How can I challenge a real estate assessment?
If your assessment has gone up substantially, there should be a reason; that may be the basis of a successful appeal. I once appealed an increase in my assessment based on the fact that somehow they had increased the square footage of my house (probably by mistaking a porch for enclosed living area on an aerial photo) despite my having done no remodeling. I gathered all of the documentation I could find, carefully followed the procedure, noting deadlines and required forms, and was polite and respectful to everyone involved. They granted my appeal, and it was really pretty painless. My mother sits on the board of assessors in a neighboring county and says people appeal all the time; whether they are successful depends on how well they present their case. The assessors aren’t looking to screw anybody; they just want to make sure everyone pays their fair share. Like many people they base their decisions on the information they have available, which may or may not be accurate.
