Property Tax Appeals: Protesting Your Taxes

 

Did the county tax district overvalue your home?

Sometimes, as a property owner, you get an unwanted surprise in the mail telling you your taxes are going up, and sometimes it may seem as though your assessment is too high. What can you do?

Most of Texas’s appraisal districts determine your property tax burden based on an ad valorem assessment of the property’s value. This is generally done through a process called “mass appraisal”.  While this process works to value many thousands of homes within a short timeframe, it can be subject to inaccuracies, as many appraisal districts are unaware of changes to each individual property.

 Mass Appraisal: The process of valuing a universe of properties as of a given date using standard methodology, employing common data, and allowing for statistical testing. (USPAP, 2020-2021 ed.) Often associated with real property tax assessment valuation.

 – The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal, 7th Edition

 

Often, matters like this can be resolved with a phone call. Particularly if you have incorrectly listed information on your assessor’s property record for your home.  However, if after discussing your assessment with your local taxing authority you still feel as though your property was overvalued, a professional, independent, third-party appraiser is often your best bet in proving your case. That’s where we come in.

There are as many different procedures for appealing assessments as there are property taxing districts, so it’s important to enlist the help of a professional appraisal firm that’s experienced and trained in the ins and outs of your particular jurisdiction.

 

At Aegis Appraisals, we work with homeowners, Realtors® and tax professionals to provide accurate valuations for property tax disputes.

If you are preparing to protest your county’s appraised value, you should:

1

First, speak with your county’s Central Appraisal District to identify their established tax protest process.

2

Schedule a hearing, if necessary, then hire an appraiser to provide a professional opinion of value.

3

Present your professional, independent appraisal at your hearing.

Sometimes, you will have a hearing on your assessment appeal and will need for the appraiser you’ve hired to testify on your behalf. Be assured that at Aegis Appraisals, we are able to professionally and persuasively testify at appeal hearings.  Browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered.

Please note: It makes sense to do your own research before determining whether to go forward with a property assessment appeal, especially before you make the decision to hire a professional appraiser.

However, according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), we are not allowed to take “shortcuts” — i.e., your research — and use it on its face as part of our independent valuation. When you hire us for an assessment appeal, you’re commissioning an independent, third-party professional appraisal report.

As such, we do our own valuation, beginning to end. If you’re right that your property has been overvalued, an independent report such as ours will be even more persuasive than any other evidence you can marshal on your own — but it depends on our ability to do the work independently.

