1205 West University Dr., Rochester Hills MI 48307 Cell: 248-672-8837

Lisa Virkus’ Tips on How to Appeal Your Tax Assessment

Things You Should Consider When You Appeal Your Property Taxes

Speak with your local assessor about your concerns

• Determine if you are concerned the assessment of your property’s value is actually too high or if you simply cannot afford your taxes.

• The procedure to cure each of these situations is different

If your value is too high, verify facts prior to pursuing a correction

• Compare your records with the assessor’s and understand the differences.

• Speak with the assessor about facts you believe are erroneous or missing.

• If you decide you must appear

Continued on 2

Lisa Virkus Cell: 248-672-8837

2

Things You Should Consider When You Appeal Your Property Taxes (Continued)

before the local board of review, be prepared to document facts as to the value you believe should be applied to your home. The most important thing to bring is actual comparable sales of homes in your neighborhood.

• Consider hiring a professional real estate appraiser • A person charging a fee to appraise your property

will be seen as independent and carry more credibility.

• Choose a person licensed by the state. • Verify the appraiser will allow you to use their work

in a Board Review Hearing. • Verify the appraiser will be willing to appear at the

hearing.

What to do if your taxes are in fact too high for you to afford!

• You cannot appeal your taxes because you cannot afford them. An inability to afford paying taxes is cured through tax breaks and exemptions.

• When you cannot afford your taxes, a good first place to research is Michigan’s “Circuit Breaker” law. The form is the 1040CR filed with your state income taxes. Consult your tax advisor as to whether this would apply to your situation.

Rules for appealing

• You may appeal in person or through an agent. • If you choose to use an agent provide that person

with a written document authorizing their right to appeal on your behalf.

• You may also appeal in writing if you do not reside in the jurisdiction in which the property being appealed is located.

Lisa Virkus Cell: 248-672-8837

3

Other Things to Consider

• Always verify meeting dates, the method by which you may register for an appearance before a Board of Review and whether or not appointments for appearances can be made.

• If your appeal involves complicated issues, it is wise to submit materials a week or more in advance of your appeal date.

• Make sure you don’t need more than one copy of any evidence or support materials for you appeal.

• Property tax valuations are based upon historic sales information. This is usually a two-year study, which runs from March to March. During

periods of property appreciation, these studies lag and your State Equalized Value will be low. During downturns in property values, the State Equalized Value may be high. If the taxable value has been held down for years, the taxable value used by the assessor may remain below current market value even though you have experienced a significant drop in current real estate values. Make sure you know your situation before deciding upon any appeal.

Lisa Virkus Cell: 248-672-8837

Qualification and Experience – Lisa Virkus

Summary

Performance driven, insightful Entrepreneur with strong experience in Real Estate Sales and Marketing and a proven ability to achieve and exceed all business development goals.

Selected Accomplishments

• Developed the sales and marketing campaign for Hyatt’s premier Private Residence Club, Hyatt Siesta Key Beach, www.hyattsiestakeybeach.com

• Managed the sales and marketing programs for multiple high end residential development for Triton Companies, www.tritoncompanies.com

• Built a successful 20 year modeling and acting career in New York City

Lisa Virkus

1205 West University Dr. Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Cell: 248-672-8837

Executive Experience

Triton Companies – Rochester MI, Director of Sales and Marketing (2005 – Present)

• Coordinated all the sales and marketing, public relations and investor relations for Triton and their largest high-end properties.

Self-Employed Actress and Model – New York City NY (1985 – Present)

• Appeared in a number of Film and national TV shows including the popular soap operas Loving and Another World.

• Performed as the “Lead” in many national commercials and print campaigns including DuPont, Kellogg’s Special K, Luvs Diapers and Vaseline Intensive Care.

I hope you found this information valuable and I look forward to the opportunity to help

you with all of your real estate needs.

Make it a great day!