Appealing an Assessment Can Be Worth It

Experts say appealing a tax assessment isn’t particularly difficult and it can significantly reduce what a home owner pays. Start by calling the tax assessors. Ask how the property is assessed and discuss your specific concerns.

Make sure the assessors have the correct physical description of the house, including the proper square footage and the correct number of bathrooms and bedrooms.

Tell the assessors about things that an inspection from the outside the home doesn’t reveal, such as the leaky basement, the crack in the foundation, or other problems that can’t be easily resolved.

Point out other homes in the neighborhood that are of a similar in size and quality, but have lower assessments.

Distraught Owner Gets Second Chance at Auction

A Dallas woman bought a foreclosed home at auction and returned it to the woman who lost it. Marilyn Mock was at the auction to help her son buy a house when she struck up a conversation with a distraught Tracy Orr, who was watching the proceedings and crying.Orr originally bought the house for $80,000 in 2004, but fell behind on payments. She lost her job a month after taking on the loan, and earlier this year lost the property. Mock sympathized, joined the bidding and bought the house for $30,000.Orr will now make payments to Mock, rather than a bank. . She said Mock bought her more than a home. “She gave me something inside, and that's more important than material or financial things," Orr said.