Property assessment appeal deadline approaching. What to do?

Submitted by dat0dat t3_124wxi6 in pittsburgh

Like everyone else, I’ve experienced the joys of purchasing in good ole Allegheny county. In both cases, we were assessed at 100% of sale and fought to get right around 80%. The first time, we used an attorney. The second time, I went myself. It was an odd experience and felt like something out of 12 monkeys. It was during the height of Covid and the office was shocked when I showed up in person, never mind the never provided any dial in information. Clearly the solicitor and appeals clerk were on friendly terms. Regardless, it was an easy fight down to 80% again and I avoided attorney’s fees.

Fast forward to last night and I’m sitting in a bar with my buddy and we are talking about the lawsuit and he said he filled out two forms on the county site and appealed to get down to something like 63%. I’m on the site today and I can’t find the forms to complete. Has anyone done this? And if so, what justification do you use for your appeal? Did you cite the lawsuit? 63% is better than 80% but 80% is better than 100%.

Thanks in advance.

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LibatiousLlama t1_je2dcle wrote

Common level ratio is law. They are required to apply the common level ratio unless they can prove your house was sold at less than it was worth which is difficult. I'd say just eat the 300 bucks and make a rent rate lawyer deal with it. That's worth the cost of your time. It's a phone call for the lamest of lawyers. For you it's a waste of a shit load of your time and stress.

I ain't no lawyer but I just did this shit. I was also acquaintances with the people who sued in an attempt to force the county to do a county wide reassessment. The judge flaked but reduced the clr.

It's a crap shoot where the lawyers do nothing for a year then it finally gets resolved by a few emails. Super annoying. But it's most likely not worth your time to do it yourself.

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dat0dat OP t1_je2f2vc wrote

Thanks for the info. I’ve already reduced down 20%, which is the typical 80% from 100% of sale. But I’m wondering if this is just the same procedure all over again with the same people, same forms, etc in hopes of further reducing down to common level ratio without any evidence used in the initial appeal (which is typically “necessary” home improvements)? And if so, is there a risk of losing the appeal and being assessed back to 100%?

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LibatiousLlama t1_je2fsp8 wrote

Clr is like 63%.... 80% is not typical. A 17% reduction in your taxes would likely pay for your lawyer bills in a year, it did for us. You should call one of em up and have a chat, it will all be free. They can give you real advice.

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tesla3by3 t1_je2j6gg wrote

CLR was 81.1% until recently. Due to a court case it's now 63.6.

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