Property Taxes

[MCP313]

Went down to city hall today for the first time since I bought my house to dispute the value they have for taxes.

In the past I just got my bill and paid it but this time I said Im actually gonna fight this since home values are at an all time low and I think I am going to win.

I think most cities/towns just send out a notice and hope nobody disputes it like me previously.

I bought my house 5 years ago unfortunately right before the market crashed but luckily I put 20% down and got a great mortgage and I have no plans on going anywhere so I really didnt get hurt by the crash besides obvious equity loss.

Any other home owners who dispute values or do you just pay the bill when you get it ?

[Yankee23]

Best thing to do if you are going to file a grievance is to make a list of other property values in your general area

All of the property values should be public knowledge and may very well be listed on a local website

You need to take into consideration when the last time the city had a reassessment and what you paid along with what your finacial institution had the property appraised at

If you have all these ducks in a row you have a solid case against the city

Good luck

[MCP313]

Originally Posted by Yankee23

Best thing to do if you are going to file a grievance is to make a list of other property values in your general area

All of the property values should be public knowledge and may very well be listed on a local website

You need to take into consideration when the last time the city had a reassessment and what you paid along with what your finacial institution had the property appraised at

If you have all these ducks in a row you have a solid case against the city

Good luck

I went today and had 5 comps of recent 2009 sales in my neighborhood and that was tough in itself with forclosures and short sales since they cant be used to make a case. Either way they said they would get back to be in a month but I paid 3k last year in taxes and they sent a notice saying they were reduced to about 2550 but I think with the case I made they should be at around 2100 and I think I will win. At worst I know they wont charge me 2550.

I think they send these things out hoping people wont contest them and until this year I was one who never contested.

[ryhenry09]

damn, I would love to pay 2500.. Freakin New York State taxes up the ass.. I pay 7200 here....

Have never disputed, although I know people who have and had success...

[dhunter]

you're not the only one

http://www.usatoday.com/money/econom...-protest_N.htm

[Steel]

Let me see its tax season and you want to know what I don't like and pay extra for. TAXES, we are taxed and then taxed and then taxed again. I can't stand paying all these taxes and the Government continues to say they have no money. So to make this long story short, I don't like being taxed.

[ZoomVT]

One thing to look out for is how they calculate taxes. For example my town used to apply a higher rate because values were based on a grand list that was about at 65% of market value. 2 years ago they changed it to apply a lower tax but based on market value.

If its not based on market value then you will have a hard time winning the challenge.

[MCP313]

Originally Posted by ryhenry09

damn, I would love to pay 2500.. Freakin New York State taxes up the ass.. I pay 7200 here....

Have never disputed, although I know people who have and had success...

Insane huh? When I was writing mortgages many years ago I dealt with people in South Carolina who tole me they paid like 600/year and then people in New York who said what you just said. Crazy to say the least....I think we are in the middle somewhere but the city of Dearborn is top notch as far as I am concerned in terms of their public service so I have no problem paying whats fair.

[patswin]

Smart of you to dispute the valuie of your home, most people don't bother and i don't understand it. Why not try to pay less taxes?