I paid)

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what the chances are of them asking me what I paid for my place if I bought it 5 years ago?

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Slim.

I was going to say nearly zero. Relevance of the purchase price has a lifetime of 2 years max.

They can and will ask you how much you paid for your property. You should never answer that question if it does not help you in any way. You just say "I am not certain and rather not make a guess"

Also:

I've mentioned this on this board 100 times...I work for a commercial real estate company...We give 100% of our business to American Property Tax Co. They are by far the best operation in Houston and do small houses to Fortune 500 companies. They have a team of 5 people and do such a good job that they have earned all our business.

Call Hanson @ 281-240-0101 or email him at hansongilan@gmail.com (Tell him NAGHAVI & Co. referred you and he'll treat you VERY well.)

[This message has been edited by TAMUAGGIES (edited 3/25/2009 10:22a).]

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And btw - the City has a great GIMS application online that allows you to print a map of your neighborhood with all the HCAD account numbers overlayed on each parcel for easy reference.

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RTT - Thanks for the heads up on GIMS. Looks like a pretty useful tool. Any other tools that would be useful for fighting property taxes?

BTW, I looked up the construction report for a street - was wondering what "Midtown Bus Pads" refers to/means? (Project 512393)