Great company
Jackie M. of Cypress, TX
09/19/2022
Great company
Jackie M
Jackie M. of Cypress, TX
09/19/2022
Great service for a great price. Received my appraisal in less than 48 hours. Will use again.
Daniel R. of Conroe, TX
12/04/2022
Great service for a great price. Received my appraisal in less than 48 hours. Will use again.
Daniel R
Daniel R. of Conroe, TX
12/04/2022
Management is informative, knowledgeable, and professional. Would definitely recommend!
Ben G. of Nashville, TN
8/28/2020
Management is informative, knowledgeable, and professional. Would definitely recommend!
Ben G. of Nashville, TN
8/28/2020
Get an appraisal! From Aegis! Their appraisal helped reduce the assessed value $46K on my home. I was a 1st time protester of an appraisal district.
Ted Norris of Huntsville, TX
8/31/2020
Get an appraisal! From Aegis! Their appraisal helped reduce the assessed value $46K on my home. I was a 1st time protester of an appraisal district.
Ted Norris of Huntsville, TX
8/31/2020
Quick response measuring home sq feet. Accurate and good value
Anonymous of Spring, TX
5/9/2016
Quick response measuring home sq feet. Accurate and good value
Anonymous of Spring, TX
5/9/2016
Would definitely recommend. Steven is great and very helpful if you have any questions or concerns regarding appraisal report. Will be using again.
Jason B. of Houston, TX
5/31/2016
Would definitely recommend. Steven is great and very helpful if you have any questions or concerns regarding appraisal report. Will be using again.
Jason B. of Houston, TX
5/31/2016
Competent. Prompt. Personable. Responsive.
Phil S. of Bellaire, TX
10/16/2016
Competent. Prompt. Personable. Responsive.
Phil S. of Bellaire, TX
10/16/2016
They actually measure the inside and the outside each and every corner of the wall . you're going to get a very accurate appraisal
Racheal G. of Houston, TX
1/22/2017
They actually measure the inside and the outside each and every corner of the wall . you're going to get a very accurate appraisal
Racheal G. of Houston, TX
1/22/2017
I am a Real Estate Broker. The first time I worked with Aegis, they were assigned to appraise one of my listings. From speaking with him, I could tell Steven was so thorough, that I kept his information for future needs. He is an excellent appraiser and a wealth of knowledge. If I am stuck on pricing a home, I ...
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Erica H. of Houston, TX
4/10/2017
I am a Real Estate Broker. The first time I worked with Aegis, they were assigned to appraise one of my listings. From speaking with him, I could tell Steven was so thorough, that I kept his information for future needs. He is an excellent appraiser and a wealth of knowledge. If I am stuck on pricing a home, I know they will do an excellent job appraising it!
Erica H. of Houston, TX
4/10/2017
Excellent customer service. They took the time to answer all my questions at the time of the appraisal. After I received my appraisal they then walked me through the appraisal explaining how they determined the value of my home and again answering any questions along the way. The cost of their services is well worth the confidence that I have ...
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Anonymous of Spring, TX
5/5/2017
Excellent customer service. They took the time to answer all my questions at the time of the appraisal. After I received my appraisal they then walked me through the appraisal explaining how they determined the value of my home and again answering any questions along the way. The cost of their services is well worth the confidence that I have going forward in the sale my home.
Anonymous of Spring, TX
5/5/2017
They did a fast and efficient job
Steve C. of Kingwood, TX
8/4/2017
They did a fast and efficient job
Steve C. of Kingwood, TX
8/4/2017
Prompt and efficient, had quote the next day, very satisfied
Harry B. of Houston, TX
10/17/2017
Prompt and efficient, had quote the next day, very satisfied
Harry B. of Houston, TX
10/17/2017
Used their services to get an appraisal to successfully contest the appraisal district's inflated appraisal
Jeff H. of Conroe, TX
8/21/2022
Used their services to get an appraisal to successfully contest the appraisal district's inflated appraisal
Jeff H. of Conroe, TX
8/21/2022
-Prompt to respond to questions / comments -were able to complete appraisal in a timely manner
Diane M. of Tomball, TX
08/22/2022
-Prompt to respond to questions / comments -were able to complete appraisal in a timely manner
Diane M. of Tomball, TX
08/22/2022
Incredibly professional. Knew the market and was very detailed. I have worked with many appraisers over the years but none have been as good as Aegis and Steven Weber.
Jon G. of Magnolia, TX
10/3/2021
Incredibly professional. Knew the market and was very detailed. I have worked with many appraisers over the years but none have been as good as Aegis and Steven Weber.
Jon G. of Magnolia, TX
10/3/2021
Very courteous & professional!
Tim Benge
11/16/2021
Very courteous & professional!
Tim Benge
11/16/2021
Excellent service, very knowledgeable and very friendly guys 5 ⭐️
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D Hermosa
2021
Excellent service, very knowledgeable and very friendly guys 5 ⭐️
D Hermosa
2021
Extremely professional, accurate, and easy to work with. They went above and beyond to help me make an educated decision as a first-time homebuyer. One of the friendliest companies I've come across!
Benjamin G of Cypress, TX
8/16/2022
Extremely professional, accurate, and easy to work with. They went above and beyond to help me make an educated decision as a first-time homebuyer. One of the friendliest companies I've come across!
extremely professional
Benjamin G of Cypress, TX
8/16/2022
These guys are awesome. Julius has been extremely informative and most helpful in very quick timelines. They are my go to. Thank you guys for being so good at your jobs!
Michael Owens
8/21/2022
These guys are awesome. Julius has been extremely informative and most helpful in very quick timelines. They are my go to. Thank you guys for being so good at your jobs!
Michael Owens
8/21/2022