What is the Purpose in Understanding The Assessor

Simply, because they are handling your property taxes!

Mishaps are often made given there is so much work and so many residences to appraise! Always remember the Office of the Assessor is a mass assessment entity and they do not always have the time or the man power to make sure every single value is perfect. If there is a mistake|an error in your building information or a value that is far above than what it should be, it is not intentional nor is it personal.

The personnel of the Assessor’s Office can make your life very easy and they can also make it more complicated. If you are frustrating to work with, no one is going to want to assist you, even if the error is the Assessors fault. The personnel do not enjoy being treated as people who are out to get you, because they really arent. The staff are not affected by your taxes, records and values, so be calm. Be an individual they want to help so that you will get the maximum advantage of what may be available to you. Remember, even if the person you are speaking with can’t help you, chances are they know the individual who can and have influence with that person also.

As an employee of the Office of the Assessor there were front doors slammed in my face, I was yelled at by the public. Sometimes I was treated like I had no comprehension of property tax law or even appraisal and I was not inclined to help people who spoke to me like that. Part of myposition to help them, to be a civil servant. Yet, after working for years in an environment where the public resented me and the job I did it was very taxing. Remember, the Assessor himself is a person and the employees are human beings and they have been yelled at enough already. They are yelled at everyday and most of the employees work there for years.

Picture what its like to work in an environment for years where your customers hate you! Its not good! Dont be one more homeowner they add to that list! The employees you deal with who work for the Assessor’s Office, handle and influence your assessment, always keep that in mind! They have worked with thousands of homeowners and can read you like a book, so be nice and patient and realize they are not out to get you. The staff of the Assessor’s Office, are doing their jobs. Being difficult will not get you what you are looking for. You may be surprised at what being patient will get you.

About the Author: Valerie Faltas, Property Tax Expert worked in assessments for years, is a Certified Property Tax Appraiser, Licensed Residential Appraiser and a member of the International Association of Assessment Officers. As a real estate investor and advisor she is well versed in all aspects of real estate. To contact Valerie Faltas go to her website: www.propertytaxlittleblackbook.com

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