Use the PETIO method which can be searched fòr for elsewhere on this site.Determine if there is sufficient equity to merit the effort.In the western state, most counties have assessors (not appraisers) who determine taxable value and the tax collector is responsible for collection. 

The tax stuff/rising property value has no merit on the decision of that company to move to Texas.

There is merit to that as you can enjoy your own home while it keeps moving up in value and making up for some of the expense by renting rooms.  

We're pretty confident she'll receive some merit money but won't know for at least another 10 months and so I'm not throwing that into equations yet.

I usually deal in bigger deals than houses and I can tell you that where the deal is large enough to merit the involvement of serious lawyers, this is one of the most heavily negotiated provisions.

As others have suggested before, I would highly recommend that you consult with a lawyer or a legal aid assistance to:- have a second opinion if your action has any merit,- receive a full disclosure on all the costs and time involved,- understand all the steps involved.

Your concerns are merited.

One has merit and will be addressed the other 3 don't (like I want the deck stained) and probably won't be done.I'm sure that this list is just a knee jerk reaction to being called on the carpet.Obviously I'm not going to renew them when it comes up next year. 

I also have a question on the merit of changing garages to bedrooms.

Just because several bozos formed and misused their LLC's and corporations doesn't mean these entities are without merit.