Property tax consulting is about finding discrepancies in property values and challenging false assessments. Since the burden of proof falls on the individual homeowner, few have the time or the know-how to challenge their property taxes effectively. The need for a property tax consultant presents a great work at home opportunity.



Every taxpaying homeowner or property manager is a candidate for this service. Just about anyone you present your service to will want to sign up. All that needs to be done is fill out a few forms proving the assessment reduction and running it through the system will be your road to an fantastic earnings stream.

Many similarities exist when compared to financial planners, doctors, accountants, appraisers and lawyers. All have a broad client base that brings in more business than they can handle by word of mouth when developed. Most people want to save money in their property taxes.

When you sign a client, they agree to a contingency fee based on you winning the case. When you win your client's case and say you save them $2,000 in their tax, you'll see a $2,000 commission spread over 2 or 3 years (however you set it up in your contract). A small upfront fee is also normally charged for a basic analysis.

State and local governments seem to be on a continuous spending spree. National statistics show higher payrolls and budgets across the board. That results in yearly increases in the property tax. The selling proposition falls easily into the property tax consultants lap.

Every number of years, when property values on a town's record keeping tax role seem to get out of line, a municipal-wide appraisal is made. It's called a mass appraisal and usually is done every 7 to 15 years.

The town will not hire an appraiser to do the job of individually assessing the value of a home. It would be too expensive. Mass appraisals are bid on and the lowest bid wins. Usually a walk around and look see is all that takes place in this type of blanket appraisal.

Consider who's doing the re-appraisal. The mass appraisal process provides valuation, although quickly obtained, on forms that become transferred to your property record card. To the person measuring your home, time is of the essence and errors occur. Sometimes the appraisal process involves merely driving by to note if there are any changes (called a "windshield appraisal"). Ask yourself, how much attention was given to a property if less than $15 or $20 was allocated per appraisal less the profit the bidder intends to earn from his winning bid. The people employed to gather the information (hired by a mass appraisal contractor tying to make a profit) are on a quota, have questionable appraisal skills and are not a substitute for careful analysis.

The homeowner needs help to check the blanket appraisers figure and to account for changes in market values. Because taxpaying homeowners are stressed for time and lack know how they need someone's help.

Unless government tightens its belt, higher taxes one way or another are inevitable. Until that happens, this work at home business service will be in high demand. As long as high taxes continue, the services of a property tax consultant will be eagerly sought.