By John Pappas

Most people see great disparities in property taxes and helping property owners lower their property taxes can be an excellent if not the best home based business idea. Homeowners should not be paying higher assessments than the actual market value of their property.

High property assessments usually go unchallenged because most people lack the time, energy or know how to tackle the job. Many a homeowner would love to have someone that this home business offers to look over their property tax assessments. Glaring errors exist especially with the decrease in comparable home prices. A property tax consultant helps people contest these inaccuracies.

Property tax consulting is worked on a contingency basis. In other words, you do not charge a fee for your services unless you achieve a property tax reduction for that person other than a small processing fee.

When a case is won for a client the client rewards the property tax consultant by sharing the winnings. After all, it does not cost the customer anything unless the property taxes are reduced. It's a win, win situation for you and the homeowner.

Whatever amount you save the homeowner that is your fee. You spread your fee over 2 or 3 years period of time. If you clients property taxes were $8,000 and you saved them 25% on their assessment, you fee would be $2,000.

With housing prices falling, finding comparable sold homes to make your point to the tax authorities is easy. This is an excellent time to start this business opportunity. The process is straight forward and upon making a favorable explanation you should be able to get property taxes reduced for your client.

A onetime non-refundable fee is charge the client. This one-time equalization fee helps defray your costs for gasoline and overhead. This is especially helpful when you are starting out. If the case doesn't pan out you have the one-time fee. You'll learn how to determine if you have a case or not fast and inexpensively.

It's hard to find someone who doesn't care about their property taxes. A lot are upset over it. And finding clients, especially in today's financial environment, is relatively effortless. When real estate values become lower, governments raise the tax rate to meet their budget. - 18098

About the Author: