Home appraisals rising again in Bexar County

Bexar residential values up average 8.7 percent

SAN ANTONIO – Most Bexar County home owners can expect word that their property is worth more. On the downside, that means a higher property tax bill.

On average, residential valuations for Bexar County are up 8.7 percent, said Mike Amezquita, chief appraiser for the Bexar Appraisal District.

"We expect 80 percent of the taxpayers in Bexar County, residential, to receive a notice from us," Amezquita said. The district only mails notices if a valuation rises at least $1,000."

With an 8.7 percent increase, a property owner whose home is currently valued at $200,000 can expect to pay about $460 more in property taxes. That's for a San Antonio resident in the North East Independent School District, and if tax rates remain the same.

Appraisals follow the housing market and rising sales prices.

"This has really been a seller's market, meaning values are still going up," Amezquita said.

Some areas are seeing huge fluctuations.

Dignowity Hill will see an average increase of 37 percent, according to the Bexar Appraisal District. Harlandale will see an average 36 percent jump and Southtown will see an average increase of 47 percent.

That's no surprise to Alejos Aranda, who bought his Southtown home two decades ago.

"I see a lot of remodeling," he said. "The older houses are coming up. I see a lot of new faces, people coming from out of state, like California and New York."

Amezquita said the North Side values are still increasing, but said the more affordable neighborhoods inside Loop 410 are seeing the largest fluctuations.

"We are seeing a lot of people moving back into the urban core, if you will, not wanting to make that commute," he said.

Property owners who take issue to their new valuation can appeal. In fact, Amezquita encourages it.

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About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.