Tax Grievance Deadline Approaching Post Memorial Day

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty is now offering a free informational booklet, the Rand Guide to Grieving New York Property Taxes, which offers easy-to-follow, comprehensive information about how to challenge property tax assessments. TheGrievance Day deadline for Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess and Orange counties is May 28; and in Westchester, the deadline is June 18 (in Yonkers, it is November 15).

Says Joe Rand, Managing Partner of Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty: “While we understand that our local communities need revenue to fund the schools and services that make our communities such desirable places to live, we also believe that property taxes should be fairly apportioned among property owners. In our experience, though, too many homeowners pay more than their fair share of property taxes because assessors have over-estimated their market value, and those high property taxes can become a tremendous financial burden.”

He added that for people who are selling their homes, “unreasonably high property taxes can become a challenge for selling at a fair price.”

Rand explains that the grieving process is not an easy one, but it is manageable and something many are able to do on their own if armed with the good information and knowledge. “We are happy to help in that effort, particularly by providing you with information on comparable sales that can help you determine your market value and support a case for lowering your assessment. We are also happy to help you if you would like an attorney to assist you in filing your grievance, which we believe is a good idea because of the difficulties of the process and also because most attorneys only collect a fee based on your savings if you are successful,” he says.

“We believe that service to our clients does not end just because you have closed on the purchase or sale of your home,” said Rand. “Rather, most clients need professional real estate services all the time, everything from keeping updated on market news, changes in property values, or information on their local communities.”

For more information and to order the Rand Guide to Grieving New York Property Taxes, please call 845-825-8047.

About Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty

Founded 35 years ago by Marsha Rand, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty today includes more than 1,000 residential real estate sales associates, as well as a commercial real estate company, Rand Commercial; and also the Hudson United Group, which provides residential mortgage lending, title services, and commercial and residential insurance.