I received this email from an internet surfer that lives in Canton Michigan about Michigan Property taxes. It is a great question that many people wonder about. Many Michigan property tax protesters sometimes go down this path and get their appeal denied. So here is the question:
I was reading information on your website and wondered if any of the following information matters:
•· My SEV is approximately $300K.
•· My neighbors all of whom have homes that if sold would go for a higher price than mine, have SEVs of ranging from $150K - $250K.
Is it worth mentioning that my neighbors have lower SEVs (yet higher actual market values), or is this irrelevant to my case? 2 of them completely remodeled and another has been in the area for more about 15 years. Perhaps that is why their SEVs are so much less.
Here is my answer.
In order to win your appeal of your Michigan Property tax is to play by the rules the board sets.
What your neighbors have as SEV means nothing. The only item that matters to the tax review board and the assessor is the comps that fall within the dates they are looking at. Usually the dates they want the sold comparables from are October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010. They will be looking at homes that similar in size, shape, and age. They will use comparables from your neighborhood first, and then other similar neighborhoods.
If you bring up their SEV it just makes you look ignorant in their eyes. You can't argue that point because all they care about is current market value to determine SEV for your home. And they determine current market value by taking a snapshot of homes of similar style, size, age in an area close to your home. (It doesn't matter what homes sold for in another city, or what your neighbors SEV is)
So go to your local Michigan tax review board with written proof of homes that sold like yours during the dates they want. Be nice, be professional, and present your case. You will at least make a good case for reducing your taxes.
I hope this helps.
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My Month of April quote:
"Sometimes the only way to get to the far shore is to lose sight of the shore you just left"
Russ Ravary
"helping make your move easier"
your local Metro Detroit Realtor helping clients like you sell and buy homes through out the entire Metro Detroit suburbs. I love showing and selling Oakland County and Livingston County Lake front homes too.
Thanks Russ - Great article - Going to reblog!