Tax Doc: Does It Help Lower My Value if We Got $$ Back From the Seller?

Dear Tax Doc: Hey!  I need a quick opinion if you have a second.  Our DCAD appraisal
came in about $10,000 higher than last year ($188 to $197). ¬†It hadn’t
gone up since 2008.  We paid $195 for the house last March with a $5k
back from seller (so we really paid $190 but the sales price was
$195). ¬†Its listed in “good” condition. ¬†Should we protest? ¬†I’m not
sure I want to argue its worse than “good” condition and since we paid
less than the appraised value, I’m not sure how I would protest.

Absolutely you should protest! You don’t need to argue based on condition. Take in your closing statement showing the 195k and the 5k back from the seller.¬† Wham Bam, you are done! This should be a lay-down case as well.