Property Tax Debacle
As an agent, you’ve gotten that phone call, “why does my tax bill say this or that and why is it so high?” right? Sure you have. I’m not sure of national options for the appeals process, but Washington-based site ValueAppeal.com claims to streamline and simplify the complicated with their free “assessment analyzer.”
At least for agents in Washington, this seems to be the answer to the “what do I do about this insane tax bill?” phone call that happens at least once a year. Without raising your liability, freaking your broker out or your having to pull comps for free, you can send homeowners to a site that simplifies the appeals process (or may help them understand that their assessment is actually on target and correct).
For those outside of WA, do you know of any appeals sites in your own area?
AgentGenius.com does not have a financial relationship with ValueAppeal.com.
Jason Sandquist
July 14, 2009 at 9:20 am
Any ideas if they are planning to be in all fifty? They started following me the other day on Twitter and thought it was a nice tool. Not sure if it is accurate or not but fills a void.
ValueAppeal
July 14, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Thanks for mentioning us Lani! We actually have plans for an affiliate program so realtors can actually earn referral fees for sending clients our way.
Jason- Yes, we plan on rolling out our service across the country 1 county at a time. If you have a vote for a particular county let us know.
Joe Loomer
July 15, 2009 at 9:52 am
Jump across the country and start next in Georgia!
Our county website has all the procedures for appealing your tax assessment, and the adjacent county – home to the actual city of Augusta – has already stated they will not raise values this year.
Georgia’s State Assembly did not fund the Home Tax Relief Grant this year – the vessel for homestead exemptions ($200-$300 tax reduction), so our taxes are all going up without the need for increasing the value of the property. Smoke and mirrors – more state tax revenue without having to defend higher property valuation in a stagnant housing market.
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
Matt Thomson
July 15, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Apparently they’re not in all of Washington yet. I entered my address and got a message that they don’t cover my area of the country yet.