“Advice for appealing property tax assessment – new homeowner”

“Dear PoPville,

I just closed on a new condo and would like to appeal my DC property tax assessment. It’s a three-unit building (all units are brand new construction with same materials), and they’ve assessed our unit as the most expensive by far ($120K more and $76K more than the other two units) even though ours was the mid-priced one in terms of the list price and the eventual purchase price when comparing the three units to each other.

I am definitely going to appeal the assessment and have read many threads on this site and others about how to do it. My remaining question that I hope to have answered here is:

I see that I have to check a box on the form indicating the basis for my appeal. If I appeal on the basis of equalization, comparing my home to the other units in the building as well as comparing it to other properties in the area, and then lose at the first-level of the appeal, can I appeal at the second level on the basis of estimated market value, using the appraisal from my settlement? I’d rather not use the appraisal yet because I feel that we could get a fairer assessment if we succeed on an equalization argument. But IF is the key word. If we don’t succeed on the equalization argument, I want to be able to bring in the appraisal at the second level of review.

Also, I would appreciate any other advice on the appeal, as this is my first time going through the process. Thanks in advance!”