Sunday, October 12, 2008

Best Home Base Business - Property Tax Consulting

By John McKay

Aiding taxpayers|Helping homeowners lower their tax assessments as a part-time business idea can be a good if not the best home based business opportunity for many. A lot of people are struggling to keep up with property tax increases. Bankruptcies are being filed and people are losing their houses. People shouldn't be paying taxes higher than what their properties are really valued for.

We're seeing so many families facing foreclosure and rising property taxes while their home values fall. That doesn't sit right with most people's sensibilities. Most people don't have the time or knowhow to challenge their property taxes. Errors exist in the tax data especially considering that comparable home prices are dropping. That's where this home business shines. The role of a property tax consultant is to help people with their taxes.

Property tax consultants work on a contingency basis. What that means is that they do not charge their customers other than a onetime investigation fee for their services unless they win a tax reduction for their client.

If you win the assessment appeal, the client rewards you with a portion of the property tax reduction. It doesn't cost the homeowner anything unless you work a win for them ... and it is relatively effortless to win.

The amount of savings you reduce the homeowner's property taxes by is your fee. For instance, if the property taxes were $9,000 and you saved the client 22% on their assessment, your fee would be $1,980. Generally you structure the payment due over a 2 or 3 year period.

In this climate of falling home prices, finding comparable sold homes that sold for less value than the assessment price placed on your clients home are effortless to find. The time is opportune for this business opportunity. Upon finding good comparable sold home and with using a good property tax appeal manual, you should be able to get a reduced assessment and pay less property tax on your client's home.

Charge a small one-time fee to help offset your overhead costs. When you are starting out, this is helpful. You'll want to cherry pick the more expensive homes and those cases you feel you have the best chances to win.

A lot of people are distressed over their high property tax bill and finding customers is quite easy. This little known work from home business is a blessing for the homeowner. Local government is generally constantly raising their tax amounts instead of cutting back. - 15431

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