Revaluation |
|
The
term "Revaluation" is a process of determining how accurate and
uniform the values used to establish property taxes are. It is actually a
"Mass Appraisal" of all properties.
A very
simple explanation of the process is that it is done through a detailed
statistical analysis of "arms length" sales that have occurred
within the year prior to the assessment date, which is January 1st of each
year. These sales prices are compared to the current assessed values in
order to determine the "assessment level". The premise being
that sales are the most accurate measure of "full and fair market
value".
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
Why is a revaluation necessary?
Will all property values change?
Who will do the revaluation?
When will the revaluation start?
Is it necessary that you view the inside of my property?
What if I refuse to let assessment personnel in my property?
What is market value?
What if there hasn't been a recent arm's - length sale of my property?
What if there are no reasonably comparable sales?
I have recently built my home. Will the actual construction costs be considered?
What will happen to my assessment if I improve my property?
Will my assessment go up if I repair my property?
How can my assessment change when I haven't done anything to my property?
Do all assessments change at the same rate?
Will the person who inspects my property be able to tell me my new assessment?
Will I be notified if there is a change in my assessment?
What if I don't agree with my assessment?
What if, after the bill goes out, I still disagree with the assessment?
What evidence do I need to present to the Board of Assessors?
How will my taxes change as a result of the new assessment?
|
|
Why is a revaluation necessary?
State law requires that all property in the town be assessed within ten
percent of market value every three years and the Department of Revenue is
required to certify that a community has done this. A revaluation is the
best way to ensure uniformity and equity in accomplishing this mandate. It
is also necessary for Assessors to maintain current values that are
reflective of the real estate market.
If there is a substantial rise or decline in market values the
assessors will perform “interim year” adjustments so that assessed
values reflect market values. (Go back to top.)
|
|
Will all property values change?
Most likely, yes. However, not all property values will change at the same
rate. Market value may have increased more for some neighborhoods and
property types than for others. Some neighborhoods and property types may
have decreased in value and others may have remained the same. One purpose
of a revaluation is to make sure that the assessed values reflect the
changes that have occurred in property values. (Go back to top.)
|
|
Who will do the revaluation?
Members of the assessor's staff and Vision Appraisal will do the
revaluation. They have many years of experience in property assessment and
are familiar with the marketplace in the town. (Go back to top.)
|
|
When will the revaluation start?
Actually, we will be updating values annually whenever the market is
outpacing our assessments. It is an ongoing process. The next required
triennial revaluation is scheduled for fiscal year 2014. (Go back to top.)
|
|
Is it necessary that you view the
inside of my property?
To make a proper assessment on a building, it is necessary that an
assessor have accurate information about the inside as well as the outside
of the property. We continuously perform data quality control studies of
our existing information by conducting inspections of all properties on a
regular basis over a nine-year period. If we are unable to enter your
property, we will still review your assessment based on the existing
records and sales of properties similar to yours. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What if I refuse to let assessment
personnel in my property?
All assessing staff will have an identification card with their picture on
it. Our phone number is 508-230-0520 if you need verification. To ensure
accurate assessment, it is to your advantage to allow the assessor inside
your property when an inspection is required. You are not required by law
to allow an inspection, but you should be aware that by denying an
inspection, you might lose some statutory rights if you feel the need to
appeal your assessment. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What is market value?
State law requires that your property be assessed at market value. Market
value is defined, as the amount a typical, well-informed purchaser would
be willing to pay for a property. For a sale to be a market value (arm's-
length) sale, the seller and buyer must be unrelated, the buyer and seller
must be willing (but under no pressure) to buy or sell, the property must
be on the market for a reasonable length of time, the payment must be in
cash or its equivalent, and the financing must be typical for that type of
property. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What if there hasn't been a recent
arm's - length sale of my property?
The next best evidence is the arm's-length sales of reasonably comparable
properties. These are properties similar to yours in location, age, style,
condition, and other features that affect market value, such as the number
of bedrooms and bathrooms and size of garage. Analysis of such sales is
the basis of our valuation process. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What if there are no reasonably
comparable sales?
