Due to the recent downturn of home prices over the past several years a large percentage of homes in the Riverside County area are still being ‘taxed’ based on much higher property values prior to this decline. So there’s a very good chance you’re paying more than your fair share of property taxes!
Sometimes, 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 has been overvalued, a professional, independent, third-party appraiser is often your best bet in proving your case.
That’s where GA Appraisals, Inc comes in. There are a lot of different procedures for appealing tax assessments so it’s important to enlist the help of a professional appraisal company that’s experienced and trained in the ins and outs of the appeal process.
Prior to hiring an appraiser it often makes sense to do your own research before determining whether to move forward with a property assessment appeal, especially before making the decision of hiring a professional appraiser.
Keep in mind, according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), we as appraisers are not allowed to take “shortcuts” — i.e., your research – and use it as face value as part of our independent evaluation. When you hire us for an assessment appeal, you’re commissioning us as an independent, third-party to perform a professional appraisal report.
As such, we do our own evaluation from beginning to end. If you’re correct that your property has been overvalued, an independent report such as ours will be more persuasive than any other evidence you can provide on your own. But once again it does depend on our ability to do the work independently.
If you feel your property is over valued by the tax assessor, there are several avenues you have to appeal them and get them reduced. One of those involves hiring an independent 3rd Party Real Estate appraiser.
Additionally, in the ever changing SoCal real estate market, when values decline, the tax assessor is generally very slow to make adjustments which is a perfect time to submit and independent appraisal to get your taxes reduced.
Give us a call and we can discuss your individual situation.