advice on appealing real estate assessment?

In My Humble Opinion
1

We bought a house last summer and filled out some data sheets for the assessor’s office. Last week I got a letter saying that my assessment had been raised (by about 20%). The reason given was “Bath/Finished Attic.”

I called the office to see if they could explain this rather cryptic remark. It seems that I erred by filling out the forms honestly; apparently, the previous owner had told the assessor’s office that the house had an unfinished attic and only one bathroom. Ah well! Anyway, the new assessment is based on this new information.

I had thought at first I might try to appeal the new assessment, because it seems to me that a 20% jump is a lot for a second bathroom and a finished (2-room) attic. The guy I talked to said he couldn’t advise me one way or the other, but he did say that even the current assessment would be “more or less normal” for a house that cost $150,000; mine is worth (or at least I paid) $182,500.

There’s no point in appealing if there’s no chance to win, and I REALLY don’t want to appeal if there’s any way the assessment could be ratcheted further upward. So, what do you guys think? Is it worth appealing? Do I have a chance? Could they decide to push it up, or can filing a grievance only change it by bringing it down?

I appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Thanks!

2

Appealing is very simple. Which state do you live in?

3

The way to do this is to find other properties that are similar to yours and see how their assessments look.

You can get descriptions of houses as of the last time they sold via the multiple listing service or some clearinghouse… I can get them through the Boston Globe’s web site in my area. The assessments you would get from the assessors office, or they may have been published in a local paper. (In my town they re-assess the whole town every so often, and the local paper publishes all the values.)

4

Thanks for the replies; gives me a better idea of what to think about. MercyStreet, we’re in New York State if that helps. Can they push my assessment further up if I file a grievance? Or does that vary by state, too?