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Should we pay $1000 for the city's screwup?

Okay, that's rhetorical, but what can we do? We bought a fixer-upper in Lake City. The tax appraiser, for only reasons he can explain, valued the house greater than any other house on the block in 2010. We bought the place in November, long after the period for appealing.
We just got our 2011 value notice and the building value has now been reappraised 97K lower because a visual inspection was made in January. In the meantime, we have to pay at least $1000 more on our overvalued 2011 property tax at a time when we are spending money just to make the house liveable.

Brad Reynolds asked in Real Estate 9 months ago | Report

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3 Answers

  • K_r_front-block_small
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    This is a situation that many home owners are encountering. I've had conversations with folks from the tax assessor's office to discuss options for appealing property taxes.

    The amount you pay in property taxes is not directly correlated with the assessed value of one's home. So if one sees a decrease in value from the previous year, one can't expect a direct decrease in property taxes. There are other factors involved, such has which taxing district one's property is located and what budgets have been approved within each district.

    This link provides a brief explanation of how property taxes are determined within each taxing district.
    http://www.kingcounty.gov/Assessor/AboutUs/HaraMessage.aspx

    My suggestion would be to contact the assessor's office to see what your options are for some sort of appeal.

    Good luck!

    Rosemary Pham and Kristen Meyer Lapriore answered in Real Estate 9 months ago | Report
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  • Walaw_logo_small_small
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    Good advice below. Its certainly not enough to merit hiring a lawyer because you'll probably spend that much if not more on the lawyer's time. So if you have the time and the inclination to fight the battle, its worthwhile because the county does correct itself occassionally.

    WaLaw Realty answered in Real Estate 9 months ago | Report
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  • Finn3goof_small
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    It's the County's screw up (if a screw-up it is). I'm gonna say you're probably sol but it doesn't hurt to ask.
    http://www.kingcounty.gov/Assessor/TaxpayerAssistance/Appeals.aspx

    Good Luck

    Tom answered in Real Estate 9 months ago | Report
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