2020 Notices of Appraised Value from the Rains County Appraisal District will be mailed to property owners on or around April15th. According to Rains CAD Chief Appraiser, Sherri McCall, property owners can expect another increase in property values this year. “We are still experiencing an extremely strong real estate market in Rains County and our analysis of available market data dictates an increase in values for the 2020 appraisal roll,”
The appraisal district is required by law to appraise all property at market value as of January 1 each year. The Texas Property Tax Code defines market value as:
“The price at which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under prevailing market conditions if”:
- exposed for sale in the open market with a reasonable time for the seller to find a purchaser;
- both the seller and the purchaser know of all the uses and purposes to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used and of the enforceable restrictions on it its use; and
- both the seller and the purchaser seek to maximize their gains and neither is in a position to take advantage of the exigencies of the other.
Property owners who disagree with the appraised value of their property, the exemptions or any other action by the appraisal district have the right to appeal to the Rains County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel of citizens responsible for hearing and settling property owner protests. The notice of appraised value includes instructions on how and when to file a protest, a protest form and the Comptroller’s Property Taxpayer Remedies. The deadline for filing a protest with the ARB is May 22, or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed your notice of appraised value, whichever is later.
According to McCall, the average home value in Rains County has increased 15 % this year from last year’s average home value. “Keep in mind that the average home value takes into account all the new homes that were added to the appraisal roll for the first time this year.”
The average sale price of average single- family residence has also increased significantly going from $201,450 last year to $237,000 this year. “These are actual figures from the market. Our appraisers do not set values, we simply report what buyers and sellers are doing in the real estate market. As of January, we are still sitting at a low 3.4 months’ supply of inventory which is driving home values up. It’s the basic economic principle of supply and demand.” Due to the corona virus outbreak, there could be disruptions to the building material supply chains and the visiting of showing homes for sale, threatening the market, but these effects will be reflected in next year sales analysis.
It’s important to remember that the appraisal district function in the property tax equation is the value portion. The tax rate, which is the determination factor of the tax amount, is set by the local taxing entities (i.e. cities, schools, county) that levy the property tax. Property owners who disagree with the district’s appraisal of the property will have until May 22th to file a protest with the Appraisal Review Board. “We encourage property owners to take a close look at their appraisal notice and contact our office as soon as possible if there are issues with it. Many of the protests filed can be resolved during an informal meeting or over the phone with one of our appraisers without the need for a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board.” However, any appeals brought forward after the May 22nd deadline cannot be considered.
Property owners can call RCAD at 903-473-2391 to schedule an appointment with an appraiser. Because of the COVID-19 virus, we will be limiting people in the lobby area. Please call to set up appointment with Appraiser. Appeals of your property may be done online at www.rainscad.org.