Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate

What does a professional in this career do?

In this job you will...

• 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.
• Inspect new construction and major improvements to existing structures to determine values.
• Collect and analyze relevant data to identify real estate market trends.
• Prepare and maintain current data on each parcel assessed, including maps of boundaries, inventories of land and structures, property characteristics, and any applicable exemptions.
• Explain assessed values to property owners and defend appealed assessments at public hearings.
• Identify the ownership of each piece of taxable property.
• Inspect properties, considering factors such as market value, location, and building or replacement costs to determine appraisal value.
• Complete and maintain assessment rolls that show the assessed values and status of all property in a municipality.
• Review information about transfers of property to ensure its accuracy, checking basic information on buyers, sellers, and sales prices and making corrections as necessary.
• Explain real and personal property taxes to property owners.
• Conduct regular reviews of property within jurisdictions to determine changes in property due to construction or demolition.
• Establish uniform and equitable systems for assessing all classes and kinds of property.
• Examine income records and operating costs of income properties.
• Evaluate land and neighborhoods where properties are situated, considering locations and trends or impending changes that could influence future values.
• Maintain familiarity with aspects of local real estate markets.
• Search public records for transactions such as sales, leases, and 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.
• Photograph interiors and exteriors of properties to assist in estimating property value, substantiate findings, and complete appraisal reports.
• Obtain county land values and sales information about nearby properties to aid in establishment of property 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.
• Estimate building replacement costs, using building valuation manuals and professional cost estimators.
• Draw land diagrams to be used in appraisal reports to support findings.
• Testify in court as to the value of a piece of real estate property.
• Calculate tax bills for properties by multiplying assessed values by jurisdiction tax rates.
• Approve applications for property tax exemptions or deductions.
• Analyze trends in sales prices, construction costs, and rents, to assess property values or determine the accuracy of assessments.
• Determine taxability of properties, using methods such as field inspection, structural measurement, calculation, sales analysis, market trend studies, and income and expense analysis.