Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2009 · 203 posts · 50 votes
Actually not sure if I am in the best category here:
Got a letter from the city yesterday about one of my duplexes. They offer me the opportunity (I feel so special) to make an appointment for interior inspection for assessment purposes, claiming, of course, if gives a fairer assessment than if he would judge only by the outside.
My properties got re-assessed multiple times over the years, and so far I only got the re-assessment notice. Bam, take it or leave it. Never this "one-time opportunity to call within 10 days".
Wondering now if I should let him on or ignore him. Would it help or hurt to keep the assessment and thus the property taxes down?
I don't trust the government and prefer to keep them off my property whenever possible. If this is not mandatory, I would not let them in. My fear is that they would find a way to raise your taxes by claiming there are improvements that they didn't know about or possibly go on a fishing expedition looking for any work that was done with the required permit.
I also doubt that they would lower your taxes. Tax assessors are in the business of collecting revenue to line their pockets. Most municipalities are having money problems and the workers know that more revenue means job security.
I don't trust the government and prefer to keep them off my property whenever possible. If this is not mandatory, I would not let them in. My fear is that they would find a way to raise your taxes by claiming there are improvements that they didn't know about or possibly go on a fishing expedition looking for any work that was done with the required permit.
I also doubt that they would lower your taxes. Tax assessors are in the business of collecting revenue to line their pockets. Most municipalities are having money problems and the workers know that more revenue means job security.
Do you think they will actually assess the property down? Government fees/taxes only go one up and thats up. Let them in only if, you think you would benenfit.
I agree with Rob. Don't trust them. You truly don't know how 'Gangsta' city hall is until you see them in court over a tax appeal. They lie, cheat, misinform - and do their BEST work with seniors and the poor who don't know better. One day I sat in and saw them in action and swore I would never trust them again.
Steve brings up a good point. Only let them in if the inside of your property is run down and looks worse than the outside. But my thoughts is that either way they will try and spin it for their benefit.
Learn the appeals process in your state before proceeding. They'll probably try and get you either way. I appealed my RE taxes and worked with a company specializing in the field and reaped great benefits. It's amazing how corrupt the assessor and his cronies are. Most of my assessed values, were cut in half or more (appropriately) by the assessors after a fight from a professional in the field. I made similar arguments to which they completely dismissed.. Consider working with a pro on it if you end up needing their services.
Ok, it's settled then, I put on more deadbolts to keep them out. Was my gut feel anyway, especially since it has been fixed up just half a year ago (less any new tenant waste and neglect in the meantime, of course...)
Agree with the point that it might make sense to let them in if it's run down inside. In fact, that particular property was assessed about seven times the purchase price when we bought it. Similar story with other properties. Pain in the behind...
Ed, good idea with the appeals pro, didn't know they exist. I was reading about our process here already, and it somehow seems the cart is in front of the horse here: They send you a reassessment in spring, but you don't get the bill until December. They say in Dec. it's too late, but you are not always getting a reassessment, only every few years. otherwise, they just secretly increase it city wide (or 'hood wide, whatever) by an arbitrary, I meant a scientifically derived factor based on historical experience.
Ed, good idea with the appeals pro, didn't know they exist. I was reading about our process here already, and it somehow seems the cart is in front of the horse here: They send you a reassessment in spring, but you don't get the bill until December. They say in Dec. it's too late, but you are not always getting a reassessment, only every few years. otherwise, they just secretly increase it city wide (or 'hood wide, whatever) by an arbitrary, I meant a scientifically derived factor based on historical experience.
Regarding our "pros" here, I got my proposed reassessment about a month ago - and as soon as I did, I got about a letter a day and a phone call every other day from one of them offering their services. I filed my appeal online for free and am awaiting my outcome.
Ed and Dave, just wondering how these appeal pros get paid. Flat fee, hourly (for the pain the but municipalities), or maybe contingency based with a percentage of the savings?
Just a guess: they file the same appeal I can online in 5 minutes and if they happen to save someone money they get half. Not much work involved and 0 risk on their part.
Regarding fees. The "pros" will make you pay at least whatever fee the county gets to file the appeal. Then, they will always be paid on a contingency basis, sort of like commission; some take a certain percentage of the savings in the first year, some take a smaller percentage over more years. And some want to get a small fee in addition to the contingency / commission. So shop around. Now, you might want to also explore any houses in the same neighborhood that also got a reduction - and ask who they used!
I've had a lot of success fighting property taxes at the state level. I have to go to the city and fight there first. It never works out because they want every dime they can get their grubby fingers on. Once you're denied at the city level, you appeal at the state level and go up against the city assessor in front of a judge.
I used the same forms that an appraiser uses and made adjustments the same way. I told all parties that I'm not an appraiser, but used appraisal forms since we're all familiar with them. What was funny is the last time I did it, I was in front of the judge with one city assessor. The judge and the assessor both complimented me on using these forms as it was easy for all of us to understand. When I went in front of the same judge later the same day with a different city assessor, that assessor tried getting all of my forms thrown out since I'm not a "licensed appraiser." She said that I "shouldn't even have these forms." The jusge absolutely blasted her. I thought she was going to cry. I got everything I wanted. It was great.