Beyond property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities: What you can do to lower your taxes

by Pierre C. Rumpf 11/13/2023

Many state governments offer property tax exemptions to qualified veterans with disabilities. However, since the amount of coverage and rules for eligibility vary from one state to the next, you may still need some extra help. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can lower your property taxes in the event you have to pay them in full. Here are some tips for keeping your property taxes down:

Limit major projects

Property taxes vary by region, but are also dependent on the value of your home. The more value you put into a home, the higher the potential property taxes can be. One way to control a spike in property taxes is to limit major home improvement projects. Avoid non-essential home improvement projects like adding a swimming pool or remodeling an entire kitchen, as these things are known to increase overall property value.

However, this advice doesn't necessarily apply to all home improvement projects. For example, veterans with disabilities can receive special housing grants to finance home upgrades to accommodate a disability. While these changes can add value to the home, there is more opportunity to ease the financial burden. If you're not sure how a certain project will affect home value, you can consult a professional appraiser for more info.

Check your tax bill for inaccuracies

Conveniently, it's a simple process to obtain a copy of your property tax bill from local government offices. Carefully reviewing the bill can be an excellent way to save on your property taxes. Check for any mistakes or inaccuracies based on the size of your property and livable square footage.

It can also be helpful to research neighborhood home values to confirm how your taxes compare. Major discrepancies might be mistakes you can have resolved in your favor.

Get a second appraisal

A major part of your home's value is determined by the appraisal performed by a tax assessor. If after reviewing your bill you feel there are discrepancies to be addressed, it can be worth hiring an independent home appraiser. Compare the results to determine the most accurate value and potentially save thousands of dollars per year in property taxes.

About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.