The MyLowerTaxes Web Site
Who decides what my taxes are?
The county assessor is in charge of appraising your home at the current market value. The assessor’s office has appraisers who regularly review facts about your home and determine what your Fair Market Value should be. However, the problem with this is that in many cases, especially in a market where prices are going down, the appraisers do not update your value in a timely manner.
What does the MyLowerTaxes Website do?
MylowerTaxes is a valuation service that will provide you with a customized Automated Valuation Report of your home. Once you have that report as well as the county assessor’s property tax appeal form (which we will provide), you can send the application in and have a good chance of lowering your taxes.
Why should I use MyLowerTaxes to make my property tax appeal?
To save time and money of course! You could replicate the automation we provide by hiring an appraiser, going to the courthouse to obtain the forms, filling out the forms, and hoping that you did everything correctly. However we are experts and you can be assured that your county assessor is familiar with the reports we produce. Our data is accurate and up to date.
Will I automatically get a tax reduction if I use the MyLowerTaxes service?
That depends on the county assessor who reviews your appeal. He or she may agree that your home is over-assessed or write to you to ask more information about your home. Depending on the date of your appeal and the policy of your county, you may or may not get a refund of taxes already paid. If the assessor decides that his valuation is correct, you have the option to go one step further – to appeal to the Board of Equalization. When the assessor issues his decision, there will be instruction on the procedure for doing this.
When should I appeal my taxes?
Each county has their own tax appeal deadline. Look on your tax statement and it will say what the deadline is. However you can file an appeal at any time and ask for an extension of your appeal deadline.
How does MyLowerTaxes determine my home’s value?
We use data available from public sources to estimate the value of your home at the instant you purchase a report. MyLowerTaxes uses the same techniques that an appraiser will use – comparable sales. These sales are similar homes near you that have recently sold. By using algorithms to determine the differences between a comparable sale and your home, MyLowerTaxes can estimate values very accurately. We use the data that the assessor has published for your home and then compare the items with the most value to comparable sales. These amenities are age, living area, room count, and of course location.
Under what circumstances will the MyLowerTaxes valuation be inaccurate?
If your home is unique to your neighborhood, has a large living area, large or unique site such as a view or waterfront, then the MyLowerTaxes valuation may not be accurate. Additionally, the valuation is intended only for residential single family properties. Commercial and income properties cannot be valued.
What if my home has some amenities that may not show up in the county property profile?
When your report is generated on our website, you are given the opportunity to add or subtract value for differences in the comparables we choose. For instance if you know that a selected comparable has been recently remodeled such that its value is greater than yours, you can deduct an amount for superior amenity. Conversely if your home is in great shape and is superior to the chosen comparables, you can add an amount to the value of your home. These techniques are exactly what an appraiser or assessor uses.
[Go to Top of Page]