Protest Your Property Taxes

Everyone should protest their property taxes on Lake LBJ Real Estate EVERY YEAR! Tax appraisal values are going out as we speak and as you can imagine many properties are seeing a sizable increase. My recommendation is to file your protest paperwork ASAP!

Below are a few tips that will help you be successful at your hearing:

1) Don’t just complain about the increase. The board doesn’t want to hear it. They need real evidence as to why your property should be lowered.

2) Use the appraisal district website (Burnetcad.org or Llanocad.org) to search around and find similar properties to yours that have a lower valuation. On your appraisal the land and improvements are separated out so start by looking at the land value and see if other neighbors have a similar or bigger properties with lower value. Then look at improvements separately. Find homes that are similar or even newer and nicer than yours that might have a lower price per foot.

3) Take pictures of “flaws” in your property. Cracks in walls, old roof, ac, plumbing etc. The county appraiser has not been inside your house so they are simply looking at the square footage from the outside. Often times you can get your improvement value lowered by showing the home has issues that the county cannot see.

4) Even if your taxes are fixed from an over 65 exemption and the amount you pay is not changing still protest. The appraisal district uses these properties to jack up prices because they know that the owners likely will not protest. These properties are often valued above market and are used to bump everyone around.

5) Practice your presentation and stick to the facts. This is your chance to convince the panel that you are being overvalued. Don’t waste it but speak clearly, and concise, and get straight to the point. It does not need to be some long winded speech! Make your point and the shut up.

6) If you don’t get the result you want in the hearing do not be afraid to go to arbitration. I have been successful at arbitration in recent years

While I do not protest property taxes on Lake LBJ for other people I am happy to assist property owners in building their case. Reach out if I can be of assistance and GOOD LUCK!!