Comments on: How-To: Challenge Your Property Taxes http://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/ local real estate news, statistics, and commentary without the sales spin. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:48:56 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Weekend News Roundup | Seattle Bubble — News & discussion about real estate & the housing bubble in the Seattle area.http://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-77447 Weekend News Roundup | Seattle Bubble — News & discussion about real estate & the housing bubble in the Seattle area. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:12:03 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-77447 [...] any Seattle Bubble readers that are considering appealing their assessment that S-Crow posted a useful “how-to” on this process that would be a good starting [...]<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('77447','Weekend News Roundup | Seattle Bubble — News & discussion about real estate & the housing bubble in the Seattle area.',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('77447','Weekend News Roundup | Seattle Bubble — News & discussion about real estate & the housing bubble in the Seattle area.','[...] any Seattle Bubble readers that are considering appealing their assessment that S-Crow posted a useful “how-to” on this process that would be a good starting [...]',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> [...] any Seattle Bubble readers that are considering appealing their assessment that S-Crow posted a useful “how-to” on this process that would be a good starting [...]
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]]> By: Kary L. Krismerhttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65347 Kary L. Krismer Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:45 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65347 Rhonda, when you consider the fact that the current assessment amounts are based on 1/1/2008 values, there are not really that many assessments that are grossly high. Mine for example is about 10% high, which I would consider on the edge of being grossly high.I happen to look at a lot of assessed values reviewing bankruptcy matters, and what I find shocking is how many assessments are grossly low based on prior sale prices. Much more than 10% low! Given the way our tax system works (tax rate determined based on total assessments for all properties), that means the rest of us are paying more for real estate taxes than we should be. But there's no way for anyone to challenge that. The only ones that get challenged are the ones that are high.Zillow seems to look at sale prices when determining their Zestimates. Near as I can tell, the King County Assessor does not. So if they're wrong on a property, that continues after a sale.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65347','Kary L. Krismer',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65347','Kary L. Krismer','Rhonda, when you consider the fact that the current assessment amounts are based on 1\/1\/2008 values, there are not really that many assessments that are grossly high. Mine for example is about 10% high, which I would consider on the edge of being grossly high.\r\n\r\nI happen to look at a lot of assessed values reviewing bankruptcy matters, and what I find shocking is how many assessments are grossly low based on prior sale prices. Much more than 10% low! Given the way our tax system works (tax rate determined based on total assessments for all properties), that means the rest of us are paying more for real estate taxes than we should be. But there\'s no way for anyone to challenge that. The only ones that get challenged are the ones that are high.\r\n\r\nZillow seems to look at sale prices when determining their Zestimates. Near as I can tell, the King County Assessor does not. So if they\'re wrong on a property, that continues after a sale.',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> Rhonda, when you consider the fact that the current assessment amounts are based on 1/1/2008 values, there are not really that many assessments that are grossly high. Mine for example is about 10% high, which I would consider on the edge of being grossly high.

I happen to look at a lot of assessed values reviewing bankruptcy matters, and what I find shocking is how many assessments are grossly low based on prior sale prices. Much more than 10% low! Given the way our tax system works (tax rate determined based on total assessments for all properties), that means the rest of us are paying more for real estate taxes than we should be. But there’s no way for anyone to challenge that. The only ones that get challenged are the ones that are high.

Zillow seems to look at sale prices when determining their Zestimates. Near as I can tell, the King County Assessor does not. So if they’re wrong on a property, that continues after a sale.

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]]> By: Rhonda Porterhttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65308 Rhonda Porter Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:39:32 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65308 Tim, this info is so important for home owners... I know the assessed value is based on "past values" so for a while, home owners had lower assessed value than what their home would have appraised for. Now appraisals are coming in lower than assessed value.Home owners should create their own personal stimulus and contest their tax assessment if it's overvalued (and it probably is).<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65308','Rhonda Porter',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65308','Rhonda Porter','Tim, this info is so important for home owners... I know the assessed value is based on \"past values\" so for a while, home owners had lower assessed value than what their home would have appraised for. Now appraisals are coming in lower than assessed value. \r\n\r\nHome owners should create their own personal stimulus and contest their tax assessment if it\'s overvalued (and it probably is).',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> Tim, this info is so important for home owners… I know the assessed value is based on “past values” so for a while, home owners had lower assessed value than what their home would have appraised for. Now appraisals are coming in lower than assessed value.

Home owners should create their own personal stimulus and contest their tax assessment if it’s overvalued (and it probably is).

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]]> By: softwarengineerhttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65297 softwarengineer Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:01:34 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65297 SEATTLE HOME OWNERS NEED A STIMULUS RIGHT NOWNot more property taxes causing rent increases too.Its time for our local government to start laying off teachers, police, office administrators, etc, just like the other 90-95% of the non-government workers are getting laid off. NYC is already slated to lay off 19000 teachers.Taxing the remaining workres and the unemployed in Seattle to keep local government in business is simply phony stimulus relief and "We the people" are offended..<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65297','softwarengineer',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65297','softwarengineer','SEATTLE HOME OWNERS NEED A STIMULUS RIGHT NOW\r\n\r\nNot more property taxes causing rent increases too.\r\n\r\nIts time for our local government to start laying off teachers, police, office administrators, etc, just like the other 90-95% of the non-government workers are getting laid off. NYC is already slated to lay off 19000 teachers.\r\n\r\nTaxing the remaining workres and the unemployed in Seattle to keep local government in business is simply phony stimulus relief and \"We the people\" are offended..',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> SEATTLE HOME OWNERS NEED A STIMULUS RIGHT NOW

Not more property taxes causing rent increases too.

