What does “improvement” mean on my notice and how will changes to my property affect assessed value?
“Improvement” is the Real Estate term for all of the improvements to vacant land such as dwellings, garages, screened porches, decks, out buildings, and sheds on your property. Screening-in and roofing an existing deck, adding a bathroom, and building a garage are some of the many examples of what would count as changes to an “improvement” that could affect assessed value for Real Estate purposes.

Landscaping, minor renovations, paint, and routine home maintenance do not generally affect the assessed value. While these efforts often do improve the appearance or function of a home, they do not add value as far as assessments are concerned. Only major upgrades or additions to the “improvements” will affect the assessed value of your home outside of the market fluctuations at each reassessment.

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1. Why do Real Estate Assessments exist?
2. What is the difference between mass appraisal and a single property appraisal?
3. When are the assessments done?
4. What is the effective date of the assessment?
5. How do you come up with the change to assessed value?
6. How is assessed value determined?
7. Are foreclosures and short sales used when determining assessed value?
8. Why is my purchase price different from my assessed value?
9. What should a property owner do if they think their assessment is incorrect or if they disagree with their assessment?
10. When will property owners be notified of any new assessment?
11. Does the County have a program to help senior citizens and disabled persons on their property taxes?
12. How is individual property information obtained?
13. What does “improvement” mean on my notice and how will changes to my property affect assessed value?
14. When is it necessary for an appraiser to physically inspect a property?
15. How do changes in assessment value affect the sale price of my property?
16. What are some situations outside of a reassessment when property values might change?
17. Does the assessor determine the tax rate?
18. What property information is publically available via the Real Estate Assessments Division?
19. Where do I get a copy of my deed?
20. Where do I get a copy of my plat?
21. Can I get a copy of my “survey” (the one with the house)?
22. How do I find out the history of a lot such as ownership, date, purchase price, etc. of a particular piece of property?
23. My information on the property information website is incorrect, how do I get it fixed?
24. When is ownership information updated on the website after a sale?
25. What is a Supplemental Bill?