3 Ways to Protest Your Property Taxes

As a homeowner and taxpayer, you have the right to protest your property taxes if you feel they aren’t accurate.

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Today I want to start off by saying that I very much enjoy this time of year as I get to help so many of you work through your tax-related questions. Not only because it’s nice to see my tax return arrive in the mail, but also because I get to help so many of you work through your own tax-related questions.

Through answering your questions, I’ve begun to notice which topics bring about the most confusion among my clients. For instance, many people are unclear on the difference between property assessed values, market values, and appraised values. You can find the video where I explained that difference here, but for today I’d like to focus on another common query: How can a person successfully protest their property taxes?

In the video I filmed on the difference between property assessed values, market values, and appraised values, I talked about the method by which a county assesses property values. You can find more detail in that video, but before delving into today’s topic it’s important to understand that the way they determine these values is by using a mass appraisal system. Of course, anything carried out on such a mass scale cannot be entirely accurate. 

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As a homeowner and taxpayer, you have the right to protest your property taxes if you feel they aren’t accurate.

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This is exactly why you as a homeowner and taxpayer have the right to protest your property taxes. There are three ways you can go about doing so: 

1. A phone call. Simply call your county appraisal district and let them know that you believe the assessed value of your home is inaccurate, and that you would therefore like your property to be individually re-evaluated. You will be asked a few questions during this phone call. Once all the necessary information is gathered, it will be submitted to an appraiser who will further investigate your case. You will receive a verdict in the mail after approximately two weeks.
2. An informal review. Through this option, you have the opportunity to make a personal appearance at your county appraisal district and have a one-on-one meeting with an independent appraiser. This option is time-consuming but is perhaps the most effective. 
3. A formal hearing. This option, which is generally a last resort, involves you coming before a review board to state your case. You’ll be asked to present evidence in order to support your claims. 

Of course, as a final piece of advice, I urge you to please be civil if you choose to pursue any of these three options. No one enjoys paying their taxes, so it’s important to only protest yours if you feel you truly have adequate cause to do so. 

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The 3 Key Factors That Determine Your Interest Rate

People often ask how their interest rate is determined. This rate is actually decided largely by three main factors.

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Lately, a lot of people have been asking about interest rates and how they are determined. 

I recently sat down with a special guest, Adam Colberg from Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, to help me answer this question.

As a mortgage loan officer, Adam gets this question a lot.

The truth is that three main factors typically determine someone’s interest rate. 

1. The type of loan program a person wants. Whether a person wants a FHA, VA, or conventional loan will have an influence on the interest rate they qualify for.
2. Down payment. The more you put down, the better interest rate you will qualify for.  
3. Credit score. Because rates are based upon risk, a better credit score will equate to a better interest rate. 

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Interest rates are based upon risk.

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If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

If You Can’t Find Your Dream Home, Build It

If you decide to build a new home, there are eight stages you’ll have to go through before it’s time to move in.

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Building your dream home can be a very exciting time, but it can also be a little stressful. However, it is a fun, meaningful family-bonding experience, and I feel especially privileged when my clients allow me to be a part of this journey. 

After all of the contracts are signed and design selections have been made, there are eight stages of the home building process: 

Stage Zero: Hurry up and wait! 
At the start, you might not see much activity on your home site. Don’t worry—a lot of things are happening behind the scenes. At this time, permits are secured and blueprints are finalized and distributed to make sure that everyone is on the same page. 

Stage One: Foundation 
During stage one, the builder prepares the homesite, sets foundation forms, and pours the concrete. At this point, many buyers wonder if their home will be large enough. Seeing the foundation without walls tends to be deceiving, as the foundation looks smaller than it really is.  

Stage Two: Framing 
Stage two is my personal favorite. It’s always surprising and impressive to see how quickly framing is done. One day, there is nothing but a slab, but a few days later, there is something that actually looks like a real house!

Stage Three: Roofing 
At this point, the structure becomes waterproof and your home completion date is no longer subject to most weather conditions. 

Stage Four: Rough Mechanics/Drywall Prep 
“Rough mechanics” is the term used to describe the mechanical portions of the building, which includes electrical wiring, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Multiple inspections take place during this stage to make sure that the home is being constructed correctly.

Stage Five: Drywall and Exterior Finish 
As the future homeowner, you may think that the drywall stage takes forever. Drywall is hung and finished, the ceilings get insulated, and your home begins to resemble its final form. Brick and stone are added on the outside, and your property gets graded for drainage. They also prepare for your driveway and walkway.

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The drywall stage may feel like it takes forever, but be patient.

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Most builders want you to remove any home buying contingencies you may have at this point, as your new home is only about 45 to 60 days away from completion. 

Stage Six: Trim 
At this point, interior doors, baseboards, windowsills, molding, staircases, and cabinets are installed. Your home gets spray painted and the driveway and walkway are poured. 

Stage Seven: Finish 
You’re in the final stretch, and now the flooring, countertops, light fixtures, mirrors, and plumbing hardware come in. Trees, shrubs, and grass are added, and other exterior landscaping is completed. 

Stage Eight: Blue Tape 
You’ve reached the final stage! At this point, your builder will walk you through your new home and point out its unique features and systems. The builder will also explain your maintenance responsibilities, as well as warranty coverage and procedures. You will also have the chance to spot items that need to be corrected and perfected before closing. 

Now that you’ve reached the end, your home is all ready for you to move in and create some happy memories! 

If you are interested in building a new home or if you have any other questions about real estate, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!