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Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Tax Appeals?
Date:	6/21/2011 9:48:48 PM

Anyone filing tax valuation appeals for Elmore County? Looks like they are trying to take a hard line to keep their tax base up in spite of falling values....

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Tax Appeals?
Date:	6/21/2011 10:05:55 PM

And I was just thinking they are finally getting somewhat in line with the market. Mine dropped almost 100k this year; still a little high but getting better. I tried the appeals process 3 years ago and it was a no contest situation. If you want to fight, be prepared to hire a lawyer and sign a waver to pay ALL costs of a trial (if you loose) once the "board" tells you to pack sand. I thought about looking into a class action situation, but since they have backed off for the last 2 years I won't be on the prong of the fork. If anyone else would start such an adventure, I would probably support it.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Tax Appeals?
Date:	6/21/2011 10:24:05 PM

BTW the one thing that didn't come over in the legal system from Great Britain was the "loser pays" rule. I don't know who told you that but I doubt its correct.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Tax Appeals?
Date:	6/21/2011 11:25:11 PM (updated 6/21/2011 11:27:55 PM)

They sent me the documents to sign once they rejected the appeal (the appeals process was definitely a good ol' boy kangaroo court). The documents I received required for me to post a bond and sign the notice if I wanted my day in court and specifically said that if I lost, I payed. I had just refinanced and even had an appraisal, but the guy in the initial appeal had the gall to say that appraisals for loans meant nothing because they factored in foreclosures and other negative effects from the bad housing market. I figured that if I went to court, there would be more good ol' boy back room politics.

Name:	Spot Remover -	Reply
Subject:	Tax Appeals?
Date:	6/22/2011 10:39:07 AM

Have someone look at the appraisal to find out if the comps were "highly motivated" sales. Those shouldn't be used except in similar situations. Really don't know of any appraisers that would use lowball comps for a refinance. Most would want the actual (higher value) to help the re-fi or sale go through.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Tax Appeals?
Date:	6/22/2011 1:30:05 PM

I agree. The comps used were good and the appraisal was over 200k lower than what Elmore county was taxing me at the time. My property value has probably fallen further, but at least the county appraisal is dropping too. The appeals group never even reviewed the copy I presented and they didn't care what points I made....my being there was just a required formality for them. (I also realize the value is based on the previous year). Anyway, the overage I'm paying isn't enough to justify a court battle and attorney fees...if there was a group effort, it may make the endeavor worth it.

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