Home address: 4201 34Th St

 2021 Taxable Value:$184,800

 Recent Sales Price: $116,600 – Over-taxed by 58%

Appraisal district errors in setting assessed values cause Galveston County owners to pay extra taxes. Either comparable sales or condition issues at your home are useful for a market value appeal of property taxes. Unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. 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.

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 are willing to settle property tax appeals because they realize their values are not precise. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car.  Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.