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💸 “They Raised My Appraisal Again—Can I Fight It?”

  • Writer: Amanda Allen
    Amanda Allen
  • Apr 22
  • 2 min read

Updated: 2 hours ago

Woman in glasses, surprised, holding a paper titled "APPRAISAL NOTICE" in red. Office setting with plants and documents in the background.
"If my home’s value keeps going up like this, I’d like to borrow against the fantasy."

Yes. And you absolutely should.

Welcome to Texas, where the BBQ is spicy, the summers are scorching, and your property appraisal magically increases every year—whether your house improved or not.


Sound familiar?


It should. Because if you own a home here, you’ve likely opened your annual notice and said:

“Wait… how did my home get this much more valuable without me doing a thing?”

And yet… the tax bill grows. Every. Single. Year.


Let’s talk about how to fight it—and why you shouldn’t just roll over and pay for an imaginary value boost.


Here’s the Hard Truth: The Insane Seller’s Market Hurt Us All

Remember the 2021–2022 buying frenzy? People were throwing cash at homes like candy at a parade.

Well guess what?


The appraisal district took notes. And now they’re using those inflated comps to justify higher values across the board—even if your house has peeling paint, water stains, or smells like last decade’s carpet glue.


How to Fight Back (Yes, It Works)

Here’s what they won’t tell you: You don’t have to accept it.

You can appeal your appraisal—and more often than not, they’ll compromise.

But you’ve got to show up with proof. Here's what to do:


Take pictures of everything wrong with the house

  • Peeling paint? Snap it.

  • Roof stains? Click.

  • Cracks in the driveway, warped floors, busted AC? Document it all.

  • Moldy grout, outdated kitchens, stained carpet? Yes, yes, yes.

The uglier, the better. Think of it like reverse staging.

Your job is to convince them your home is not as perfect as their algorithm says.

Bring Comparables

Look up similar homes in your area that sold LOWER than your appraisal.

  • Use active + pending listings (even ones that expired or were withdrawn)

  • Highlight if they had updates or better condition than yours


CAD (County Appraisal District) are your starting points.

📅 Don’t Miss the Appeal Deadline

Every county has a deadline—usually May 15 or a few weeks after you get your notice. You can file online, mail in the form, or show up in person for an informal hearing.

Don’t wait. Once the deadline hits, you’re locked in.


Stop Overpaying for a Home You’re Still Fixing Up

If your ceiling has water spots and your siding is one wind gust away from collapse—you shouldn’t be taxed like you live in a magazine spread. Texas homeowners already pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. Don’t pay a dollar more than you should.


Appeal it. Always. Even if they don’t drop it much—every dollar counts.

You worked hard to buy that home. Don’t let the county overvalue what you’re still updating, patching, or paying off.


Woman in a red shirt working on a laptop at a wooden desk by a window. Brick wall and blurred store view outside. Calm and focused mood.




Need help pulling comps or building your case? Call or text me

📞 903-603-0648


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Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. If you have any questions or if there is a real estate-related topic that you would like me to cover in a future blog post, please don't hesitate to let me know. I value your feedback and am always looking for ways to provide informative and engaging content for my readers. If you do suggest a topic that I end up writing about, I would be happy to give you credit for the suggestion.

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Making sure your home dreams come true.

Image by Tim Mossholder

I'm Sold!   Let's Talk!

 

Amanda.Allen@cbrealty.com

903-603-0648

Coldwell Banker Realty

4210 Ridge Rd. STE 103

Heath, TX 75032

Thank You!

Abstract Paint

~Amanda Allen~

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