Property Appraiser / Assessor
Quick Facts
What They Do
A Property Appraiser or Assessor determines the value of real property, including buildings and real estate or other personal or commercial property, as the basis for determining how much tax is owed. Assesses or calculates how much tax is owed, including property tax for homes, businesses or land, income tax, or tax owed for goods traded or imported internationally.
Core Tasks:
- Compute final estimation of property values, taking into account such factors as depreciation, replacement costs, value comparisons of similar properties, and income potential.
- Prepare written reports that estimate property values, outline methods by which the estimations were made, and meet appraisal standards.
- Photograph interiors and exteriors of properties to assist in estimating property value, substantiate findings, and complete appraisal reports.
- Search public records for transactions such as sales, leases, and assessments.
- Obtain county land values and sales information about nearby properties to aid in establishment of property values.
- Maintain familiarity with aspects of local real estate markets.
- Inspect properties, considering factors such as market value, location, and building or replacement costs to determine appraisal value.
- Collect and analyze relevant data to identify real estate market trends.
- Review information about transfers of property to ensure its accuracy, checking basic information on buyers, sellers, and sales prices and making corrections as necessary.
- Inspect new construction and major improvements to existing structures to determine values.
- Analyze trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents, to assess property values or determine the accuracy of assessments.
- Check building codes and zoning bylaws to determine any effects on the properties being appraised.
- Verify legal descriptions of properties by comparing them to county records.
- Interview persons familiar with properties and immediate surroundings, such as contractors, home owners, and realtors, to obtain pertinent information.
- Evaluate land and neighborhoods where properties are situated, considering locations and trends or impending changes that could influence future values.
- Examine the type and location of nearby services, such as shopping centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhood features, to evaluate their impact on property values.
- Examine income records and operating costs of income properties.
- Estimate building replacement costs, using building valuation manuals and professional cost estimators.
- Draw land diagrams to be used in appraisal reports to support findings.
- Conduct regular reviews of property within jurisdictions to determine changes in property due to construction or demolition.
- Testify in court as to the value of a piece of real estate property.
What to expect as a Property Appraiser / Assessor
35% of people achieve this level of education.
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1148 openings for Property Appraiser / Assessors
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