At a time when the cost of gas and food is surging, it can be an unwelcomed surprise to realize your local tax office has put a far higher value on your home, and therefore, raised your property taxes.
According to Jenni and Monique, however, you do have some control here. The fact is, if you can prove the value of your home is wrong, the county will change it.
Here’s our advice for our clients and friends who would like to challenge their property tax bill.
The most important thing to understand is how much you can actually sell your home for. This is where having a savvy real estate agent on your side comes in handy.
Ask your agent for sales comparables that reflect what your home could actually be sold for on the current real estate market. They will compare the assessment of your home to what comparable homes have actually sold for.
If you find that your local tax office is valuing your home for higher than comparable properties, you may want to move forward with an appeal.
Salt Lake County’s deadline for making an appeal is August 1-September 15.
When the time comes to make your appeal, remember you will likely have just 15 minutes to present the facts. Be sure to state your case in the simplest terms and keep it professional and non-emotional.
As an aside, there is always the slightest chance that appealing your assessment could cause it to go up. Maybe there was a pool that wasn’t taken into account or the basement is fully finished when it wasn't before.
So be sure to talk with your real estate agent to confirm you have a good case before you make your appeal.
