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2024 Property Tax Season

43,938 Views | 282 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by jaggiemaggie
Sea Speed
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In reply to drumboy • 7:54p, 7/3/24
AG
drumboy said:
Sea Speed said:
Honestly my valuation would probably have been about 100k less now that I think about it had the seller not given that info. All of the comps were around 100k less, but there's nothing 1:1 out here. Very frustrating. Total boomer move.

Were you protesting based on sales comps or U&E?


I had it all. I had evidence that other similar houses were assessed significantly lower, I had evidence to change the condition of my home and I had sales comps. Then they told me that with my sales price they couldn't justify it. I asked where they got the number they think the home sold for and they told me the sellers sent the closing docs in to them. I told them it is a scummy tactic to solicit that info from sellers on official looking documents as if it were mandatory to report. They were going to change the condition code but then backed off of that and gave me a 3% reduction for depreciation.

This was my first time going at it alone and I thought I had pretty good evidence, especially to adjust the condition of my home, but no dice. Really really pissed at the sellers because that will cost me thousands over the years.
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lkx398
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10:09p, 7/15/24
AG
First time HCAD protester here... my value went up to the max 10% from last year.

I filed on May 14th and opted-in for the iSettle process using two comp's provided by my realtor friend. On May 28th I received evidence from HCAD and on July 3rd I was notified HCAD scheduled an informal meeting for July 22nd. Could I still possibly receive an iSettle offer, or has that ship sailed?
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mh86Ag
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In reply to lkx398 • 10:16p, 7/15/24
AG
I had a similar situation. They rejected my requested offer and I had an informal meeting. I presented my evidence and they disagreed, but said I can still accept my initial valuation which is what I ended up doing.

If you don't accept it, then you can go to the formal hearing.
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stroodles
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11:43a, 7/16/24
AG
Just got done with my formal review.

That entire process is fixed before any property owner even sets foot into the building. Complete waste of time, and I'm convinced its just a giant cabal against tax paying citizens. All of my evidence was completely disregarded and the entire "impartial" (see joke) board agreed with the districts valuation. F-em all over there - there isn't a person over there was a fiber of ethics.

And people wonder why the average citizen hates the govt - here's your perfect example. What amazing is the left wants to give people similar to those sacks of s**t more power. Simply amazing there are people that want more govt in their life.

Has anyone had a board go with a valuation other than what the district "appraiser" (see thief) provided? I never have in all of my years of protesting. The fix is in - take your medicine peasant!

There are very few groups that I have a lower opinion of than the kleptos that work at 13013 NW Freeway.
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YellAg2004
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In reply to stroodles • 12:22p, 7/16/24
AG
Sorry it went that way for you. Your experience pretty much mirrors mine, which is why after going through that dog and pony show once, I decided that I would never fight it to another ARB hearing again. Take what you can get in the informal or iSettle and just call it a day.

You could have the most clear and compelling evidence ever seen and the idiots on the panel will be too dumb to understand it or to much in bed with the appraiser to accept it.
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slavy06
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In reply to stroodles • 1:40p, 7/16/24
AG
I gave up on doing mine after protesting by myself (with pretty good success) over the past 7 years then the previous 2 years getting absolutely railroaded by the ARB. I hired it out to a firm for the first time ever this year and my initial 2024 market value was up by ~3% from 2023 and they got it down to a 5.5% reduction.

So much less stress not having to deal with those scumbags at HCAD, but I'm not convinced it's all part of the gig to make sure tax protest firms stay in business.
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Red Pear Realty
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In reply to slavy06 • 7:43p, 7/16/24
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AG
slavy06 said:
So much less stress not having to deal with those scumbags at HCAD, but I'm not convinced it's all part of the gig to make sure tax protest firms stay in business.

This is 100% how it works. Guys work at the appraisal district. Retire. Start their own business. Argue in front of their old buddies. Win. Get paid. Then in a few years those guys retire and strike out and do the same thing.

The biggest question in my mind is (and I think I know the answer):

Does the appraisal district hit homes with professional representation with higher value increases annually than those who don't have representation? I'd really like to see that data. And if that's true, some folks need to go to prison.
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TXTransplant
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In reply to Red Pear Realty • 7:56p, 7/16/24
Red Pear Realty said:
slavy06 said:
So much less stress not having to deal with those scumbags at HCAD, but I'm not convinced it's all part of the gig to make sure tax protest firms stay in business.

This is 100% how it works. Guys work at the appraisal district. Retire. Start their own business. Argue in front of their old buddies. Win. Get paid. Then in a few years those guys retire and strike out and do the same thing.