Its time for our local government to start laying off teachers, police, office administrators, etc, just like the other 90-95% of the non-government workers are getting laid off. NYC is already slated to lay off 19000 teachers.

Taxing the remaining workres and the unemployed in Seattle to keep local government in business is simply phony stimulus relief and “We the people” are offended..

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]]> By: David Loshhttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65295 David Losh Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:50:09 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65295 "if you have the means to reach out and support them, do it."This is the best thing this site has said.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65295','David Losh',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65295','David Losh','\"if you have the means to reach out and support them, do it.\"\r\n\r\nThis is the best thing this site has said.',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> “if you have the means to reach out and support them, do it.”

This is the best thing this site has said.

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]]> By: Kary L. Krismerhttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65293 Kary L. Krismer Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:32:49 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65293 I had a pretty strong case for appealing, because the valuation went up by about 10% over what I paid less than 2 months prior to the valuation date (January 1, 2008). But for me it wasn't worth it because if I'd succeeded I would have only saved less than $600.Also, don't assume that your taxes will go up by the amount of your assessment increase. It doesn't work that way. The property tax assessment on my house went up 9.98%. Despite that, my real estate taxes will be only going up 4.48%. The reason? My tax rate will be actually declining from 1.198% to 1.138%You can determine your own situation by looking at the 3rd and 4th links from the bottom here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Assessor/PropertyTax.aspxand by determining your tax area here: https://payments.metrokc.gov/metrokc.ecommerce.propertytaxweb/PropertySearch.aspx<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65293','Kary L. Krismer',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65293','Kary L. Krismer','I had a pretty strong case for appealing, because the valuation went up by about 10% over what I paid less than 2 months prior to the valuation date (January 1, 2008). But for me it wasn\'t worth it because if I\'d succeeded I would have only saved less than $600.\r\n\r\nAlso, don\'t assume that your taxes will go up by the amount of your assessment increase. It doesn\'t work that way. The property tax assessment on my house went up 9.98%. Despite that, my real estate taxes will be only going up 4.48%. The reason? My tax rate will be actually declining from 1.198% to 1.138% \r\n\r\nYou can determine your own situation by looking at the 3rd and 4th links from the bottom here: http:\/\/www.kingcounty.gov\/Assessor\/PropertyTax.aspx\r\n\r\nand by determining your tax area here: https:\/\/payments.metrokc.gov\/metrokc.ecommerce.propertytaxweb\/PropertySearch.aspx',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> I had a pretty strong case for appealing, because the valuation went up by about 10% over what I paid less than 2 months prior to the valuation date (January 1, 2008). But for me it wasn’t worth it because if I’d succeeded I would have only saved less than $600.

Also, don’t assume that your taxes will go up by the amount of your assessment increase. It doesn’t work that way. The property tax assessment on my house went up 9.98%. Despite that, my real estate taxes will be only going up 4.48%. The reason? My tax rate will be actually declining from 1.198% to 1.138%

You can determine your own situation by looking at the 3rd and 4th links from the bottom here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Assessor/PropertyTax.aspx

and by determining your tax area here: https://payments.metrokc.gov/metrokc.ecommerce.propertytaxweb/PropertySearch.aspx

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]]> By: James Luporihttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65292 James Lupori Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:27:02 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65292 I would be curious to see how successful property owners will be in fighting city hall about property taxes. I wrote a quick post on my blog at the end of January:http://kenmore.neighborhoodsundressed.com/2009/01/30/property-taxes-rise-in-2009-no-correlation-between-property-value-and-tax-bills/The Assessors office seems to be sending a message that our taxes are not going down any time soon.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65292','James Lupori',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65292','James Lupori','I would be curious to see how successful property owners will be in fighting city hall about property taxes. I wrote a quick post on my blog at the end of January:\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/kenmore.neighborhoodsundressed.com\/2009\/01\/30\/property-taxes-rise-in-2009-no-correlation-between-property-value-and-tax-bills\/\r\n\r\nThe Assessors office seems to be sending a message that our taxes are not going down any time soon.',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> I would be curious to see how successful property owners will be in fighting city hall about property taxes. I wrote a quick post on my blog at the end of January:

http://kenmore.neighborhoodsundressed.com/2009/01/30/property-taxes-rise-in-2009-no-correlation-between-property-value-and-tax-bills/

The Assessors office seems to be sending a message that our taxes are not going down any time soon.

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]]> By: ElPolloLocohttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65289 ElPolloLoco Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:23:39 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65289 In other news, the WSP is starting to do something I've never seen them do before: <i>hide</i>. Pretty clear what their marching orders are.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65289','ElPolloLoco',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65289','ElPolloLoco','In other news, the WSP is starting to do something I\'ve never seen them do before: <i>hide<\/i>. Pretty clear what their marching orders are.',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> In other news, the WSP is starting to do something I’ve never seen them do before: hide. Pretty clear what their marching orders are.
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]]> By: Scotsmanhttp://seattlebubble.com/blog/2009/02/04/how-to-challenge-your-property-taxes/#comment-65287 Scotsman Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:14:42 +0000 http://seattlebubble.com/blog/?p=4055#comment-65287 I wonder how long this will be possible. Eventually the county will recognize that declining values and the resultant declines in revenue are going to put them in a fiscal bind. I know that the law is the law, but something's going to have to give.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('65287','Scotsman',''); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('65287','Scotsman','I wonder how long this will be possible. Eventually the county will recognize that declining values and the resultant declines in revenue are going to put them in a fiscal bind. I know that the law is the law, but something\'s going to have to give.',''); return false;">Quote</a></div> I wonder how long this will be possible. Eventually the county will recognize that declining values and the resultant declines in revenue are going to put them in a fiscal bind. I know that the law is the law, but something’s going to have to give.
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