Once you have the property record card, check it line by line. Factual errors are the cleanest correction: if the assessor has the wrong square footage, an extra bathroom, a finished basement that isn’t finished, or the wrong condition/grade, fixing it can lower your value without a full valuation fight.
Common errors that inflate value
- Square footage too high (the #1 error) — measure your actual finished, above-grade living area.
- Bed/bath count or extra rooms you don’t have.
- Lot size larger than your deed/survey shows.
- Finished basement / garage / pool / outbuilding recorded but absent or unfinished.
- Condition or “grade/quality” rated too high for the home’s real state.
The letter
[Your full name]
[Your mailing address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[County Assessor / Appraisal District]
[Address]
Re: Correction of factual errors on property record
Owner: [Name] Parcel / account number: [number]
Property address: [address]
To the Assessor's Office:
My property record contains factual errors that overstate my property's value.
Please correct the following and re-review the assessed value accordingly:
1. Recorded: [e.g. "2,400 sq ft"] - Correct: [e.g. "1,900 sq ft"]
Evidence: [appraisal / builder plans / measured drawing attached]
2. Recorded: [e.g. "finished basement"] - Correct: [e.g. "unfinished"]
Evidence: [photos attached]
3. Recorded: [item] - Correct: [item] Evidence: [attached]
Please update the property record, recalculate the assessed value, and send me a
corrected notice. I'm happy to provide access for a re-inspection if needed.
Enclosed: [measurements, photos, survey, plans, appraisal].
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your printed name]
How to send it
Many assessors will fix clear factual errors through an informal correction at any time — but if you’re near your annual appeal deadline, file this as (or alongside) your formal appeal so you don’t lose your rights. Send with evidence attached and keep a dated copy. Offer access for a re-measure; assessors often correct square footage on inspection.
Notes. Factual-error fixes and value arguments are different lanes — you can do both (correct the data and argue the value is still too high with comps). Deadlines, forms, and correction procedures vary by jurisdiction. General information, not legal or appraisal advice.