The biggest question in my mind is (and I think I know the answer):

Does the appraisal district hit homes with professional representation with higher value increases annually than those who don't have representation? I'd really like to see that data. And if that's true, some folks need to go to prison.
I think they hammer anyone who successfully protests, whether they use professional representation or not.

I've always done it myself. Last year, I declined iSettle and went to the appeal board. The appraiser basically gave me the number I was looking for, which was significantly less than my iSettle offer.

This year, my market value was increased the most of anyone else on my street - over 22%. But, most of my neighbors didn't protest their increase last year. So, this year's increase looks much more modest on their properties.

After my experience last year, I hired a company to do it for me this year. My case hasn't been settled. I know at least one other person on my street uses the same company, and her value hasn't changed, either. Three houses on my street have seen decreases from their original 2024 market value, but those decreases have been pretty modest and are still about 13-15% higher than my 2023 market value.
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aggiemike02
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12:31p, 8/1/24
AG
I guess successful ARB's do exist. had ours yesterday, HCAD presented no data and agreed with my recommended market value. so i'll take that win.

as a plus and somewhat surprise, the ARB personnel were actually quite down to earth and nice.
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Martin Q. Blank
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In reply to aggiemike02 • 1:10p, 8/1/24
aggiemike02 said:
I guess successful ARB's do exist. had ours yesterday, HCAD presented no data and agreed with my recommended market value. so i'll take that win.

as a plus and somewhat surprise, the ARB personnel were actually quite down to earth and nice.
I wouldn't say that's a successful ARB. I've had the appraiser at the meeting agree with my argument and suggest a new value, but I've never had an ARB overrule the appraiser and agree with me.
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K Bo
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3:01p, 8/1/24
AG
Used Haidamous again this year and my +6.5% went to -3.5%
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SnowboardAg
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8:21p, 8/1/24
AG
Brief update on me. HCAD labeled me a remodel for adding a patio, said I renovated the whole interior of the home including bathrooms and kitchen (I didn't), and on my patio they said I enclosed and air conditioned more than half of it, which I didn't. Down right lack of integrity by the appraiser, if not fraudulent. With some good help, got them to reduce it 140k. Bring a flat sales tax (even on home purchases) and fire them all. If only common sense prevailed instead of this being an occupation.
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Mr. McGibblets
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In reply to K Bo • 10:20p, 8/1/24
AG
K Bo said:
Used Haidamous again this year and my +6.5% went to -3.5%
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FarmerJohn
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In reply to K Bo • 8:46a, 8/2/24
AG
K Bo said:
Used Haidamous again this year and my +6.5% went to -3.5%

Roughly same things for me too, though I didn't have the exact number in front of me.
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The Wonderer
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11:26a, 8/5/24
AG
Used Haidamous as well and dropped from +7.86% to +2.38%.

*I'm a lawyer, but not your lawyer. This is not legal advice and an attorney-client relationship does not exist between you and me*
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TexCOAg
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2:54p, 9/16/24
AG
Has anyone attempted to file an appeal or request arbitration after an unsuccessful formal ARB hearing? If so, is this something you can do yourself or does it require hiring a lawyer?

I had a very straightforward argument simply based on unequal appraisal (uniform and equal), and as many people here have found, they simply ignored what I presented and immediately sided with HCAD appraiser who was using recent sales. My understanding is they must not appraise your property value greater than other comparable property appraisals in your neighborhood (after using HCAD's own adjustment factors), regardless of what recent sales show.
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Dr. Venkman
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In reply to TexCOAg • 2:59p, 9/16/24
AG
I did binding arbitration last year and was successful. We settled before going before the arbiter.
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TexCOAg
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In reply to Dr. Venkman • 3:02p, 9/16/24
AG
Good to hear. Did you hire legal representation or is it possible to DIY?
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Dr. Venkman
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In reply to TexCOAg • 3:12p, 9/16/24
AG
No, I did it DIY.
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pnut02
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In reply to TexCOAg • 7:50a, 9/17/24
AG
How many comparables did you provide?
I only used one (my neighbor with the same HCAD factors / no adjustments) and the 3 person ARB didn't use my data at all. The value the three of them "individually" came up with was the same exact number - also the same number the informal person tried to get me to accept. Very fishy.
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htxag09
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In reply to TexCOAg • 10:44a, 9/17/24
AG
TexCOAg said:
Has anyone attempted to file an appeal or request arbitration after an unsuccessful formal ARB hearing? If so, is this something you can do yourself or does it require hiring a lawyer?

