Understanding the assessed value of your home

by Marsha Charles 08/12/2024

Whether you’re searching for your next home to purchase or considering selling your current property, your home’s assessed value is important to know through every stage of homeownership.


When tax assessed value matters & how to calculate it

The assessed value of your home is the estimate of your home’s worth in the current market, and this amount is what's used to determine your yearly property taxes. 


As a homeowner, knowing your assessed property value can help you budget your money more effectively for property taxes and understand if you have enough equity built up to borrow a home loan.


If you purchased your home years prior and are considering selling the property, the current value has most likely greatly increased, so knowing the assessed price of your home can help when deciding how much to list your home for. 


To calculate your home's assessed value, the market value of the home is multiplied by the decimal form of the assessment rate.  The formula for this is:

Assessed Value = Market Value x (Assessment Rate / 100)


Assessments versus appraisals

So, what’s the difference between assessment and an appraisal? The appraised value of your home is how much the property is worth on the market whereas the assessment is the number used by your local government to determine property taxes. 

During an appraisal, usually a state licensed appraiser is sent out by a mortgage lender to examine the property. During the examination they observe the foundation, structure, square footage, HVAC system and more. 

For assessments, your local government hires professional assessors to use data about the home, including previous years appraisals, to determine the worth of the property and how much taxes need to be paid on the property.  

The assessed value of your home is constantly changing due to market conditions. Staying up to date with this information can prepare you, regardless of what step you’re on in the journey of homeownership.



About the Author
Author

Marsha Charles

Consistent top listing and selling agent receiving Chairman's Club award for superior sales achievement almost every year while associated with Preferred Properties, Inc. Consistently receive the International Presidents Premier award for sales volume since joining Coldwell Banker Realty and ranked in the top 1% of agents in Connecticut and Westchester County. In 2021 I received the International Society of Excellence award for sales volume in excess of $100,000,000. I have been named a Top Five Sales Agent for customer satisfaction since 2010 (longer than any other agent in Connecticut) and listed in Connecticut Magazine. Named one of the Top Agents in Connecticut by Real Trends since 2018. 

I work with sellers and buyers and also have a strong understanding to needs of those who are relocating . Background and experience in advertising, public relations and photography offer creative and innovative marketing plans for sellers.  

Realtor designations include: Graduate Real Estate Institute, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Residential Marketing Specialist, and Pricing Strategy Advisor. Served as President of New Canaan Board of Realtors (two terms), Director (three terms) and currently serve on Professional Standards Committee. Named Realtor of the year by the New Canaan Board of Realtors in 1994and again in 2022. 

Married and mother of other of four children who attended and graduated from the New Canaan School System, Member of New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Statewide MLS systems. Areas covered include New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Rowayton, Norwalk, Wilton and all of lower Fairfield County.