Got my 2022 property appraisal a couple of weeks ago and they raised it 19% because the three homes that sold on my street. each of which had $150K+ remodel jobs. My home is 1984 vintage and pretty much in original condition as were these other homes until they were passed on to the next generation who took out the loans, modernized and then tripled their money. I filed a protest and chose an appeal board hearing.

I had my appeal board hearing today. Had good facts and data but I drew a three person board made up of two good people and one asshat.

I let appraiser go first (he was a real jerk and obviously qualified only to crunch numbers). I made my pitch based on the fact that the comps he used on my street were all of homes with $150K-$200K remodels and showed photos from the real estate listings of the kitchens and baths compared to photos of my home which is large original 1980's (the panel could not believe the differences). Furthermore, I noted that I have no permanent outbuildings or shops like the others and my home is all electric with no gas like the others which is a big deal now that electric rates have doubled. I also showed 4 homes on my lane from the Appraisal District database that had $/sq. ft appraisals far less than mine, two of which have in ground pools. One of those homes had a $/sq. ft. assignment of $19/sq. ft less than mine.

Two of the board members reacted well and noted that all of the things I pointed out affected the true market value and that the equity issue with the other properties was a major concern but the asshat said he would consider nothing other than taking the average $/sq ft from all of the local sales and applying that to my home. Anything other than that was no acceptable to him. Then, it became obvious that the panel chair could only live with a unanimous decision so the other two gave up their positions and voted with the asshat.

The only positive was that they discovered a minor math error in the appraiser's calcs hat lowered my appraisal by a bit over $10,000 which is abnout 1/3 of what I wanted.

I went with the panel because I assumed the appraiser would be a jerk and not want to back off from his findings (I was right) but I had the misfortune to draw another jerk as a member of my panel. I have no doubt that another panel would have knocked $20K-$30K off my appraisal.

So I was victim to the logic that if completely restored 55 Chevy Bel Airs are selling for $200K, a rusted out original model should be appraised at the same amount even if no one will give you anywhere near that for the car.

I have an appeal right but they can kiss my appraised arse. It's no wonder Smith County has some of the highest taxes in the state.

Got my new appraisal the other day, 66.3% increase.

I had that happen in Tarrant County a few years ago also. 3-person panel with one true bitch. They caved to her too. Now I just do online protests.

I learned years ago not to do the formal Denton County protest hearing. Did it once and had a complete Jack azz who was on some kind of power trip. They lowered mine but not nearly as much as I wanted. The next year I simply showed up met with a staff appraiser one on one who was an extremely nice lady and got it lowered like it should have been and so far they are keeping it about where it should be. DCAD had my property all jacked up had it classed like a much nicer more expensive FM home. She fixed that and even lowered it a bit more than my comps because my lot was slightly smaller. Now mine is appraised exactly like others in my neighborhood that are the same floor plan and well below market value so not real justification to try and protest.

You have to protest based on Structural Value of your home/property. Take photo's of all defects with your home, Google estimate repair prices for your area, throw together a Power Point Presentation showing photo's and estimates and you'll be successful with your protest.

Additionally, use your your Tax Assessor's web site and check every property on your street/area and see if their Market Value is assessed lowered than yours. If so include that in your PP presentation.

Neighbor 2 doors down has exact same house as I but with $80k in outdoor improvements. When I protested compared to his value 2 years ago the asshat told the appraiser to raise his value next year because it was obviously under valued and mine was correct. I slammed the door on the way out. When I protested in prior years and it was just the appraiser I was successful.

I've always thought going to the ARB made sense...but apparently not. I've usually worked out things with the appraiser directly and got some movement but never really down where I expected...

I am sorry for that huge property tax hike. There must be a way a lawyer can do something against such unfair property tax hikes.

Sadly home owners do not actually own their property they are renting the property from the county if one needs proof stop paying the county taxes and find out.

Remember Chip and Joanna Gaines when they hosted Fixer Upper? One of the complaints was the tax appraisal of the surrounding homes was increased due to the renovations done by them.

This^^^^^^^

Taxation without representation, classic!

Why, Texas is a non disclosure state? Assuming you are saying they sold the home after fixing it up.

I recommend getting a large stick and using it to beat asshat vigorously about the head and shoulders. After that start trying to elect a governor and state legislators that will change the stupid property tax laws.

I too, had the Tarrant Co 3 person panel and it was complete waste of time. Took pictures of cracked foundation, the grossly malnourished truss timbers in my attic (don't know HOW the inspectors passed some of that stuff), The great big easement behind the house that nobody can use and is completely overgrown. Mr. Appraiser sparks up about how "all this collective data from other homes in your area" crapola and the panel said Nope, we're going with what he said.

I ended up selling my house to my best friend 2 years ago for $205K. That's what I sold it for. Now it's being valued at $310K. In 2 years time! What a joke this has become.

That home you sold for 205 2 years ago is prob worth closer to 400 today if I had to guess. Some places have seen 30 percent appreciation in the past 2 months.