I had a very straightforward argument simply based on unequal appraisal (uniform and equal), and as many people here have found, they simply ignored what I presented and immediately sided with HCAD appraiser who was using recent sales. My understanding is they must not appraise your property value greater than other comparable property appraisals in your neighborhood (after using HCAD's own adjustment factors), regardless of what recent sales show.
Had this happened to me as well. I was absolutely furious.

I mean 1, you have the right to protest based on unequal appraisal and they just threw that out window. Said "well, the values aren't set yet so I can't use those comps." 2, my unequal appraisal comps were significantly better than theirs. They had comps with larger lots, more bedrooms, new builds when mine was 15 years old, etc. I had 5 unequal appraisal comps that were literally the same builder, same year, same floorplan, etc.

I just decided to not deal with them myself from that point forward. Took too much of my headspace. I'll just let McGibllets do it from here on out.
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TexCOAg
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In reply to pnut02 • 2:57p, 9/17/24
AG
10 comps
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schmellba99
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1:20p, 9/19/24
AG
Just heard on the radio that the Harris county commissioners will be voting to increase property taxes by 8% this year. Not sure which one they interviewed, but he made no bones about the fact that "he hoped to see the increase pass".

Houston city council is likely to increase them as well, even with Whitmeyer trying to do the right thing and cut budgets first.

They are using a loophole in the system that allows for a higher increase if there are declared disasters in the county.
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YellAg2004
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In reply to schmellba99 • 2:04p, 9/19/24
AG
schmellba99 said:
Just heard on the radio that the Harris county commissioners will be voting to increase property taxes by 8% this year. Not sure which one they interviewed, but he made no bones about the fact that "he hoped to see the increase pass".

Houston city council is likely to increase them as well, even with Whitmeyer trying to do the right thing and cut budgets first.

They are using a loophole in the system that allows for a higher increase if there are declared disasters in the county.
Heard the same thing. The guy you heard comment on it was a Houston City Council member (maybe Joaquin Martinez?) that wants the COH to do the same and would be ready to vote on it now.

I said this in another thread, but it bears repeating...I really can't believe that Bettencourt et al didn't see this glaring loophole and realize that the dems would exploit it. I would fully expect them to close the loophole in the next session, but that doesn't protect us from this next increase.
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aTm2004
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5:04p, 9/19/24
AG
**** these *******s.

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Martin Q. Blank
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5:22p, 9/19/24
Hey, we're all affected by inflation, the county included.
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Mucho austin
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In reply to Martin Q. Blank • 6:04p, 9/19/24
AG
We are more affected by over spending and mismanagement of funds.
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Anastasia Beaverhaven
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11:22a, 9/20/24
This should piss everyone off but there's little activity on this thread.

Looking at an 18% property tax increase if you live in COH once the city council approves theirs. Prop taxes are already astronomical here.
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schmellba99
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In reply to Anastasia Beaverhaven • 1:50p, 9/20/24
AG
Anastasia Beaverhaven said:
This should piss everyone off but there's little activity on this thread.

Looking at an 18% property tax increase if you live in COH once the city council approves theirs. Prop taxes are already astronomical here.
And the city morons (officials) will all be whining about how tax revenue is down next year, etc.

Same old story.
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Diggity
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In reply to Anastasia Beaverhaven • 3:06p, 9/20/24
AG
Where are you seeing an 18% increase?
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Bigballin
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9:31p, 9/20/24
AG
Stolen elections have consequences
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I Am A Critic
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In reply to Bigballin • 9:50p, 9/20/24
Bigballin said:
Stolen elections have consequences


Not as much as ****ty candidates and poorly run campaigns.
Username checks out.
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Bigballin
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In reply to I Am A Critic • 10:15p, 9/20/24
AG
I Am A Critic said:
Bigballin said:
Stolen elections have consequences


Not as much as ****ty candidates and poorly run campaigns.


Right. Never mind the corrupt election officials and insufficient amounts of ballots in republican areas for the county.
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LuoJi
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In reply to Martin Q. Blank • 10:13a, 9/21/24
Martin Q. Blank said:
Hey, we're all affected by inflation, the county included.


Thieves. I hope they all get what's coming to them.
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aTm2004
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In reply to LuoJi • 4:01p, 9/21/24
AG
LuoJi said:
Martin Q. Blank said:
Hey, we're all affected by inflation, the county included.


Thieves. I hope they all get what's coming to them.

They're going to get re-elected because their voting base a ****ing morons and will believe the lone Republican who voted against it was the reason for it.
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