Home address: 2319 Walnut Ridge Dr

2021 Taxable Value: $200,460

Recent Sales Price: $161,000 – Over-taxed by 25%

Texas property owners can avoid paying excess property taxes by taking several basic steps. Market value property tax appeals save homeowners an average of $500, according to Texas Comptroller Glen Hager, for 2019. Unequal appraisal is a powerful tool to reduce property taxes, but many homeowners are not aware of it and don’t use it. It is difficult to persuade property owners to protest their property taxes. But 60 to 80% of those who do are successful.

Many owners do not protest because they do not understand the process. Most would appeal if they know how easy it is the high chance of success. Appraisal districts use the cost approach to value houses. It is generally considered the least reliable method of appraisal. Appraisal districts are receptive to settling property tax protests for houses at the informal level because it has only a nominal impact on the total tax base. Protesting your property taxes annually is analogous to regularly changing the oil in your car. Preventative maintenance avoids serious problems.