Taxpayers take advantage of help from city, Realtors
Third appraisal workshop is Saturday morning
BY MARY HENKEL JUDSON SOUTH JETTY EDITOR

Of note STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Port Aransas resident Neal Benge, foreground, takes notes on Saturday, May 31, at a city-sponsored workshop held at Ellis Memorial Library to teach property owners about property appraisals and the Nueces County Appraisal District. About 45 people attended the workshop Saturday, and about 25 came to another one held on Thursday, May 29. A third workshop will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at the library.

Response to two tax appraisal workshops was such that a third one has been scheduled for Saturday, June 7.

It will be at 11 a.m. in the meeting room at the Bill Ellis Memorial Library. Property owners should bring their appraisals with them. They also may bring their wireless-capable laptop computers so they can connect to the Nueces County Appraisal District's Web site during the workshop.

About 20 attended the first workshop on Thursday, May 29, and 35 to 45 attended the workshop on Saturday, May 31. Each workshop lasted about an hour and a half.

The workshops were sponsored by the City of Port Aransas, in cooperation with members of the real estate community who volunteered their time.

The city provided Internet access to view the appraisal district's Web site for more information, and a two-page handout with basic information, and suggestions on how to move through the process of getting individual property values lowered was also provided.

Thursday, property owners met one-on-one with Realtors who helped determine whether their appraised values were in line with their neighbors by looking at sales figures and real estate activity in the area, said City Manager Michael Kovacs.

"Sadly, we had to tell some that there appraisals were in line," said Realtor Keith McMullin, who is also a member of the city council.

City staff and participating Realtors gave property owners tips on how to deal with the appraisal district staff.

"This is our primary strategy -- to arm citizens with information to go to the appraisal district individually, rather than collectively (as a city, which is what the city did last year)," Kovacs said.

"They (property owners) definitely want to follow the steps, then (if not satisfied with the results of their conversation with appraisal district staff) file a protest and move quickly," he added.

Realtors assisting McMullin at Thursday's workshop were Suzette Freeman, Larry Hall and Marcus Starkey.

Since the crowd was larger and only three Realtors (McMullin, Patty Eggleston and Becky Corder) attended, Saturday's workshop was more a discussion and question-andanswer format, Kovacs said.

Because of the turnout, "we couldn't have one-on-one meetings" with the property owners. So, Mc- Mullin collected information from the property owners and took it back to his office at Port Aransas Realty, where it was divided among Realtors who did research and reported their findings to the property owners.

Property owners "asked a lot of good questions," Kovacas said.

Lorraine Stern, a former city council member now serving on the appraisal district's board of directors, brought summary sheets used by the appraisal district, "which is what we asked for last year and didn't get," Kovacs said.

The appraisal district, he said, has "rethought the way they approach (appraisals) and they've done a lot to do this better."

Meanwhile, Kovacs said the city is waiting to get the preliminary taxable value from the appraisal district that will show values for new construction as well as values for existing properties.

"New growth means new money, new services and equipment and less taxes for everybody else," Kovacs said.

Property owners in Port Aransas have reported appraisals this year that are as much as 200 percent over last year. Last year, property values went up so much that the city took the unprecedented step of protesting to the appraisal district on behalf of single-family homeowners.

The city has provided the following tips for property owners who think their appraisals are too high. • Call your real estate agent or talk with a Realtor in your area who knows the market. Talk to them about your home (or show them) and ask them what they think of your appraised value. If they say they think they could sell your home within a few months for that amount or more, stop. You're at market value. Proceeding beyond this point is dishonest if you know you're appraised value is at or below market value. If you still think you're appraised value is too high and you can't sell your property for that value, contact the NCAD staff to schedule a time to talk about your appraisal. Do this as soon as possible. You can reach them at (361) 881-9978 or look them up on the Internet at www.nuecescad.net

• When talking with the NCAD staff, be courteous and bring as much information to back up your claim to a lower value as possible (quotes from former neighbors on sales prices, realtor information, neighbors' appraised values and home types, issues specific to your property, etc.). Remember, they are trying to get an accurate number for your property, too. The process should not be adversarial, it is about working to get to an honest fair market value.

• If you believe the staff has made a mistake and left your value higher than market, you may file an appeal with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Instructions for filing an appeal came with your property appraisal. Once again, you need to do this as soon as possible. City leaders spotted a trend worth noting that people who went to the ARB early in 2007 did well, those who waited did not. (The ARB members are citizens appointed by the NCAD board.)

• If the ARB renders a decision that you believe is not reflective of your market value, you may request an arbitration hearing from the Texas State Comptroller's office. The filing fee for an arbitration hearing is $500. A decision by the comptroller's office will be binding. See the state's website at www.window.state.tx/us/ taxinfo/proptax/arbitration05/ for more information.