Paying Too Much Property Tax?

Yeah yeah yeah, we all think we are paying too much in property taxes, but are you paying too much based on a value that is higher than what your home is worth?? Your county auditor is charged with assigning a value to your home and then assesses taxes based on that value and the tax rates of the county and local area, some of which you voted on.

Fortunately, the last election brought minimal or no new taxes.? Also, there was no reevaluation of home values, so your property taxes should be similar to what they were last year when the reassessment shocked many, with values being assessed 40% higher than previous assessments.

If you still think your property is valued too high by the auditor, you have the option to contest the auditor’s value.? Before you decide to contest the valuation, I have a few suggestions. Start will zillow.com and get their “zestimate.” ?If you see a wide variation, you might want to take the next step.? The next step, contact me or a licensed real estate agent and ask if the valuation seems right. They should be able to check recent, relevant sales that would be good comparables.? If there is still a discrepancy, you might want to take the next step.? The reason I say “might” is, in the past, the auditor has accepted agent’s recent arm’s length sales as comparables.? But if you want more reassurance, you can take the next step and hire a professional appraiser to give you a value.? While the “zestimate” and my opinion of value would be at no cost, an appraiser might cost you between $500-$750, so I say start with me to see if it’s worth it to “hire” an appraiser.

Here is my unfiltered and unbiased opinion. Check the estimate, check with me for value, if its withing 10 %, let sleeping dogs lie.? Meaning if it’s close, don’t rock the boat and let them start digging deeper.? There have been situations, although rare, where the auditor’s value was challenged and they sent their own appraiser and the value was increased and the homeowner’s taxes were raised! Make sure you have a good case and check with me first before contesting it.

Should you feel you still want to contest your value, you must file a complaint with the Delaware County Auditor before March 31, 2025.? You can go to the Delaware County website, navigate to the auditor’s site and download the “Complaint Against the Valuation of Real Property” form.? Just fill out the form (or feel free to ask me to do it for you) and mail in the notarized form. It’s really pretty simple.

Call the auditor’s office at 740-833-2900 if you need assistance.? My experience working with them in the past has been extremely positive.? They will bend over backwards to help you, so do not hesitate to call them.? Of course, feel free to call/text me, as I have helped many clients in the past 30 years with this process.

If you want more information on the process, search “The Paul George Real Estate Show” wherever you get your podcasts and go to Episode 8 where I interviewed George Kaista, the Delaware County Auditor, about your property taxes and the appeal process.?