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StumbleuponAppraisals spark anger in depressed market
Property owners can appeal before final values are set in October.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
BEAVERCREEK — Joe Radin can't understand how his home's appraised tax value could climb 18 percent from $99,540 to $117,270 when the selling prices of surrounding homes have fallen.
"I haven't modified my house, haven't remodeled it, haven't done anything to it, inside or out, for at least 10 years," he said Friday, Sept. 5. "I'm retired and can't afford it."
Radin was among several dozen angry Greene and Montgomery county homeowners who called the Dayton Daily News in response to a query about their tentative reappraisals. Many questioned how the appraised value of their home could increase for tax purposes while market values in many localities are dipping for the first time in decades.
"I think the appraisals are disgraceful, especially around Lower Dayton View, where all the buildings are boarded up and the weeds are waist high," said Elma Rucker of Trotwood. "I have a double down there and they put my value at almost $90,000. The houses in that area, if they can sell at all, are going for $20,000 to $25,000 at most."
Properties in Greene and Montgomery counties underwent recent tax reappraisals by county auditors, who update figures every three years. Notices of tentative appraisals have been mailed to all 70,000 residents in Greene County and, as of Friday, all residents of Dayton. The remaining 230,000 Montgomery County homeowners will be mailed notices by Sept. 22, Montgomery County officials said.
If you don't agree with your appraisal, now is the time to speak up — before the final values are sent to Columbus in October, officials say. "This is your opportunity to get the information correct," said Elaine Johnson of the Montgomery County Auditor's office.
To schedule a hearing, call Montgomery County at (937) 278-3800 and Greene County at (937) 562-5640 or (937) 562-5621.
