Home address: 3002 Maplelawn Cir

2021 Taxable Value: $496,519

Recent Sales Price: $289,000 – Over-taxed by 72%

Travis County property investors far too often pay excess property taxes. Appraisal districts are flexible on market value appeals given the large number of houses they value and that are protested. An unequal appraisal appeal is easy to prepare.  Just find neighborhood homes with a lower level of assessment (per square foot).  Summarize the data in a table. 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 property owners do not appeal due to a concern the appraisal district will want to inspect their house.  However, the appraisal district is MUCH too busy during the appeal season to even think about asking to inspect a property.  Assessors do not visit houses because of appeals. Appraisal districts use the cost approach to value houses.  It is generally considered the least reliable method of appraisal. Appraisal districts usually settle appeals at the informal hearing since it costs less and takes fewer resources. Not appealing your property taxes annually is the equivalent of volunteering to pay extra property taxes.