You must live someplace where property taxes don’t mean much to the local government.
Down here (South Texas) it is just the opposite. The county tax appraiser will use ANY reason to raise your valuation (more money for them). By fighting like hell I keep the appraised value of my home about what it is worth. People that aren’t vigilant are living in homes that are appraised for much more than they are worth.
I am engaged in a fight with my County in Texas right now. They lowered my appraisal the spring after Ike hit because we still had extensive damage but then it was raised this year to well above what I paid for it five years ago. We have had no “comparison properties” that have sold for several blocks around me for almost three years now. Did have a realtor give me an informal appraisal which was almost $30,000 below the tax appraisal which she said I should be able to sell the house for, although it would probably take 6-8 months.
Of course my rates are frozen because of the homestead and over-65 exemption so the only way they can get more money is to raise the value. Tried to protest on-line and it was denied so guess I will do battle with them in person.
Down here (South Texas) it is just the opposite. The county tax appraiser will use ANY reason to raise your valuation (more money for them).
I just bought in East Texas. The appraisal came in under the agreed price and the lender wouldn’t go above the appraisal value.
That was good for me as it knocked the price down a few thousand.