We will then consider all other factors that may affect the market value
of your property. The cost to replace your building (s), less any
depreciation, plus the value of the land could be used to estimate market
value. For income properties, the income and expenses will be considered. (Go back to top.)
|
|
I have recently built my home. Will
the actual construction costs be considered?
Your construction cost is a historical figure that may or may not reflect
the current market value of your property. It is only one element that
will be considered. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What will happen to my assessment if
I improve my property?
Generally speaking, improvements that increase the market value of a
property will increase the assessment. The following examples are typical
items that may increase the assessed value of your property:
* Added rooms or garage
* Substantial modernization of kitchen or baths
* Central air - conditioning
* Fireplaces
* Extensive remodeling (Go back to top.)
|
|
Will my assessment go up if I repair
my property?
Normal maintenance will help retain the market value of your property, but
generally will not affect your assessment. Significant repairs of serious
structural deficiencies may have an affect on the value. (Go back to top.)
|
|
How can my assessment change when I
haven't done anything to my property?
General economic conditions such as interest rates, inflation rates, and
changes in the tax laws will influence the value of real estate. As
property values change in the marketplace, those changes must be reflected
on the assessment roll. (Go back to top.)
|
|
Do
all assessments change at the same rate?
There are differences between individual properties and between
neighborhoods. In one area, the sales may indicate a substantial increase
in value in a given year. In another neighborhood, there may be no change,
or even a decrease in property values.
Different types of properties within the same
neighborhood may also show different value changes. For example, one-story
houses may be more in demand than two story houses or vice versa. Older
homes in the same area may be rising in value more slowly than newer
homes.
Among the numerous factors to be considered that will cause values to
differ are location, condition, size, quality of construction, and the
number of baths, basement finish, garages, and many others. (Go back to top.) |
|
Will the person who inspects my
property be able to tell me my new assessment?
No. If an inspection is necessary on your property, we have to analyze all
of the information we gathered before placing a value on it. We will then
further review this information to ensure that your assessment corresponds
fairly to the assessments of other properties. (Go back to top.)
|
|
Will I be notified if there is a
change in my assessment?
During the statutory mandated revaluations the Assessors are required to
make new values available to the public. After the Department of Revenue
reviews the new values and gives preliminary certification, there will be
a public review period. The dates and times that these values are
available will be advertised in the newspaper and on cable. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What if I don't agree with my
assessment?
Talk with an assessor. During the informal public review period you can
learn how your assessment was made, what factors were considered, and what
type of records we have on your property. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What if, after the bill goes out, I
still disagree with the assessment?
You have the right to file an abatement application with the Assessing
Department by the due date of the third quarter tax bill. The Board of
Assessors has three months on which to act on your application. They will
notify you on an approved Department of Revenue form of their decision
within that time. (Go back to top.)
|
|
What evidence do I need to present to the Board of Assessors?
State law puts the burden of proof on the property owner to show that the
assessment is incorrect. Stating that property taxes are too high is not
relevant. You should establish in your mind what you think your property
is worth.
The best evidence that could be considered would be a
recent sale price of your property. The next best evidence would be recent
sales prices of properties that are similar to yours. The closer in
similarity and proximity, the better the evidence. Another type of
evidence that could be considered would be a recent appraisal of your
property. (Go back to top.)
|
|
How will my taxes change as a result of the new assessment?
Although the value of your property affects your share of taxes, the
actual amount you pay is determined by the budgetary needs of the town.
The services that will be provided in the coming year and how much money
will be needed to provide these services decide this amount (within the
constraints of Prop 2 ½). A
tax rate is then adopted that will generate the needed dollars. Your
property taxes are then determined by multiplying the tax rate by your
assessment. The tax rate is expressed as dollars per thousand dollars of
value. The total amount of
taxes levied on all classes of property in Town is governed by Prop 2 ½
and that amount is the same whether there is a revaluation or not.
What happens as a result of revaluation is a redistribution of the
tax burden based on market value changes.
(Go back to top.)
|
|
RETURN
|
