Valuation11.doc. 1-22.
NEBRASKA TAXPAYERS FOR FREEDOM WORKSHEET:
INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS FOR CHALLENGING YOUR HOME VALUATION INCREASE EARLY.
Step 1: First, access the following website to examine your 2022 valuation: dcassessor.org/valuation-lookup. If you believe that your new assessment does not reflect the market value of your home, proceed using the following steps. Note that your valuation at this time is only a preliminary estimate and subject to change until final valuations posted in May.
Step 2: Between January 18 and February 1, 2022, call 402-444-6734 to schedule a virtual or phone meeting with a personal appraiser through the Douglas County Assessor. The office schedules appointments on a first call first served basis through March 1, but you MUST call by Feb.1 for such appointment. After this date, you may mail Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds, Attn: Preliminary Valuation, 1819 Farnam St., 4th floor, Omaha, NE. 68183, email valuationissues@douglascounty-ne.gov, or drop off information below at the Assessor’s office to review. All your information must reach this office by March 1. Understand, however, that waiting until the last minute to provide information may not allow time for an appraiser to conduct a thorough review of your documentation. You can protest, even if your valuation has not changed from last year.
Step 3: The Assessor by email will send you your Property Record File to review after you schedule a virtual or phone meeting. If you lack email, you will receive this file by USPS certified mail.
Step 4: No in-person meetings this year. Prepare for your virtual or phone meeting supporting documents to bolster your arguments, such as appraisals, comparable market analysis (CMA) from a realtor (see form on assessor website), valuations of properties like your home, similar home sale prices in your neighborhood, price paid for your recently-purchased home, home inspection analysis by certified home inspector, photos of deplorable conditions in your home, such as water damage, bowed basement walls or roof, crumbling driveway, etc. with repair estimates from contractors, and neighborhood issues such as dilapidated properties or encroachment of rental units. Sometimes, square footage or number of rooms calculated erroneously. Make 2 copies of all supporting documentation, one for you and one for assessor. Note that the office will not return your photos.
Step 5: If you choose to drop off information downtown in person (my recommendation), park at a meter or in a nearby parking garage. Go to the 4th Floor Assessor Office lobby and wait for assistance.
Step 6: Be sure to review your Property Record File prior to your virtual/ phone meeting. The appraiser will explain the basis of the 2022 valuation on your home. Then you can provide relevant information to the appraiser regarding why you believe the valuation is set too high. Precisely state reason(s) why you believe your valuation is incorrect. Show supporting documentation. Appraiser will not make final determination at this meeting.
Step 7: Assessor staff will review all the information and make a decision, which the office will post on its website but not until May. See http://www.dcassessor.org/valuation-lookup. Final valuation notices sent by June 1. Notices mailed only if a change in your valuation.
SHOW ONE OF TWO ARGUMENTS IF APPLICABLE:
A. EQUALIZATION. Evidence that property is assessed higher than comparable properties in your neighborhood.
B. VALUATION. Evidence that property could not be sold for the Assessed Value assigned to it by the County Assessor.
Step 8: If you believe your valuation still wrong, you can file a formal protest with the Douglas County Board of Equalization in June, 2022.