Why haven't I ever heard of this?

Most of the time and certainly in the last 10 years or so, California real estate values were increasing. During those times there is nothing to appeal. Our tax system under Proposition 13 sets the assessed value at the purchase price in the vast majority of cases and the tax can only increase a maximum of 2% each year over the preceding year's value. So if you paid $200,000 for your home say in 2001 the current assessed value is roughly $225,000 (the base year or purchase price value and the accumulated 2% increases). The current value is probably in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. In this case as is true for most California homeowners there is nothing to appeal. Compare that to someone who bought a very similar house for $500,000 in 2005 who would have an assessed value today of roughly $530,604 at the Prop 13 value. More details on Props 8 & 13

Doesn't this process lower the value of my property?

No, this is a common misunderstanding. Think about what is taking place. If the value of real estate in your area has not decreased there likely will be no reduction. The only time we can be successful in reducing your tax is when we can demonstrate to the county that values have already declined. Additionally, real estate appraisers and the county appraisers do not use assessed values to determine current market values.

How much will I really save?

That varies from property to property but most homeowners will save several hundred dollars each year that our real estate values remain depressed and will only go back up when the values increase. By way of an example if the tax rate for your area is 1.14% and your reduction is $35,000 your annual saving would be $35,000x .0114 or $399.

When do I find out if I got a reduction?

In most counties the new value will be enrolled for the following tax year, in some cases it may take up to two years but the appeal does not expire and once reduced you will see the reduction reflected in your tax bill and you will receive a refund starting with your first filing year.

I have a recent refi appraisal that indicates the value is the same as when I purchased, does that mean I cannot get a reduction?

Probably not. Firstly, the dates of the comparable sales are quite specific and may not at all coincide with the sale the refi appraiser used. Secondly, most refi appraisals try to substantiate the existing loan balances or increase the limits to allow enough value to get a new loan in place. While it is indeed an appraisal (estimate of value) its goal is to push the estimate as high as is reasonable, while our goal is almost just the opposite.

Should I submit all of my properties to appeal?

No, as the discussion above would indicate, most property is not over assessed. Property Tax Adjusters mailed only to the owners of property likely to receive a reduction.

What if I have an impound account?

It does not affect your impound account or the payment amount at all right now. When the assessor's office stipulates to a reduction your tax bill will be reduced and your lender will get the tax information from the tax bill as always.

Doesn't the county automatically reduce my taxes?

In some cases they do, but in most counties, many eligable properties will not be reduced. Sometimes it's the case that reductions are averaged across an area, which leaves many homeowners still over-assessed. Furthermore, we have been successful reducing taxes beyond the "automatic" reductions the counties initiate.

If I submitted an appeal last year should I use your service again this year?

In some cases you will want to appeal subsequent years. If we find that your value has continued to drop below our requested value from a previous year we will notify you again by mail.

Is this a scam?

No, absolutely not! If it was, would every county have an Assessment Appeals Board? This is a service that only becomes necessary in the infrequent times when California real estate values actually decline. There are agencies in the state that provide this or a similar service every year but they usually are concerned with base year values on commercial or manufacturing property. What is the value of Petco Park as an example. There are no local comparables and the owner and the assessor may differ on the value. Fortunately, residential real estate is easier to determine because there is usually a large amount of data to support a value but the assessor may still have a different opinion of value than the owner.

What if I don't know my APN (Assessor's Parcel Number)?

It is on your tax bill, available from your mortgage holder or your county's Assessor's Office.