Bexar County Appraisal District: What Homeowners Need to Know

If you’re a property owner in San Antonio or anywhere else in Bexar County, understanding how the Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD) works is essential to effectively managing your property tax burden. In this post, we’ll explore what BCAD does, how they assess property values, and how you can use that knowledge to strengthen your protest.

What Is the Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD)?

BCAD is the governmental body responsible for appraising all real estate and certain types of personal property in Bexar County. The district determines the market value of properties each year, which is then used by taxing entities to calculate your tax bill.

BCAD is not responsible for setting tax rates. Instead, its job is to ensure that property valuations are fair and equitable across the county.

Key Responsibilities of BCAD:

• Determine the market value of each property as of January 1
• Mail out notices of appraised value, typically in April
• Conduct informal reviews and Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearings

How Does BCAD Determine Property Values?

The district uses a combination of:

• Sales comparison approach (recent sales of similar properties)
• Cost approach (replacement cost minus depreciation)
• Income approach (for income-producing properties like apartments or commercial buildings)

For residential properties, the sales comparison approach is most common. BCAD collects data on recent sales and uses computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) systems to generate values.

Why Understanding BCAD’s Methods Matters

When you protest your appraisal, you’re essentially challenging BCAD’s data and methodology. Knowing how they calculate values helps you craft stronger arguments. For instance:

• If your home is in poor condition, you can argue that BCAD’s model didn’t account for this
• If BCAD used sales from newer or renovated homes, you can show why they aren’t valid comps
• If BCAD miscalculated square footage or improvements, you can correct the record

Common Issues Homeowners Encounter

• BCAD using sales from different neighborhoods
• Incorrect home characteristics (e.g., size, number of bathrooms)
• Ignored structural issues or needed repairs
• Lack of access to interior inspections (they may assume condition based on exterior alone)

Building a Case with BCAD in Mind

Effective protests aren’t emotional—they’re evidence-based. Use BCAD’s own methodology to your advantage. For example:

• Pull sales from your immediate area within 6-12 months before January 1
• Focus on homes with similar square footage, age, and condition
• Highlight negative features of your home not reflected in BCAD’s records

Ballard Property Tax Protest Knows BCAD Inside and Out

At Ballard Property Tax Protest, we’ve spent years studying BCAD’s appraisal process and helping homeowners challenge unfair valuations. We understand their models, their software, and their common pitfalls.

Let us use our insider knowledge to build a powerful, data-driven protest on your behalf. Sign Up Today and Save!

Reach out today and take control of your property tax future.