What to Expect in Your 2025 Harris County Property Valuation Notice (PDF download included)

In just a few weeks, Harris County homeowners will begin receiving those anxiety-inducing white envelopes from the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD). Inside is information that will directly impact your property tax bill for the entire year—and potentially years to come if left unchallenged.

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With Harris County property values continuing their upward trend, being prepared before your notice arrives is more important than ever. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what to expect in your 2025 Harris County property valuation notice, how to interpret it, and what steps to take when it arrives.

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🗂️ Better understand your Notice of Appraised Value with this downloadable Outfox PDF.

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What's Included in Your Valuation Notice?

Your Harris Central Appraisal District property valuation notice contains critical information presented in a standardized format. Here's a section-by-section breakdown of what you'll find:

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1. Property Identification

The top portion includes:

• Your property account number
• Legal description of your property
• Property address
• Owner name and mailing address

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2. Valuation Summary

This is the section most homeowners immediately focus on:

• 2025 Appraised Value: The total value HCAD has assigned to your property‍‍
• ‍2025 Market Value: The value your property should sell for on the open market

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3. Protest Information

Perhaps the most important section includes:

• The deadline to file a protest (typically May 15)
• Instructions for filing a protest
• The protest form (often attached to the notice)

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Red Flags in Your Valuation Notice

Be particularly alert for these warning signs that your property may be significantly overvalued:

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1. Square Footage Discrepancies

If HCAD's records show more square footage than your home actually has, this directly inflates your valuation. Check this number carefully against your survey or builder plans.

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2. Incorrect Property Characteristics

Errors in bedroom/bathroom count, garage size, pool existence, or other amenities can significantly impact your valuation. Verify all details are accurate.

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3. Improvement Value Jumps Without Renovations

If your improvement value increased substantially without any renovations or additions, this suggests HCAD may be using incorrect information.

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4. Significantly Higher Increase Than Neighbors

If comparable homes in your immediate area received lower percentage increases, this inequity provides grounds for protest.

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5. Land Value Changes That Don't Match Market Trends

Land values should generally change uniformly throughout a neighborhood. Significant variance suggests possible errors.

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What to Do When Your Notice Arrives

Immediate Actions:

1. Record the protest deadline prominently on your calendar
2. Check all property details for accuracy (square footage, amenities, etc.)
3. Compare your valuation to similar properties in your neighborhood
4. Begin gathering evidence if you plan to protest
5. File your protest early rather than waiting until the deadline

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Document Everything:

• Take photos of your property's current condition
• Note any issues that might affect value (foundation problems, NON-FUNCTIONING systems, etc.)
• Start researching recent sales of comparable properties
• Request your property's detailed information card from HCAD

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.

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