I recently started working for the Bexar County’s Appraisal Review Board.

I knew my 30 years as a real estate agent and my experience for the last 15 years protesting our property taxes would be an asset, but after a few days of training, I believe it is going to be a really “satisfying” job, and I will be working with really great co-workers.

Sometimes we land in the right place at the right time and it’s happening now. I will be attending more training classes, but the real season of property tax protests begin in May and will end in October, and I am liking what I am learning.

I retired as a realtor in 2019. Some days have been boring, but now I have something new to do. I thought all my co-workers would be from real estate, but many are retired Teachers, CPAs, and Nurses.  

When you protest your property taxes, you usually start with the “Informal Hearing.” It can be by phone, zoom or in-person. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome from the “Informal Hearing,” the next step would be the “Formal Hearing.” Again, it can be over-the-phone, on a zoom call or in-person.

The difference between the “Informal Hearing,” and the “Formal Hearing.”

At the Informal Hearing, it’s just the Homeowner talking to the County Appraiser.

At the Formal Hearing, it’s the Homeowner, the County Appraiser and 3 other people in the room known as “Appraisal Review Board” members.

I will be one of those people in the room. The ARB members will express opinions after hearing from the Homeowner and the County Appraiser. The homeowner always has the final say, but the ARB members can be very influential.  If you protest your property taxes, and attend the Formal Hearing, I might be in the room.