SEATTLE -- If you want to challenge the county's valuation of your property, get in line and plan on a long wait.

Since our first Problem Solver report on how to appeal your assessed value, appeals in King County have jumped more than 300 percent.

As of Dec. 7, 10,574 property owners are waiting for an appeals hearing, with hearings already schedule into January of next year.

The appeal process is very involved, but if you have the time, and good documentation, there's a 50% chance you'll get a reduction.

What can make your valuation higher than it should be?

There are many factors, including changing neighborhoods and houses not selling for as much, increased local street traffic, a once beautiful view lost to trees and buildings, neighborhood school closures, anything that makes your property worth less than what the assessors use to compare, including a downturn in the economy.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, the assessors don't physically come to your house every year to look it over. In most counties, assessors only visit your property every 4 years to 7 years.

The rest of the time, they calculate past sales of nearby homes they think are comparable.

As soon as you get your next property value notice, go to your county assessor's website and verify your property description. If that's off, the assessed value could be off too.

Next, find out what other information was used to make your valuation. If you think it's wrong, file a petition to appeal, either online or at your county board of appeals. Eventually, you'll have a hearing date.

At the informal hearing, you present your case and the assessor’s representative presents theirs.

A decision takes at least a couple of weeks or more.

But make sure you have strong documentation to back up your argument. You may need pictures, blueprints, statements from real estate agents and other expert documentation. It's so involved, some people even hire professionals to handle the appeal for them. But, historically, more than half of those who appeal get some sort of reduction.

Just remember, depending on your county, you must file your appeal within 30 to 60 days from the date you receive your valuation notice.

And-you still must pay any taxes due, while you wait for a hearing.

Related report and more information:

http://www.komonews.com/news/16058147.html