Some residents across Fort Bend County saw an increase in their home value for 2019 when property value appraisals determined by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District’s evaluators hit mailboxes April 16. The overall change in value grew 7.9% over 2018, while the number of properties evaluated grew 2%, according to FBCAD Chief Appraiser Glen Whitehead. This includes $3.5 billion in new improvements and additions to both residential and commercial properties in Fort Bend County. In the mix are also some properties affected by Hurricane Harvey that have not yet been repaired. “Many have completed their work and need to let us know and we can go out and get that corrected,” Whitehead said. Among the number of properties appraised is a growth of 3.6% over last year in new value, such as new homes, businesses and industrial properties built, Whitehead said. The appraisal district’s preliminary data for 2019 shows a 1.9% increase in the number of properties appraised in Missouri City. The value of homesite improvements was $4.2 billion. In Sugar Land, the number of properties appraised grew 3.6%, with homesite improvements valued at $10.5 billion. While an appraisal value is determined by the appraisal district, the tax rate property owners pay is set by entities that include county; city; school; and special districts, such as drainage, municipal utility districts and levee improvement districts. To determine the value of a property, the most common method employed by appraisal teams across Texas is the comparison approach, in which appraisers determine the market value of a property based off the sales of homes in the same class. Property owners have until May 16 to protest their appraised values if they feel their property was not adequately appraised. Residents should gather evidence showing why their value should be lowered, such as recent sales of comparable homes, photos of damage and repair estimates. According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, between 70-90 percent of appeal disputes are settled when the property owner meets one-on-one with an appraiser during an informal process. Homeowners can protest online or in person at 2801 B F Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, and more information can be found at www.fbcad.org. New this year, the district said it will no longer accept documents by fax.