You Have Nothing to Lose! The real estate market has been relatively strong over the last couple of years so expect to receive a “love letter” from the appraisal district this year. Need a little less love? Attend one of the free “Effectively Protest Your Property Value” classes listed below. Don’t have an hour and half to sit in class? Follow the simple steps below. No matter what path you take, do something! Historically, 95% of those who show up at the CAD each year benefit from some level of reduction in value. Lower values mean lower property taxes. Responsible property owners insure the information maintained by the CAD is accurate.

Your value will increase if it has been improved (added onto or if lowered recently due to condition) or if an adequate number of sales have occurred in the neighborhood. If there is an error in the records, you actually paid less than the appraisal notice indicates (recently), the physical condition is below average for similar homes or the value is higher than others in your neighborhood, you should schedule an informal conference with a CAD appraiser.

Is it worth your time? Find out by going to the GCAD website at www.galvestoncad.org. Locate your property, print and review the Datasheet for accuracy. Better yet, email the GCAD (Contact Us) from the website and request your property ”appraisal card.” This “card” contains more detailed information than the online version including a sketch of your property. Other options? Visit the GCAD at the Mid-County Annex in Texas City and pick up the information.

Next? Compare your value to others in your neighborhood. Search by street name then compare your property using the 2014 Neighborhood Comparison Worksheet available at www.galcotax.com. Adjust as instructed for differences (carport versus enclosed garage, deck versus patio, etc.). Then, if your property appears to be overvalued, make an appointment before May 31st. The CAD uses statistical analysis to determine the value of over 180,000 properties throughout the county. Your goal will be to demonstrate why yours is not like the others in the neighborhood.

Other options? Attend a class (see below). You have nothing to lose and much to save!

Cheryl E. Johnson, RTA
Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector

• 4/22/14, Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody (21st St), Galveston, 6 pm
• 5/1/14, Fine Arts Auditorium Room F-117, COM, 1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, 6 pm
• 5/15/14, Judge McCumber’s Courtroom, North County Annex, 174 Calder Drive, League City, 6 pm
• 5/17/14, West Galveston Island Property Owners Association Meeting, 9 am, Galveston Country Club, 14228 Stewart Rd, Galveston
• 5/20/14, Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody (21st St), Galveston, 6 pm

All classes last anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the number of questions asked.