Anyone experienced Arbitration while protesting your taxes?

[Backwoods101]

So Fort bend county is appraising our home at $80,000 more than what we paid for it in June of 2014. First off, at that price, it is for sale. This was my first attempt at protesting taxes and evidently I checked the wrong box and my appeal went nowhere. 2nd round of protest is done through a arbitrator. I have sent in the $500 to get it started and now I'm getting my evidence together for round 2.
-Should I get another appraisal?
-Should I take current pictures? (I have the pictures from the inspector from when we bought it in July of last year)

If I lose this year, the chances of bringing it down in the future will be slim to none.


Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bryce

[Huntindad]

the appraisal is on a year by year basis. What happens in year 1 should not determine what happens in year 2. It all depends on the comps in your area. Have you asked them for their evidence packet? Travis county will supply that and is the basis for the appraised value.

Appraised value is supposed to be on Jan. 1 of each year. Unless they have higher comps I would think you stand a good chance to have the appraisal reduced.

[be12hunt]

I protested my appraisal a couple years ago and it was nothing. Just brought them our closing docs that showed what we paid for and explained the condition of the house and they dropped it by about 50k.