[quote=EconProf]Once you file an appeal, you will likely (could be over a year or more) get a call from an assessor ready to negotiate a compromise. They will offer a reduction and act like they are doing you a favor. Turn it down.
Insist on going to the hearing–a quasi-judicial process where you can plead your case before an appeals board that will hear your side and that of the assessor’s office. This takes an average of 20 minutes or so, and looked to be a fair process when I witnessed it.
With tens of thousands of written appeals, and only limited time available, they certainly do not want you to go as far as a hearing. That’s why they will cajole, offer phoney numbers, and generally try to intimidate you into caving. If you have done your research and have a good case, they will grant your number.[/quote]
Yes, EconProf, I agree with your post in that, in the past, your way was feasible, or might be feasible now if you are appealing a complex of over four units or commercial property. I have gone all the way to hearing before to appeal my property taxes, but the year was 1993. I got a hearing in less than six months back then as there were many less applications pending than today. I did win and get a lowered assessment at that time from about 278,500 to 240,000. It started adjusting gradually upwards again in FY 97/98.
I applied this time in July 2008 to appeal the upcoming 08/09 FY. In 2009, I dealt directly with the two local county appraisers in CV still working here in their offices. (All the rest of the ARCC employees moved downtown or were laid off b/c they closed the office to the public early last year.) The compromises and stipulations are now done from Kearny Mesa by letter after the head appraiser signs off on them. They are time-sensitive, i.e., if you don’t respond, you will be set for a hearing. However, EVEN THOUGH I WAS AMONG THE FIRST 3000 APPLICANTS FOR F/Y 08/09, out of about 44,000, I think, the STIP still took practically ALL THE WAY TO 12/10/09 to effectuate and provide me with a corrected tax bill (over 16 months). I would venture that waiting for a hearing NOW AFTER YOU TURNED DOWN the county’s offer could tie up two more years + of your life, while you pay the higher tax, depending on what “number” you were assigned on your postcard (it’s 1st come, 1st served).
After I crunched theirs and my sales comps, I had to concede that their offer was a good deal. The appraiser used just one heavy fixer a couple blocks away to “comp” me. (My place is NOT a fixer.) I let him do it because I have 600-800 more SF than the average residence in my area so the sales comps for my appeal were far and few between as the county would not accept the (much) smaller sales comps. FYI: The county goes mainly by SF and doesn’t care much about condition. Lot size is important to them only if the lot is very large, i.e. 1/2 AC and this size lot is unusual for the neighborhood.
Now, my tax bill is nearly $850 lower. I plan on entertaining a study in the near future to see if I have any grounds to appeal again for FY 10/11.
My “assessment appeal” example here is so sad (for Piggs and Non-Piggs alike) because I purchased in 2001 and my sellers at the time accepted $10K lower than their asking price AND gave me a $11,000 credit in escrow!! I feel I purchased well and prior to any heavy bidding wars/bubble so my example here is just one illustration of the depth and breath of this “artifically-created” blood-in-the-streets RE debacle we are experiencing now.
