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Dana L. Grover Associates
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Free Assessment Appeals
County Assessor Offices have a free assessment appeal service for property owners who feel that their assessment is incorrect. Dana L. Grover Associates encourages home owners to use this free service first before hiring an independent appraiser in assisting with the appeal process. Below are links to the local County Assessor websites:
Assessment appeal services
Most localities determine your property tax burden based on an ad valorem assessment of the property's value. Sometimes, as a property owner, you get an unwanted surprise in the mail telling you your taxes are going up, and sometimes it may seem as though your assessment is too high.
In California properties are assessed in accordance with Proposition 13 which mandates that assessed values be 1% of their market values, and that the assessment cannot increase by more than 2% per year. When a property sells, its price is generally its market value, and the Assessor will usually use the price to determine the assessment. However, price does not always equal market value. For instance when a property is a "good buy" it's price may be less than market value, and the Assessor will assess it for a higher amount, its market value. Conversely, a buyer may over pay for a property, and its assessment should be lower than an assessment based upon the price.
Often, matters like this can be resolved with a phone call. However, if after discussing your assessment with your local taxing authority you still feel as though your property was overvalued, a professional, independent, third-party appraiser is often your best bet in proving your case. That's where we come in.
There are as many different procedures for appealing assessments as there are property taxing districts, so it's important to enlist the help of a professional appraisal firm that's experienced and trained in the ins and outs of your particular jurisdiction.
Please note: It makes sense to do your own research before determining whether to go forward with a property assessment appeal, especially before you make the decision to hire a professional appraiser. However, according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), we are not allowed to take "shortcuts" -- i.e., your research -- and use it on its face as part of our independent evaluation. When you hire us for an assessment appeal, you're commissioning an independent, third-party professional appraisal report. As such we do our own evaluation, beginning to end. If you're right that your property has been overvalued, an independent report such as ours will be even more persuasive than any other evidence you can marshal on your own. But it depends on our ability to do the work independently.
Sometimes, you will have a hearing on your assessment appeal and will need for the appraiser you've hired to testify on your behalf. Be assured that at Dana L. Grover Associates, we are able to professionally and persuasively testify at appeal hearings. Browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered.
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