My friend Jennifer Shannon created a how to video regarding this very subject and I decided to give it a go. She asked what is your square footage and my address info? She responded within a few days with comps via email for free.
What are Comps? Real estate comps are recently sold homes that are similar to the property you’re trying to buy or sell in terms of location, size, condition and features. Comps, an abbreviation of “comparable sales,” are used to determine a home’s fair market value through the sales comparison approach to pricing property.
Go to your County’s Appraisal District’s website or use your assessment value letter. For Rockwallians, I used the RCAD online protest. I filled out the online form of not agreeing with the market value. From there I entered Jennifer’s suggested amount that she include in my email and uploaded the comps she provided.
Within a few hours, I received a follow-up email from RCAD regarding my online protest. The appraiser stated, I don’t have to appear in front of the ARB and provided me a much LOWER market value for my property. Here is what I did.
To Get Started:
1. Follow Jennifer’s instructions in the video to request from her sales for 2 homes smaller, larger and 2 homes my size.
2. Go to your County’s Appraisal District’s website or use your assessment value letter for instructions. For Rockwallians, I used the RCAD online protest.
3. Fill out the online form and select you do not agreeing with the market value. Enter Jennifer’s suggested amount from her email and upload the comps provided.
3. In my experience, I received a follow-up email from the RCAD Appraiser that included a much lower property market value. To give you an idea it went from requesting $13,701 to $18,152.
4. I followed-up with the RCAD Appraiser, I agreed to sign the Settlement and Waiver via email with the lower property market value.
If ya’ll haven’t contacted Jennifer please do so you don’t miss your opportunity. It was super easy!
Are There Other Property Tax Exemptions?
Besides checking your County for other exemptions. On February 12, 2021, Texas Governor declared our state a disaster due to a winter storm. Your property may be qualified to receive a temporary exemption of a portion of the appraised value of the property. Your property could qualify for this exemption if your property was damaged by the disaster. It could be 15% or 100% exemption. See below the details and let me know how this helped you by commenting below.
