JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — Many homeowners in Jefferson County are checking their mailbox and finding an appraisal letter with yet another increase on their property values.
Joseph Zak is a retired registered nurse, he said he has protested his property's appraisal for the last four years, even arguing his case in front of the appraisal review board.
"I mean two years ago my house was valued at 90. And I don't think it's worth that now. I don't even think it's worth the 90, much less $122 thousand," said Zak.
Zak is not the only Jefferson County home owner experiencing property tax increases.
"The county as a whole, your probably looking about 50% of the residential properties went up. Probably close to that number stayed the same," said Angela Bellard, a Chief Appraiser.
Bellard says that home valuations have been increasing by an average of 10% over the last 3 years, all in an effort to keep up with home market value.
This brings to light an interesting question. How does the county appraise your home?
"We do our appraisals by an outside inspection, so if there's something going inside that we're not aware of the pictures are gonna be extremely helpful to alert us to what's going on," said Bellard.
Zak always takes new pictures before he meets with the appraisal review board.
"I took new pictures, even if the damage was already there. I took new pictures so that they knew I wasn't trying to use old photographs," said Zak.
If you're looking to protest the bill you received in the mail, you can do so online and eventually speak with an appraiser on the phone.
You can also fill out the protest form, then mail it in or drop it off in person. It's important to check every box including exemptions that apply to why you're protesting.
However, it is important to do your research before you make your case.
"If you do not check market value, and you come in and start talking about market value they're not gonna be able to hear that part of your complaint," said Bellard. "Homeowners need to make sure that they come in and talk about their value. And if they felt like it's not worth what we have it appraised for bring in evidence to support why you don't feel like it's worth that appraisal."
If you wish to dispute an appraisal you can fill out a form here or visit the Jefferson Central Appraisal District website.
Also on 12NewsNow.com...