Home address: 2021 N Sylvania Ave

2021 Taxable Value: $261,331  

Recent Sales Price: $168,000 – Overtaxed by 56%

Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Most market value protests are successful, typically saving the owner hundreds or thousands of dollars. Unequal appraisal appeals compare the level of assessment of your house to comparable houses, typically on a per square foot basis. Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”.  The same is true of property taxes.  If you file an appeal and attend the hearing, your chance of reducing your property taxes is excellent. 

Some homeowners do not appeal property taxes because they are not aware of this right.  You can and should protest both market value and unequal appraisal annually. It is impossible for 2,272 Texas appraisal district appraisers to track physical condition and value for over 20 million properties. One reason appraisal districts are motivated to settle protests is to maintain goodwill with the community. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car.  Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.