Combating High Coos Bay Property Taxes

Combating high Coos Bay property taxes is something people should be aware of in a time when home values have dropped significantly.  It can be a puzzling question to many homeowners, leaving many thinking that if my home value has dropped 25%, why have my property taxes not decreased by the same amount?  

However there is hope in sight. If you make an effort to challenge your property tax bill, it can be adjusted.  The first step is to take a good look at your property tax bill.  This year’s assessment and last year’s assessment should be listed, as well as a breakdown of how your taxes are allocated and added up.  You should have a good idea of the value of your property and whether or not you have been assessed properly.  A good next step is to approach your Assessor’s Office. 

What to examine in order to help you lower your assessment:

• Living space, is the correct square footage of living space filed with your county?
• What are your home’s flaws?  A bad layout or location can make your home less likely to sell but the upshot is that these flaws could work to your advantage as far as its assessed value goes.
• Compare your home to your neighbor’s home and see if your assessments are similar.  If you are assessed higher you have cause for adjustment.
• A professional appraisal of your real estate can be helpful as you certainly shouldn’t be paying taxes for more than your home is actually worth.

In some cases a petition may have to be filed to adjust your Coos Bay property’s assessed value and reduce your property tax bill. In other cases the Assessor’s Office can provide a remedy.  The most important thing to remember is that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and if you don’t try to lower your property tax it certainly will not decrease on its own.

Jan Delimont, a MBA educated Coos Bay Realtor, can help you find the perfect Coos Bay property for sale.  Contact Jan Delimont at 541-290-1850 or by email today to talk further about your Coos Bay real estate concerns.

Click here for a complete library of property tax appeal information from Realtor.org.