At Choice Point Appraisals we perform appraisal assignments for single family residences, income properties, and vacant land. Our clients request our services for new purchases, resales, refinancing, and second mortgages to name a few applications. We also provide our service for homeowners which can be used for P.M.I. removal, estate settlement, divorce, or just general value inquiries 

This is out "Harris County Appraisal" section. This site is here to provide appraisal information about Harris County Texas and we implore you to explore the remainder of our site to learn more about the appraisal process in Harris county.

Let our team of Texas state licensed Harris County Appraisers assist you with all your home valuation needs. For tax records, please visit HCAD or for tax appeals you may visit HCADTEA and learn more about the tax appraisal appeal process.

Areas Covered in Texas: Harris County

Our Appraisers work in the following cities:

Alief
Atascocita
Barker
Barrett
Baytown
Bellaire
Channelview
Clear Lake City
Crosby
Cypress
Deer Park
Galena Park
Hedwig Village
Highlands
Hockley
Houston
Huffman
Hufsmith
Humble
Hunters Creek Village
Jacinto City
Jersey Village
Katy
Kingwood
Klein
La Porte
Nassau Bay
North Houston
Park Row
Pasadena
Seabrook
South Houston
Southside Place
Spring
Spring Valley
Tomball
Webster
West University Place

Tips & Tricks for Appealing Your Property Taxes in Harris County

You should protect your 10% homestead cap by appealing annually. If your assessed value does not change, and you do not appeal, you forfeit your right to a 10% maximum increase the following year. For example, if HCAD does not change your value for four years and you do not appeal your assessed value, they can increase your assessed value by 50% in the 5th year.

The most meaningful way to reduce your property taxes for your home is to obtain a homestead exemption. Most homeowners receive about a 20% reduction from obtaining a homestead exemption.
Reduce property taxes by appealing annually. Property tax appeals are an iterative process. Annual appeals produce the lowest level of assessment. You can file a notice of appeal by utilizing the comptroller's form or by sending a letter to the Harris County Appraisal Review Board.
For a nominal cost, you can receive the HCAD hearing evidence. Obtaining the Harris County Appraisal District evidence (House Bill 201 information) greatly increases your chances for success at the Harris County Appraisal Review Board hearing. When you request this information, it limits HCAD's ability to present any other information at the hearing.

HCAD's record card has data for your property such as building area, land area, year built and condition. Research the Harris County Appraisal District "record card" which has information used to value your property. There are often errors with factors such as land area, building area, year built, year remodeled, grade (quality of construction) and CDU (condition, utility and desirability).

Market value is the price for which your house would sell. Unequal appraisal is whether you are overassessed compared to your neighbors. When preparing for your Harris County Appraisal Review Board hearing you should gather information on market value and unequal appraisal

Comparable sales reference data for the sale price, building size, etc. for properties similar to your property. Comparable sales are the cornerstone of market value. Sources of comparable sales data can be found in the House Bill 201 package obtained from the Harris County Appraisal District and MLS sites.
Unequal appraisal using assessment comparables (the assessed value of other properties) has only been clearly authorized by the Texas Property Tax Code since 2003. Unequal appraisal is often effective in reducing property taxes. Even if your assessed value is below market value, you can appeal based on unequal appraisal.
Unequal appraisal occurs when the Harris County Appraisal District has assessed your property at a higher level than similar properties. The best similar comparables are the same property type (i.e. house for a house) and are close with regard to size, age, location, quality and year built. You can research assessment comparables on the Harris County Appraisal District website.

Sales chasing is when assessors focus on the purchase price for a property but do not revise the assessment for similar properties. Unequal appraisal can be particularly helpful for recently purchased properties. Harris County Appraisal District appraisers are reluctant to reduce the assessed value, when it is below the recent purchase price, even if it is unequally appraised. However, the impartial Harris County Appraisal Review Board is required to consider appeals on both market value and unequal appraisal.

Harris County is a county located in the U. S. state of Texas within the HoustonSugar LandBaytown metropolitan area. As of 2000 U. S. Census, the county had a population of 3. 4 million (though a 2005 estimate placed the population at almost 3. 7 million), making it the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States. Its county seat is Houston6. Harris County is named for John Richardson Harris, an early settler of the area. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,604 km (1,778 mi). 4,478 km (1,729 mi) of it is land and 127 km (49 mi) of it (2. 75%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,400,578 people, 1,205,516 households, and 834,217 families residing in the county, making it the largest county by population in Texas. The population density was 759/km (1,967/mi). There were 1,298,130 housing units at an average density of 290/km (751/mi). The racial makeup of the county was 58. 73% White, 18. 49% Black or African American, 0. 45% Native American, 5. 14% Asian, 0. 06% Pacific Islander, 14. 18% from other races, and 2. 96% from two or more races. 32. 93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,205,516 households out of which 37. 70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50. 60% were married couples living together, 13. 70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30. 80% were non-families. 25. 10% of all households were made up of individuals and 5. 30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 79 and the average family size was 3. 38. In the county, the population was spread out with 29. 00% under the age of 18, 10. 30% from 18 to 24, 33. 40% from 25 to 44, 19.

An unequal appraisal analysis is typically presnted in a table or matrix format. Important components of an unequal appraisal presentation include a reasonable number of comparable properties (about 2 to 10) that are appropriately adjusted. These properties are usually considered to be properties that are similar in regard to the quality and quantity of improvements.

Independent appraisals can be a significant expense. However, in some situations they can effectively document the impact on value of a variety of adverse factors. Obtaining an independent appraisal can effectively document market value and will receive meaningful consideration from the Harris County Appraisal District appraiser and the Harris County Appraisal Review Board panel members.
Recently built properties are usually valued based on HCAD's estimate of cost as of January 1. If the cost of improvements completed through January 1 is less than the assessed value for improvements, the appraisal district will be receptive to reducing their value. For recently built properties, the Harris County Appraisal District appraiser will want to review actual construction cost. A cost segregation report prepared by a qualified appraiser can separate personal property from real property.

The appraiser is compensated based on salary and his compensation does not change if he reduces your assessed value. Most HCAD appraisers are willing to make changes if provided reasonable evidence. At the hearing you will spend a few moments developing a rapport with the appraiser. Be polite with the appraiser - the appraiser is not opposed to reducing your property taxes.
Organize your thoughts and documents before the ARB hearing. Your presentation to the Harris County Appraisal Review Board should be kept between three to five minutes, since the entire hearing only lasts 15 to 20 minutes.

Binding arbitration is a new option made available in 2005. If you are not satisfied with your results from the appraisal review board hearing, you can request binding arbitration. When compared to a judicial appeal, advantages of binding arbitration include a lower cost, informal process, speedier resolution and the loser pays provision.

Binding arbitration allows property owners an informal and inexpensive option if not satisfied with the Harris County Appraisal Review Board's decision. Binding arbitration is available for owners of properties with an assessed value of $1 million or less (after the Harris County Appraisal Review Board hearing) who are only appealing on market value. Binding arbitration can't be used for appeals on unequal appraisal, business personal property, minerals and exemptions.

Many property owners initially handle their own appeal for several years and then hire a consultant. Although you can appeal on your own, hiring a consultant to appeal on your behalf is risk free because there is no flat fee and no upfront costs; you only pay a portion of the savings. There is no fee if there are no savings.