How to Protest Your Property Tax Assessment…

While there are many reasons for protesting a property tax assessment, the most common is when a home owner feels that the proposed value of his or her home is too high. Protests must be filed in writing, and in most North Texas counties, the deadline for the 2011 tax year is May 31.

Your protest should include documentation that supports your market value position, including photographs of any items needing repair. If you have recently bought your home, then you should provide a copy of your closing statement and/or a fee appraisal if one was done for financing purposes. If you have not recently purchased your home, you should provide sales comparables from a real estate professional familiar with your community.

If you need the assistance of a Realtor who specializes in your neighborhood, please contact any Virginia Cook, Realtors office. We can recommend an experienced professional who will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for you.

The CMA will provide the information on the value of comparable homes that you need for your tax assessment protest. Our associate can also provide additional information and details on how to file a property tax assessment.

But please don’t delay. The May 31 deadline is approaching quickly!