Well as you may have noticed in Fort Bend as many residents have, our homes appreciated significantly this year despite all the doom and gloom news we get bombarded with from the media about the housing market. So what are we to d with gas prices going up, grocery bills going up, cost of living going up? We have to compromise somewhere, and who likes paying extra taxes?

How about protesting your property taxes to get a reduction? It should be a significant saving and can be done yourself. Its a matter of appealing before the deadline: before Midnight May 31. Why not protest, after all the media is constantly telling us about housing worries. How can homes be appreciating so dramtically in a supposedly "slow housing market" that the tv talks about daily?

Complete the protest form that came with your latest appraisal and submit it back to the appraisal district office.

Start collecting information on recent homes sold similar to yours in the neighborhood. They should be similar in size, bedrooms, bathrooms, age, location, type of construction, etc. Sales closest to Jan 1 are ideal. You can contact your professional Realtor for a CMA and consultation about your home value. Or you can hire a licensed appraiser for a report. Make sure the appraisal documents you recieved are accurate: square footage, tax rate correct, correct address, owner name, etc.

What are some examples that may affect your home value?

• foundation problems, cracked driveways, or plumbing problems
• any repairs that need to be made to sell the home for the full market value
• depreciating factors such as a broken ac unit, improperty maintainance of property
• location: busy and noisy street vs quiet lot by a serene creek
• do you have a back deck falling apart, or any deteriorating structures

Look over some of the properties in the CMA to see if they have been updated or remodeled compared to yours? Document everything with photographs and a writen report. Get estimates from contractors and repair service providers.

Do you qualify for any other exemptions that arent showing? Homestead, over 65, disabilty, diabled veterans.

The Appraisal Review Board will notify you 15 days in advance of your hearing date and time to appear before them to protest. Be on time. You may also arrive early to listen to another protest hearing before yours to be familiar with the process and you may learn what works and what doesnt.

When its your time to protest:

• Stick to the facts
• Be prepared and well organized
• Be respectful of the Appraisal Review Board

If this is inconvenient for you or you find the process intimidating, remember your local Appraisal Review Board encourages you to protest. Most people who show up to protest are given a reduction. If this is still too much for you, you can hire an attorney or property tax service company to protest on your behalf.

Good Luck and congratulations in advance on your tax savings.