Helping clients protest property taxes isn’t just a great service—it’s a strategy to gain more business and stay top of mind with your database.
As real estate agents, we’re always looking for ways to provide value, stay top of mind, and build long-term relationships with our clients. But here’s something most agents overlook: educating homeowners on how to challenge their property tax assessments.
With property values continuing to rise in many areas, homeowners are seeing higher tax assessments—and they’re not happy about it. This presents an opportunity for you to step in as an expert, guide them through the process, and position yourself as a trusted resource. This way, you’ll build stronger client relationships, get more referrals from happy homeowners, and have a reason to reach out to past clients and stay at the top of your mind.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can help your clients protest their property taxes—and why this should be part of your real estate playbook.
Step 1: Teach clients how to read their property assessment. Most homeowners have no idea how their tax assessments work or whether they’re accurate. By offering guidance, you provide immediate value. You should encourage them to check their assessment details, such as the square footage and listed improvements, to ensure everything is correct.
They should also compare the assessed value to their home’s actual market value—if it’s overvalued, they might have a case for a protest. Highlighting errors is key, as small inaccuracies can lead to higher taxes. Consider hosting a short webinar or sending out an email to your database, explaining how to check property assessments and what to look for.
Step 2: Show them how to gather supporting evidence. Once homeowners spot discrepancies, they need proof to back up their claim. This is where you can step in as the expert. By guiding them through this process, you not only add value but also solidify your position as a trusted resource in their real estate journey.
In this step, you should provide them with a comparative market analysis (CMA) from the last 6 to12 months that shows their home may be overvalued, document the condition of the property if it has outdated features or needed repairs, and share insights on local market trends—especially if the market has softened in their area, which could indicate they’re being assessed too high. Plus, offering to provide a free home valuation to help them understand if they’re overpaying is a fantastic idea—it also doubles as a lead-generation tool!
Step 3: Guide them through the protest process. You can help by providing resources or even assisting with the paperwork to make the process easier. Offering support during this step demonstrates your commitment to their best interests, building further trust and reinforcing your role as their go-to real estate expert. Just keep in mind that each city or county has a different process for challenging a property tax assessment—but the basics remain the same:
• Filing a formal protest. This usually involves submitting a written appeal along with supporting documentation.
• Meeting deadlines. Many jurisdictions have specific windows for appeals (often early summer).
• Attending a hearing (if necessary) – Some cases require an in-person or virtual hearing to present evidence.
I also recommend sending out reminders about protest deadlines in your area and offer a step-by-step guide to help clients through the process.
Why does this strategy work for your business? Helping clients lower their property taxes isn’t just a goodwill gesture—it’s a smart business move. Helping clients with property tax appeals provides an easy, non-salesy reason to reconnect with past clients, builds trust by positioning you as an ongoing resource, and generates referrals as homeowners share your name with others. Additionally, it boosts engagement with your database through emails, videos, and social posts that directly impact homeowners’ wallets.
Want to implement this in your business? Start by sending an email or making a short video explaining how homeowners can protest their tax assessments—and offer to provide a free property valuation as part of the process. The more value you provide, the more repeat business and referrals you’ll generate. If you want personalized advice tailored to your specific goals, reach out to me today via phone or email. I’d love to hear from you!
