Items to consider when contesting property values:
Recommendations for backup documentation to be provided to the Board of Assessors with real estate abatement applications or disclosure hearings.
Taxpayer considers value to be high compared to market sales.
- Recent appraisal – preferably one that uses sales from calendar year 2002
- If no appraisal is available - the taxpayer should research 2002 sales and provide comparable sales. Comparable sales can be obtained by the taxpayer by using:
- The Banker and Tradesman book in the Assessors Office
- The counter terminal in the Assessors Office
- Internet Access is available at www.visionappraisal.com – click on the tab for online data bases then follow the prompts to Easthampton – you will need to select a password
See below for items to look for when comparing parcels
- Taxpayer considers value to be high compared to other similar parcels in Easthampton.
- Use the above mentioned referenced tools to obtain property record cards of other similar parcels in Easthampton
- When looking at overall assessed value it is necessary to compare:
- Lot size
- Living area
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Style of the home
- Depreciation for condition
- Outbuildings
- Site index (neighborhood)
- Commercial / Industrial properties should compare:
- Lot size
- Parcels with similar use
- Square footage of building
- Square footage of rental space
- Number of apartments
- Amenities
- Taxpayer considers value to be high due to an error on the property card.
- Clearly describe the information that is incorrect on the property card and provide a daytime phone number. The office will contact you to arrange an appointment to visit the property and verify the data.
