Check out comps sold in your neighborhood. If houses are selling above your appraised value, you may have a difficult time appealing the tax hike.

My problem with the current system is that we are being taxed on a value that is meaningless until you sell the property. If I bought at $100k and the current value based on market demand is $500k, it makes no difference if my income hasn't risen enough to pay the new tax assessment. Many people may be taxed out of their home unless the system is altered. I believe California had to address this same issue at some point. I don't know when this real estate market will turn but having my home value increase so much over the past few years has become a real two edged issue.