Property tax consultants are like property tax attorneys in that they help people with their property taxes. There are some differences in their educational levels. This means that consultants will not usually have a degree in law. Homeowners who want to challenge their property tax assessment can hire a property tax consultant to help them lower their property tax bills.
They can help you with determining if your property is assessed fairly, they can contact a local property tax assessor on your behalf, file the paperwork needed for an appeal, help you obtain all the necessary documentation and they will also attend all of the necessary hearings with you. Many property tax consultant organizations have their own qualified appraisers to help ensure your home is assessed fairly. This way, you can be sure that you are not paying too much in property taxes. The consultants can help you get the information you need before you go to a property tax hearing. They have a lot of tools that can help homeowners and make sure they are ready.
How much does a property tax consultant cost?
Property tax consultants typically only charge their customers if they are able to save them money on their tax bill. They will charge you a percentage of the savings from your property tax bill. This means that you will only need to pay them if they are actually able to save you money. This means that the homeowner will not lose anything by using this method. When looking to hire someone, it is always best to hire on a contingency basis. This means that the person you hire only gets paid if they are able to complete the task or goals set forth. Hiring someone who bills you hourly or charges you a flat fee can be risky, as you may end up paying for work that is not completed.
This means that no matter which state you live in, if you want to work as a property tax consultant, you need to make sure you are properly licensed, trained and educated. In order to be a licensed consultant, you typically need to file an application with the state, understand and agree to the code of ethics, have a criminal background check, and complete the required education that the state board approves for consultants.
Some states allow licensed real estate brokers to also act as property tax consultants.
Think about who will provide the best service. In most situations, both of these experts will be more than qualified for the work and task at hand. The real estate attorney may charge more, but both the tax consultant and the real estate attorney can do an excellent job helping with any property tax bill issues or other home assessment needs. The consultant may be more knowledgeable about your specific situation and thus provide better service. A lawyer may have more clients to work with at one time than a mediator. It ultimately comes down to who you feel more comfortable with and what you want out of the situation. It is important to remember that if you choose to use a property tax consultant or real estate attorney, you will still be responsible for paying them for their services. However, many property tax consultants will work only if they get a percentage of the money they save you, while that is less common for a real estate attorney.