I received my Annual Notice of Assessment from Fulton County today. There was a huge thud as I fell off my kitchen stool. Amazingly enough while the rest of the country sees house values plummet mine has actually skyrocketed into the stratosphere.
Yes, I think a lot of you will be pleasantly surprised when you open your assessments and find out how much Fulton County thinks your property is really worth. My little old homestead is now worth over $300,000 more than it was worth last year! Which is even more amazing as just this last week I was complaining to my husband that lately the place seems to be falling apart and everything needs repairing or replacing.
I called my neighbors. Many of the lines were busy - it seems that a lot of them have received similar good news and were passing it on. Five of my immediate neighbors have seen their properties soar over $300,000 also. One was assessed at over $600,000 more than last year. Median house prices in the US have fallen but here in Fulton County we have somehow managed to realize, in some instances, a 50% gain - this is BIG news. I am thinking of cutting the price Fulton County thinks my house is worth by say......$100,000 and offering it back to them - a good deal for all I think.
The neighbor who now has the house worth $600,000 more called the County. They were told to file an appeal. Are you kidding me? Do they have ANY idea how many appeals are about to rain down on them? This has to be a colossal mistake. Does ANYONE check this stuff before it goes out? Surely the fact that so many properties have gone up so much in value in such a short time in THIS economy must raise red flags? And if it is a mistake who is responsible for wasting all that taxpayer money preparing these assessments and mailing them out to thousands and thousands of homes. At least I hope it is a mistake if not I feel a revoution in the air.
Milton County cannot get here soon enough.
Told me to appeal - well you betcha I'm appealing, for all the good that will probably do me. So the rest of the country has property values in the toilet yet our little corner of the world has gone up over 50%? That would make it the highest gain in the nation by over 25% - things that make you go hmmmmmm............
This downturn has been in effect for several years -
P.S. - Seriously, if I could even dream of getting an offer like they say the value is - I would finally consider leaving! Maybe it's just the fantastic sense of community we have in our little enclave. After all, most of us really like each other.
Fulton County assessors will simply deny it and you will be stuck with their assessment for another year. I recommend that you go immediately request a hearing before the Fulton County “Board of Equalization". Mailing address is: Fulton County Board of equalization, 141 Pryor Street, S.W., Atlanta Ga. 30303 It is a very simple process. You simply request a hearing before the Board of Equalization and in your appeal you state specifically what you think your property is worth. The board usually consists of 3 regular citizens. They are just like you & I. You will be given approx. 15 minutes to present your case. Simply start by write them a letter and requesting a hearing. It is time well spent. Because your tax bill is for tax year 2012, when you go before the board you will have to provide evidence from home sales in your area) in the previous year 2011, not the current year 2013. Or you can present an appraisal by a state certified property appraiser (which could cost you around $300-500). A representative from the Fulton County Assessor’s office has to appear before the Board to justify their numbers and if those numbers are so far out of line as you indicate it a no brainer. Personally, I was denied twice thru the appeals process before resorting to a hearing before the Board. My property assessed value has dropped by 13%. And it went down again this year because they know I’m watching them.
You write a letter; you get a response confirming receipt of the letter; they send you a letter telling you when you’re hearing is scheduled; you go downtown and meet with everyday citizens to present your case; and BEFORE you leave you will have a determination "IN your HAND". Meanwhile the Count must send you a revised tax bill for only 80% until your hearing is complete. Piece of cake.
I won mine two years ago too and my tax bill went down another 10 grand this year. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Unfortunately many people are not able to get to a hearing downtown during a work day, especially one they have no control over scheduling. If that's the case, would say it's reasonable to start with the appeal first.