Boy, I get a lot of questions about this one. People are getting all sorts of advice about filing a tax grievance on a recently purchased home. As long as you purchased your home under normal conditions, i.e. not a foreclosure, short sale or a forced sale as in a divorce.
First, don’t sign anything with anybody! If you purchased your home within the last year and you see that your value has dropped, (whose hasn't), get your MLS listing from your realtor, next have your realtor give you’re the details on comparable properties that have sold around your address. Check your tax bill, on it you will find the market value your town is using for your property. Get your property’s sale contract and pull out that appraisal you used to buy your home.
Take all of these papers and make an appointment with your town’s assessor. Explain your concerns and you may be pleasantly surprised. If you’re successful, your taxes will be lowered on your next tax bill. That’s it, you’re done. No attorneys, No grievance companies, no consultants and best of all, it didn't cost you a cent.
Now if you’re not happy after your meeting with the assessor, you can still file a tax grievance. Don’t forget your Property SnapShot, it’s FREE and it will help bring the numbers together.
