Getting your home appraised

[mattthecat]

How does someone go about getting your home appraised?  it's for the 2024 proposed value notice.  does anyone know how to hire an appraiser that won't charge you a lot? thanks 

[GailL1]

@mattthecat 

I assume you are talking about the value on your home as presented by your local tax assessor which in turn determines your property taxes.

You do not have to hire an appraiser - that’s for somebody wanting to sell their home.  

If you think the tax assessed value of your home (and property) is incorrect, your locality should have a process for doing this and it is usually quite simple - just look up the rules to dispute the tax assessed value of your home (and property) on the tax assessors website for the locality where you live to get all the details.  You do need to make sure that you also follow the deadlines set for such a purpose also.

A property tax assessor will be looking at several things about your home and property and how it compares to those around you.  

So 1st make sure that your property record is correct on the tax assessors records - square footage, number of rooms, bathrooms, garage type, if any, any unfinished areas like basement, type of septic system, type of energy used, as well as when it was constructed. any improvement and when and the value attached to those at the time.  Just everything about your home (and property).  I say property too because some folks also have acreage rather than just a lot size.

Once you know the record is correct about your home (and property), then you can look at the recent sales of homes and property in your area.  

You can also look for any negatives about your home and property that would subtract from the value - like the topography - lot isn’t flat or there is an abundance of rock or if the home is in a lot of disrepair or maybe it just needs a new roof.

I am sure that your county (or locality) tax assessors can help you - they can explain why the value is how they have set it.  It is based on math, data and stats.  So unless there is something wrong with the data, or the stats then your appeal of the value might not go anywhere.  

Just check it - do it in a timely manner - Go ahead and file the appeal in the manner to which the laws in your area say to do it - then start gathering all the data and verifying it.  

The Board of Appeals in my area is set up in a hierarchy.  You can continue to appeal even up to the State Supreme Court if you wish.  In the meantime, in my area, the assessment stays as it was until all the appeals have been finalized and then your new assessment is validated.

So 1st look up the procedure in your area to file an appeal - that’s probably gonna be on the local tax assessors website.  Then just follow it along.

Good Luck  

[mattthecat]

Thank you so much for the information Matt 👍