Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

I have never seen such outrageous collusion to make people accept as
much as $50,000 over what the fair market value of their property
based on similar age, size and features should be from recently sold
homes data that is available by MLS, but they refuse it.

It seemed more like I was in Communist Russia than the Travis County
Tax Appraiser's office. The people waiting with me were all in the
same boat -- just incredulous at how TCAD had raised their evaluations
above and beyond (in one case) what ANY property nearby had ever sold
for per square foot.

I was appalled by the informal AND formal hearing officers and their
attitudes when I contested the comps they were using. They use bad
(non-comparables to your home) and if you come in with proof of other
sales of recent more similar homes for less, they disallow it.

My officer said, "Doesn't matter if the floors are mahogany or carpet
like yours. It is just a matter of preference." Hardly. It is a matter
of hundreds of dollars worth of additional value in the house. It was
mind blowing what was said at that meeting. I could have presented a
picture of a falling down shack and they would have still said, "We
have to go by 'our comps' when judging the value of your house and we
don't care how old or in disrepair you house is."

I request that everyone vote against anyone presently in public office
in Texas and in Travis County and bring in a whole new bunch
(hopefully better -- can't be any worse). Rick Perry has to go. He is
the head 'thief'.

You need to protest your taxes and also STOP the real estate cartel
from keeping us a non-disclosure home sale price state, so they keep
that information their secret and then can charge 6% on top of the
price the owner will reap to give you the sold price information. Then
go against TCAD in every way you possibly can.

Stand strong -- LM

"LibraMoon" wrote in message
oups.com...
Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage
of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out
of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack
your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all
around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

snip
Stand strong -- LM

Sounds like a first class rip-off. I don't live in Travis, but I
suspect perhaps similar things are happening all over.

But take heart, you surely feel confident that they will quickly
lower your valuation as soon as houses come down a bit (SURE).

Problem is if you vote the bums out, the new bums will be as bad
when they get in their second term. Read that as "We need term
limits".

Bob

In article ,
"Bob" wrote:

"LibraMoon" wrote in message
oups.com...
Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage
of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out
of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack
your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all
around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

snip
Stand strong -- LM

Sounds like a first class rip-off. I don't live in Travis, but I
suspect perhaps similar things are happening all over.

But take heart, you surely feel confident that they will quickly
lower your valuation as soon as houses come down a bit (SURE).

Problem is if you vote the bums out, the new bums will be as bad
when they get in their second term. Read that as "We need term
limits".

Bob

Don't feel too bad; they are doing it in Hays county too. Unfortunately,
my neighbors house recently sold for what they valued mine at, so I
can't argue with it even tho' I need to do a lot of interior work still.

sigh

It only raised my taxes by $100.00 this year so it's not going to kill
me.

Yet.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Bob" wrote:

"LibraMoon" wrote in message
oups.com...
Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage
of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out
of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack
your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all
around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

snip
Stand strong -- LM

Sounds like a first class rip-off. I don't live in Travis, but I
suspect perhaps similar things are happening all over.

But take heart, you surely feel confident that they will quickly
lower your valuation as soon as houses come down a bit (SURE).

Problem is if you vote the bums out, the new bums will be as bad
when they get in their second term. Read that as "We need term
limits".

Bob

Don't feel too bad; they are doing it in Hays county too. Unfortunately,
my neighbors house recently sold for what they valued mine at, so I
can't argue with it even tho' I need to do a lot of interior work still.

Williamson County too. They raised mine the maximum 10% they could.

Luckily, even with the tax increase, my mortgage (PITI) is still less than
my rent was three years ago.

In article ,
"suzilem" wrote:

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Bob" wrote:

"LibraMoon" wrote in message
oups.com...
Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage
of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out
of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack
your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all
around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

snip
Stand strong -- LM

Sounds like a first class rip-off. I don't live in Travis, but I
suspect perhaps similar things are happening all over.

But take heart, you surely feel confident that they will quickly
lower your valuation as soon as houses come down a bit (SURE).

Problem is if you vote the bums out, the new bums will be as bad
when they get in their second term. Read that as "We need term
limits".

Bob

Don't feel too bad; they are doing it in Hays county too. Unfortunately,
my neighbors house recently sold for what they valued mine at, so I
can't argue with it even tho' I need to do a lot of interior work still.

Williamson County too. They raised mine the maximum 10% they could.

Luckily, even with the tax increase, my mortgage (PITI) is still less than
my rent was three years ago.

I did a home equity after the morgage was paid off for a massive amount
of external home repair, siding, new windows and a large sun room.

My taxes are not part of any escrow...

but it's still cheaper than rent. :-)
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

"suzilem" wrote in message
. ..

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Bob" wrote:

"LibraMoon" wrote in message
oups.com...
Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage
of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out
of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack
your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all
around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

snip
Stand strong -- LM

Sounds like a first class rip-off. I don't live in Travis, but I
suspect perhaps similar things are happening all over.

But take heart, you surely feel confident that they will quickly
lower your valuation as soon as houses come down a bit (SURE).

Problem is if you vote the bums out, the new bums will be as bad
when they get in their second term. Read that as "We need term
limits".

Bob

Don't feel too bad; they are doing it in Hays county too. Unfortunately,
my neighbors house recently sold for what they valued mine at, so I
can't argue with it even tho' I need to do a lot of interior work still.

Williamson County too. They raised mine the maximum 10% they could.

I've owned my house in Travis County for 10 years and every single year
they've raised mine the 10% maximum.


Luckily, even with the tax increase, my mortgage (PITI) is still less than
my rent was three years ago.

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Bob" wrote:

"LibraMoon" wrote in message
oups.com...
Austin Gardening People,

I want to warn everyone that many of us are being taken advantage
of
by the Travis Country Appraisal District. They may be using 2 out
of 5
vastly different, better, more updated properties as so-called
"comparables" to fix the tax appraisal higher on your home.

Go there and ask them for a list of the comps they used to jack
your
property appraisal up. The ones they used on my modest cottage had
mahogany floors, a canyon view and decks and terraces all
around --
not even close to my style/value house and newer also.

snip
Stand strong -- LM

Sounds like a first class rip-off. I don't live in Travis, but I
suspect perhaps similar things are happening all over.

But take heart, you surely feel confident that they will quickly
lower your valuation as soon as houses come down a bit (SURE).

Problem is if you vote the bums out, the new bums will be as bad
when they get in their second term. Read that as "We need term
limits".

Bob

Don't feel too bad; they are doing it in Hays county too. Unfortunately,
my neighbors house recently sold for what they valued mine at, so I
can't argue with it even tho' I need to do a lot of interior work still.

sigh

It only raised my taxes by $100.00 this year so it's not going to kill
me.

Yet.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack
Nicholson

West Hays county here. My home and property is valued 110% by the county
above current market value per evaluation by 3 different real estate agents
using the highest value of the 3.
Modest, new 1280 s.f. 3 bedroom home on 5 acres. Like anyone else its the
school district that takes the biggest chunk of money. WISD, I understand,
is way above most other ISDs in their share.
Retired Navy, divorced, no shares here, I pay all. Invested my money in a
rental during my career, no problems. Sold rental with almost 40K profit.
Built detached garage here myself. Garage, driveway, fence and other
amenities all came from those monies. Land was paid for 2 years prior to
retiring from Navy.
Taxes on property amount to 1/2 of my house payments per year. And, I
thought I was going to sit on the porch and watch my garden grow... Hardly
an American dream I guess. My apologies to the county tax assessor.
Dave