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City of Centerville <br /> <br /> <br />Per State Statute, each property must be physically inspected and individually appraised <br />once every five years. For this individual appraisal, or in the event of an assessed value <br />appeal, we use two standard appraisal methods to determine and verify the estimated market <br />value of our residential properties: <br />1. First, an appraiser inspects each property to verify data. If we are unable to view the <br />interior of a home on the first visit, a notice is left requesting a return telephone call from <br />the owner to schedule this inspection. Interior inspections are necessary to confirm our <br />data on the plans and specifications of new homes and to determine depreciation factors <br />in older homes. <br />2. To calculate the estimated market value from the property data we use a Computer <br />Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system based on a <br />reconstruction less depreciation method of appraisal. The cost <br />variables and land schedules are developed through an analysis <br />of stratified sales within the city. This method uses the "Principle <br />of Substitution" and calculates what a buyer would have to pay to <br />replace each home today less age dependent depreciation. <br />3. A comparative market analysis is used to verify these <br />estimates. The properties used for these studies are those that <br />most recently have sold and by computer analysis, are most comparable to the subject <br />property taking into consideration construction quality, location, size, style, etc. The main <br />point in doing a market analysis is to make sure that you are comparing "apples with <br />apples". This will make the comparable properties "equivalent to" the subject property <br />and establish a probable sale price of the subject. <br /> <br />These three steps give us the information to verify our assessed value or to adjust it if necessary. <br /> <br /> <br />According to State Law, it is the assessor's job to appraise all real property at market value for <br />property tax purposes. As a method of checks and balances, the Department of Revenue uses <br />statistics and ratios relating to assessed market value and current sale prices to confirm that the <br />law is upheld. Assessors use similar statistics and sales ratios to identify market trends in <br />developing market values. <br /> <br />A sales ratio is obtained by comparing the assessor's market value to the adjusted sales price of <br />each property sold in an arms-length transaction within a fixed period. An "arms-length" <br />transaction is one that is generated after a property has had sufficient time on the open market, <br />between both an informed buyer and seller with no undue pressure on either party. The median <br />or mid-point ratios are calculated and stratified by property classification. <br /> <br />11 <br /> <br />