Why is the acreage of my property valued at a higher price per acre than my neighbor?
Consider the following scenario:

          Property A is valued at $70,000 with 5 acres
          Property B is valued at $295,000 with 50 acres.

Dividing the assessed value by the acreage yields an average price per acre:

          Property A: $70,000 ÷ 5 acres = $14,000 per acre
          Property B: $295,000 ÷ 50 acres = $5,900 per acre

On the surface, it would seem that these two properties are not assessed equitably. However, take what you learned regarding home sites from the previous question. Looking further into the breakdown of a property you would notice that the home site is assessed at $50,000 and each additional acre is $5,000. Therefore:

          Property A: ($50,000 home site) + (4 acres x $5,000) = $70,000
          Property B: ($50,000 home site) + (49 acres x $5,000) = $295,000

This example using fictitious numbers for demonstration purposes only is an example of how you cannot simply divide the total land assessment by the total acreage in determining equity. Please note that home site and residual acreage values differ depending upon location and special conditions that influence a property.

Show All Answers

1. Why tax Real Property?
2. What is the difference between real and presonal property?
3. What is the difference between the sale price, an appraisal, and an assessment?
4. If I no longer own this property, what should I do with the notice?
5. Can I obtain a copy of my real estate assessment card?
6. If my taxes are paid through my mortgage escrow, do I have to do anything with this new assessment?
7. How will this affect my taxes?
8. Why does the Commissioner of Revenue’s office re-inspect my property even if nothing has changed?
9. Why do the assessors not schedule for an appointment to come inspect a property?
10. Why was my property not inspected this year?
11. Do assessors go inside the home during an inspection?
12. Do I have to allow the assessor on to my property?
13. What is a statutory assessment?
14. The reassessment process has always been overwhelming. Why should I expect this year to be any different?
15. How does the Commissioner of Revenue’s office come up with a value for my assessment?
16. If I just recently sold my home, isn’t that the fair market value?
17. Do all improvements the same age get the same amount of depreciation?
18. Do all New Kent County assessors use the same methods in assessing my home?
19. Why are some properties assessed higher or lower than what they sell for?
20. Why is my assessment changing?
21. How can a property be assessed for more than its purchase price?
22. How can my land value increase at a faster rate than my house?
23. Do all assessments change at the same rate?
24. What is a “Site” and how is it valued?
25. Why is the acreage of my property valued at a higher price per acre than my neighbor?
26. Why is the foundation of my home included in the assessment?
27. How can you tax an outbuilding that has no electricity and is not livable?
28. My house is under construction and only partially complete. Why are you not waiting until it is complete to assess me?
29. What if my new assessment is too high?
30. If my assessed value of my property goes down, will my taxes go down?
31. Why did I receive a prorated tax bill?
32. Is there tax relief for the elderly or disabled?
33. I live in a manufactured “mobile” home, what is the “Improvement Value” that I am taxed for?
34. What if I see a factual error on my property record card?