I
think the younger and more politically ambitious the governor or mayor, the more
onerous property taxation will be. Here in Looneyville, otherwise known as California
This
is what you need to remember more than anything else if you go to ask for a
lower valuation: getting market prices and other similar properties will
impress an assessor. Especially if you correlate costs for the land, the
structure, the front footage value and even pictures of similar properties will
give you evidence that your property is overvalued.
The
more you prepare the better off you are: know the rules for the re-valuation;
ask the staff in the assessor’s office kindly and be needy when you first ask
for help; get the state’s book on property tax laws; and try to find a great
M.A.I. in your area if you own a lot of real estate. In places where I kicked
assessors like cans, I knew the values better than they did and they knew it. I
have this weird “Rain Man” quality. I
remember numbers and facts that involve numbers and it would freak assessors
out because I could list recent sales by memory, price and date. Heck, it
freaked me out...and it still does.
Remember
this above all else, market values will be volatile as will the stability of
cities. With volatile market conditions and events, the first half of a
valuation could be blown all to hell if the revaluation is in a major city and
then half way through, there is a 12-day riot.
Don’t
be afraid of an assessor, especially if you are a senior. If you are kind and
make a great first impression, they are usually very helpful. I’ve had
assessors admit mechanical errors within 10 minutes of meeting and going over a
property, especially when I walked in with blue prints and a humble smile.
They
are paid by you and no matter how a person is in the assessor’s office acts;
you can always go to the mayor’s office. If you are a senior or tax payer,
fully describe what happened. It’s also wise at the mayor’s office to assert
that you are very active politically and compliment the mayor if you like what
he or she has done.
Can
I guarantee you will get every bill reduced on every property you own or
investigate? No. But by now you understand that it is a giant mess that no one
has ever really exposed. It’s a flawed system that I bet will become more
confusing and onerous.
Don’t
be afraid. You do have the right to know how you are taxed. Be humble and if
that doesn’t work, go to the mayor’s office and impress them how much you need
their help. Remember when working with government employees, honey works better
than vinegar.
If
you have questions, call our office. I’m training everyone on property taxation
so we can hopefully answer questions.
written by Brad Richdale copyright 2010 all rights reserved
blog by Bradford Richdale
written by Brad Richdale copyright 2010 all rights reserved
blog by Bradford Richdale
