At Real Property Management Seacoast New Hampshire, we advise all of our landlords to take the time to do this as they might discover that the assessment is too high, which can lead to lower property taxes once re-evaluated. There are many ways to determine the accuracy of your current property assessment.
How a Property Should be Assessed
Properties are usually assessed annually by a town or city’s assessor. In the majority of cases, the assessor evaluates the current status of your property and any improvements done and the current market conditions for similar homes in your area, and then they multiply that by the area’s level of assessment as decided by the municipality. If you have a multi-family building, the assessor will include in the valuation the income realized from the property over the past year minus maintenance costs. The cost of replacing the home is also taken into consideration in determining the assessment.
If you open your annual property tax bill and nearly collapse from shock at the figures, take some deep breaths and then carefully review your options to lower the tax bill. One thing to remember, however, is that you’ll have a deadline to challenge the assessment. Most municipalities will give you 30 to 60 days after you receive the assessment to dispute it.
How to Understand an Assessment
Observe what the assessment says about your property. You may find that you’ve suddenly become the owner of Exeter property that is nothing like the one you actually own. For example, the assessment might wrongly give your house four bedrooms when it only has three or place your address in an upscale neighborhood near your actual location. In one case, a homeowner’s one-story home with vaulted ceilings was falsely listed as a two-story house and charged double the actual square footage because the assessor viewed it from outside rather than doing a more comprehensive inspection.
The value of similar properties in your neighborhood can say a lot about your own property’s assessment. If you are friends with your neighbors, you can learn from their assessment. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to compare your property with four or five in your general location that have the same amount of square footage and the same property size.
Look into Exemptions
While you’re taking the time to ensure the valuation of the property is correct, also check whether you’re receiving any exemptions to which you’re eligible. Some states and many municipalities give breaks to owners who are senior citizens or veterans, homes located in certain areas, and a few other exemptions. Your local tax assessor might be able to help you find any tax breaks wherein you’re eligible.
If the first tax bill after you purchased your property shows that its tax assessment value went up by nearly 50 percent in one year, as what happened to an owner in Georgia, you’ll want to ask for a review to help you understand any changes. Many tax assessors are willing to informally explain your assessment. If you’re not content with the informal explanation, you can make a formal appeal. Property owners who have followed this route say they’ve been able to considerably lower their assessments.
When you work with Real Property Management Seacoast New Hampshire, we will help you get the most out of your property and steer it to success. To learn more about our services, contact us online or call us at 603-343-2202 today.