How are properties appraised?

To find the value of any piece of property, the Assessor must first gather all pertinent information in the community, such as real estate sales, construction costs, rental incomes, operating expenses. Interest rates and any other factors available. Utilizing the information collected, the Assessor can then go about finding a property's value in three different ways:

  • Sales Comparison Approach: The first way is to find properties like yours, which have sold recently. Their selling prices must be analyzed very carefully to get at the true picture. One property may have sold for more because the buyer was in a hurry to occupy the property and would pay any price. Another may have sold for less because the owner needed cash right away and took the first offer.
  • Cost Approach: The second way the Assessor values property is based on how much money it would take, at current material and labor costs, to replace your property with one just like it. If your property is not new, the Assessor must also determine how much it has depreciated due to normal wear and tear or other negative factors. In addition, the Assessor must estimate how much a lot like yours would be worth if vacant.
  • Income Approach: The third approach measures a property's value by its ability to generate net income. In most cases, this approach is not used for houses unless it is used a rental property.

Show All Answers

1. What are the Assessment Department responsibilities?
2. What is market value?
3. How are properties appraised?
4. Why does the assessed value change from year to year?
5. What is capped value?
6. Why do assessments go up when a property hasn't changed?
7. How do you determine your tax bill?
8. What are your rights and responsibilities?
9. What is capped value?
10. Understanding the 3 Values used in Assessing?