Taxing Error - Can you believe there are 35 Houses in Zip Code 77018?

Aug 19
20:38

2014

Patrick O Connor

Patrick O Connor

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Appraisal districts use a process called mass appraisal to value hundreds of thousands of houses. In Harris County, they value about 1.2 million houses each year, using a very limited staff

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Appraisal districts use a process called mass appraisal to value hundreds of thousands of houses. In Harris County,Taxing Error - Can you believe there are 35 Houses in Zip Code 77018? Articles they value about 1.2 million houses each year, using a very limited staff.   Most of the property inspections mandated by state low (every three years) are now done using aerial photography!  Seriously, how much can you tell about the condition of a house viewing an aerial photograph? 

 

 In many cases, the computer-generated estimate of market value is within 10% of the true value.  However, in about half the cases the value set by the appraisal district is either 10% high or low, because of defects in the mass appraisal process. 

 

We believe about 30,000 homes in Harris County over-taxed by 50% or more in 2014.  And about 5,000 homes in Harris County over-taxed by 100% or more.  Between 200,000 and 300,000 Harris County taxes are over-taxed by at least 10%. 

 

While this may seem incredible, it is due to the errors in appraisal district property records, inaccurate data regarding cost, depreciation and comparable sales.  Further, most property owners have limited knowledge about the appeal process and believe myths about appealing property taxes.  They do not understand the HCAD jargon of grade, CDU, level of remodel, land lines, etc.  Compounding the problem is a reluctance to revise HCAD records.  If an HCAD appraiser agrees a property is over-taxed, he will change the value.  However, to correct fields of data such as grade, condition or land value is highly unusual.  So the same problems occur from year to year, frustrating home owners and causing HCAD a consistently high appeal value.  If Harris County Appraisal District would make updating the records part of the appraisal process, it would reduce the number of annual protests.

 

 Since HCAD targets 100% of market value for their homes, half of all houses are over-taxed and half are under-taxedThe result is there are at least 200,000 houses in Harris County over-taxed by at least 10%.  Following is a list of some of the most egregious examples of homes over-valued Zip Code 77018.  If you recognize the address, please call the owner and make sure they protest.

 

Property Zip Code

Property Address

Assessment Ratio

2014 Market Value

Gross Sale Price

Owner Name

77018

419 W 31st St

190%

$787,550

$415,000

Tyler-Martinez Mary P &

77018

1730 Ansbury Dr

132%

$191,768

$145,000

Nemec Leonard R

77018

991 Chamboard Ln

129%

$445,049

$345,250

Donnie G Tv LLC Dba Formula

77018

217 W 44th St

128%

$56,478

$44,000

Cook Marlene Tone % Lavaugh L Cook Estate Of

77018

818 W 43rd St

127%

$317,756

$250,000

Barrow John E & Lisa K

77018

411 Azaleadell Dr

124%

$442,716

$357,000

Serrano Libby R

77018

306 E 38th St

123%

$40,000

$32,500

Elmers David L

77018

1567 Hewitt Dr

121%

$284,462

$235,000

Frodine Lori

77018

1317 Richelieu Ln

120%

$335,047

$280,000

Gebauer Chase

77018

1634 Du Barry Ln

119%

$274,310

$230,000

Torres Jose A & Maria M

77018

947 W 43rd St

119%

$238,498

$200,000

Harkor Homes LLC

77018

1430 Althea Dr

119%

$313,518

$263,250

Code Leslie A

77018

1922 Brimberry St

119%

$380,802

$320,000

Saterfiel Coree

77018

307 E 33rd St

119%

$127,105

$107,000

Smith Toni

77018

733 W 39th St

119%

$379,704

$320,000

Sutherland John A & Courtney S

77018

2307 Poinciana Dr

118%

$709,442

$600,000

Foster Carrie E

77018

1723 Nina Lee Ln

118%

$312,078

$265,000

Perry Homes LLC

77018

922 Fisher St # C

117%

$554,236

$473,000

Shockley David P

77018

4602 Alba Rd

117%

$385,606

$330,000

Twenty Three Ten Development LLC Chalmers John E Estate Of

77018

1514 Du Barry Ln

116%

$343,110

$294,900

Wathen Stacy

77018

1910 Ebony Ln

116%

$278,617

$240,000

Moffitt Mary Ann

77018

831 Lamonte Ln

115%

$736,630

$639,000

Mcguire Holland B

77018

5003 Shady Nook Ct

115%

$459,673

$400,000

Current Owner

77018

2106 Du Barry Ln

114%

$250,686

$220,000

Chamberlain LLC

77018

987 Chamboard Ln

113%

$324,461

$287,000

Jernigan Brett & Kelly

77018

1802 Candlelight Place Dr

113%

$695,906

$615,625

Major Jason L Jr

77018

1814 Saxon Dr

112%

$297,536

$265,000

Perry Homes LLC

77018

938 W 43rd St

112%

$284,908

$255,000

Beeson Lawrence

77018

1903 Brimberry St

112%

$248,879

$223,000

De Atai Limited Company

77018

236 W 30th St

111%

$456,751

$410,000

Daily Paula E

77018

1566 Sue Barnett Dr

111%

$397,997

$360,000

Ortega Megan E & Jesus A

77018

2207 Lamonte Ln

110%

$328,237

$299,000

Howell-Smith Barbra

77018

922 W 42nd St

110%

$279,917

$255,000

Knutson Julie

77018

1234 Du Barry Ln

110%

$319,899

$292,000

Bella Torre Homes LLC

77018

1340 Sue Barnett Dr

110%

$1,064,347

$972,000

Wan Jing

 

Since the property taxes are paid by the mortgage company for most home owners, the pain point for the home owner is about one year too late.  When they receive the notice their monthly payment is increasing by $100 or $200 or more per month, the appeal deadline has likely passed.  The property tax appeal deadline in Texas is May 31, or the following workday if May 31 is on a weekend.