Reappraisal

Market value is the most probable price a property would bring in an open and competitive market. The Assessor does not create market value; rather, analyzes the patterns and trends of the local real estate market and use that information to estimate market values for all properties. Assessors spend a substantial amount of time qualifying all sales used to develop fair market values for property. Automated valuation models, or ‘AVMs’ such as those used by sites like Zillow or Trulia, do not research sales to determine if they meet requirements for qualification. These sites also do not have knowledge of local market variations

Over time, the market changes. This is due to supply and demand as it relates to various aspects of buyer and seller behaviors, location and building type. As a result, a location and/or building type may have become less or more valuable than it was in a previous reappraisal. A reappraisal identifies these market changes and appropriately assesses these variations to ensure fair and equitable valuations. In addition, the State of Vermont Property Valuation & Review Tax Department completes an annual equalization study of each community in the state. This study provides a Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) that indicates the ratio of sale prices over the past three years to the municipality’s Grand List assessed values. The current CLA for the Town of Montgomery is 55.46 %. A reappraisal is necessary to bring that ratio back to 100% market value.

Property taxes are based on property values. Without periodic reappraisals, some property owners would pay relatively more while others would pay relatively less. Reappraisal resets property values to their current market value so that the property tax burden is equalized for all taxpayers. Reappraisal assures every property owner they are only paying their fair share. However, appraisal and taxation are separate issues. The Assessor determines the market value, and the municipality and State tax rates have no impact on the valuation process. Each taxing authority establishes its tax rate. Municipal Tax Rates are set based on the need to raise money for the municipality’s highway and general fund expenses. The municipal rate is levied against the municipal grand list. The Education Tax Rates are based on a homestead education tax rate and a non-homestead education tax rate, which are set annually by the State commissioner of taxes. The Education Tax Rates are levied against all homestead and non-homestead parcels on the education grand list. 

Even if your assessment doubled that does not mean your taxes would double. Remember that the total grand list has also changed. The tax rate will adjust because of the reappraisal.

That is because the market has changed since the last reappraisal. The last reappraisal was completed in 2014. At that time the assessment base was established based on the market value and sale of that time and has not been changed since. The purpose of the reappraisal is to bring the values from years ago to current market value and to establish equity across parcels.

Postcards will be mailed in road groups to property owners to inform them that the data collectors will be in their neighborhood. Unfortunately, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact date and/or day that they will be at a certain property unless a prior appointment is scheduled. We recognize that property owners often use cameras to protect themselves and their property. The data collectors will be wearing identification badges and driving clearly marked “NEMRC- ASSESSOR” vehicles to ensure their identification is visible in person and/or on a video camera. They will knock to let you know they are there, if no one answers they leave a placard on the door explaining that they were there for the exterior inspection work. The door hanger has instructions on how to submit your interior data online using the code assigned to your property (on your door hanger) or to call to make an appointment for an interior inspection if you have a new build or renovations have occurred since 2014.