Often, matters like this can be resolved with a phone call. However, if after discussing your assessment with your local taxing authority you still feel as though your property was overvalued, a professional, independent, third-party appraiser is often your best bet in proving your case. That's where we come in.

There are as many different procedures for appealing assessments as there are property taxing districts, so it's important to enlist the help of a professional appraisal firm that's experienced and trained in the ins and outs of your particular jurisdiction. 

Please note: It makes sense to do your own research before determining whether to go forward with a property assessment appeal, especially before you make the decision to hire a professional appraiser. However, according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), we are not allowed to take "shortcuts" -- i.e., your research -- and use it on its face as part of our independent evaluation. When you hire us for an assessment appeal, you're commissioning  an independent, third-party professional appraisal report. As such we do our own evaluation, beginning to end. If you're right that your property has been overvalued, an independent report such as ours will be even more persuasive than any other evidence you can marshal on your own. But it depends on our ability to do the work independently.

Additionally, there are times where the assessor "gets it right" - i.e. the assessor's opinion of market value agrees with ours. In such cases, you'll know that any such formal assessment appeal of your property will likely not result in a tax reduction and pursuing this course is a likely waste of the homeowner's time.

A common misconception is that the appraiser, after being engaged by the homeowner, is the homeowner's "advocate" for a lower property assessment. While a successful appeal is always the homeowner's goal in this process, please know that the appraiser is specfically forbidden by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) to not be an advocate in a valuation service. For further information, please see the following link:

http://www.uspap.org/FAQ_files/faq251_300/faq_289_.htm 

Sometimes, you will have a hearing on your assessment appeal and may need for the appraiser you've hired to testify. Be assured that at Star Appraisals Inc., we are able to professionally testify at appeal hearings.  Browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered. NOTE: The fee which is initially quoted for assessment appeal appraisals is for the appraisal only. Any subsequent testimony before the assessment appeal board will be billed on an hourly basis separate from the appraisal fee. Please discuss this with the appraiser prior to ordering the appraisal. In most residential property tax appeal cases, an appearance by the appraiser is not necessary. We recommend consulting the county department of assessment for further information/clarification. While we appreciate any opportunity to provide as many professional services as we can, it is not good business practice to charge for services which are not necessary!

NOTE:

Assessment appeal filing due dates are noted below with links to the county assessor's tax appeals website for each county where we will performed tax appeal valuations. Additional important property tax appeal information can be found at these sites.

Chester County, PA - August 1, 2011:

http://chesco.org/chesco/cwp/view.asp?A=1413&Q=573702

Delaware County, PA - August 1, 2011:

http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/treasurer/appealsfaqs.html

Montgomery County, PA - September 1, 2011:

http://boa.montcopa.org/boa/cwp/view,a,3,Q,18390.asp

New Castle County, DE - March 15, 2011 (passed):

http://www2.nccde.org/landuse/BoardOfAssessmentReview/default.aspx