Lady: I would think they you have a reasonable protest to file. But I'm afraid the dealine has past. Does anyone know differently?

Like Bighorn, when I got my tax assessment in the mail this year I figured I had a valid protest and planned to do just that. But my research on home values in the neighborhood and area proved the assessment was pretty much on track. So much for my righteous wrath....

I don't have as much a problem with the assessed value as I do with the tax RATE they get away with around here. My son pays approximately $700/yr on his $85K home in OKC while I pay over $3000/yr on my $125K home. Granted, he has about a 3% state income tax but he still comes out way ahead.

It's not a matter of whether they'll get it or not, just a matter of which pocket they decide to take it out of!

Ernie

I know that the appraisal district values are for taxing purposes and not selling. We recently interviewed realtors in the area and found that all individuals brought the printed CAD (appraisal) sheets for our properties and were using the information listed as guidelines to figure the listing price. In our case, the information on the CAD sheets are incorrect about the year built, sq ft, etc. You stated below that market value is based on several factors, which I agree. (Your property is only worth what someone's willing to pay for it)When we purcahsed the home, the selling price was approx. $40,000 above CAD. FYI - I understand and know that difference between appraisal and market value.

Bighorn, you need to go back and read what I wrote. I never claimed anything that you stated.
I never said that the values were unfair. I said the tax value doesn't determine property value, which is exactly what you said.
Do you just want to argue? We are in total agreement.

Bundy: Perhaps it is YOU is is confused.

I investigated my own appraisal this year (which is up approx 50% since 2001) and found that the district is citing actual sales in a given area and comparing them. When I disputed their findings, I contacted a local realtor and looked up sales in my area. My independent research showed that I had no leg to stand on. The Appraisal District was very much in line with the selling price of homes in my area.

I'm not pleased with paying any more taxes. Tax RATES are controled by a politicians and bureucrats, not the appraisal district. Take up your complaints with the city, county, and school district to get their budgets in line.

Your premise that the appraisal drives the value has no validity. It is the other way around.

Tuscan, might I suggest a screen name change to Confused Individual, or something more appropriate?
Your tax value has no bearing on what your house is worth. The worth of your house is determined by the market, which is set by the job market, the movement of people to and from an area, the amount of available property, etc. If you don't believe me, call thhe appraisal district and have them raise the tax value on your home to $500,000. Then put it on the market for that price.
Actually, the opposite of what you believe is true. Ask any realtor, and they will tell you that a low tax value is often a good selling point for many properties. The value of a home is always going to be determined by square footage, location, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, number of living areas, updates, age, school district, etc. Nobody is ever going to feel like they got a good deal because they purchased under the tax value.
You should also familiarize yourself with what equity is. Equity is not determined by the difference between tax value and owed amount. If it was, there would be no need for an appraisal to obtain a home equity loan. When an appraisal is performed, the inspector compares your home with several similar properties. Nowhere in the loan documents is there a mention of tax value.
Please become educated on this topic. It is people like you that appraisal districts point to as verification that they are doing a swell job.

I can relate, our property went from $92,610 in 2003 to $165,080 in 2008, that's an increase of 78.25% in just 5 years. Although some may view property increases in a negative way, I on the other hand would rather see property values go up and have more equity in my home than not. I feel good about purchasing the home and the value has confirmed the house as good investing.