How are assessments determined?
To arrive at “full and fair cash value” for your property the Assessors must analyze what “willing sellers” and “willing buyers” are doing in the marketplace. The assessment date is January first (other than new construction or demolition which is July first) and therefore the Assessors will analyze sales from the prior calendar year to determine the level of assessment in comparison with the market. (Example: January 1, 2014 is the assessment date for Fiscal 2015, therefore the Assessors will analyze calendar year 2013 qualified market sales. These sales do not include family sales, sales to abutters, estate sales, divorce sales etc.). The Assessors will use three appraisal approaches to value: cost, income and market. The data once analyzed, is then correlated to final values for all properties. The analysis must also meet all standards as set forth by the Department of Revenue for certification.

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1. What is a revaluation?
2. Why is a revaluation necessary?
3. When will revaluation start?
4. Who will do the revaluation?
5. Will all property values change?
6. What is market value (a.k.a. full and fair cash value)?
7. Will I be notified if there is a change in my assessment?
8. How will my taxes change as a result of my new assessment?
9. Why is my single-family home valued differently than my neighbor’s two family?
10. How are assessments determined?
11. How can my assessment change when I haven't done anything to my property?
12. What if I refuse to let assessment personnel in my property?
13. What if there hasn’t been a recent qualified sale of my property?
14. What if there are no reasonable comparable sales?
15. What will happen to my assessment if I improve my property?
16. I have recently built my home. Will the actual construction costs be considered?
17. Will my assessment go up if I repair my property?
18. Do all assessments change at the same rate?
19. Will the person who inspects my property be able to tell me my new assessment?
20. What if I don't agree with my assessment?
21. What if, after the actual bill goes out, I still disagree with the assessment?
22. What evidence do I need to present to the Board of Assessors?
23. Should I regard the property lines on the Town's maps as a legal record?