The values of over 300,000 parcels of property throughout Pierce County have been determined and mailed or emailed this week to the property owners. These 2019 values will be used as the basis for property taxes to be billed in February 2020.
“Residential property continues to increase in value, although the rate of increase has slowed compared to last year,” said Mike Lonergan, Pierce County assessor-treasurer. Overall, residential properties went up 7.5 percent this year, compared to 11.8 percent in 2018.
Countywide averages can be misleading, because values increase at varying rates in different communities. “The increase in Tacoma was among the highest at 9.5 percent, bringing the typical residence to $321,000,” Lonergan explained. “By contrast Dupont’s increase was only 4.5 percent, however their average value remains higher at $334,000.”
The highest average value in the county is $482,000 in Gig Harbor, while the least expensive homes are found in more remote locations such as Wilkeson and South Prairie, averaging $207,000 to $210,000.
Lonergan cautioned homeowners not to jump to the conclusion that an increase in value will result in a tax increase. “It’s a math equation,” he said. “Your tax in 2020 will be the 2019 value multiplied by the combined tax rates of your school district, city, fire district and so forth, added to the state and countywide property taxes that everyone pays. A lot depends on votes by the public and the Legislature.”
He added that any owner who believes the assessor-treasurer has over-valued their property may appeal to the Pierce County Board of Equalization at no cost. The appeal must be filed no later than Sept. 10, providing evidence that comparable properties have sold recently at a lower amount. More information is available at www.piercecountywa.gov/atr.
JC says
Wrong. Our taxes have increased. And how is this “value” determined? I’ve never seen anyone physically come out to look at properties, except potential buyers. Sitting in an office and using Google maps? Based on homes that sold around the area? Many houses around us haven’t made major improvements that are visible inside or out. Not even the meter reader no longer comes out to read meters as it’s digitized. Technology is fallible. So how are these values determined? Truthfully.
Property Owner says
They do come out to view your property. I know this because I “caught” one doing so several years ago observing a house then owned.
I noticed a private vehicle parked across the street from the house. It looked as though the person was looking at my house, then looking down at her lap and writing something down, and then looking up again. I went out to see what she was doing, and she told me, honestly. But then she started making comments about the house and asking questions. That’s where you need to be careful. I would not offer any information to her, but the conversation ended well.
On a recent walk, living elsewhere now, I noticed the same thing. A woman was kind of hunched down in her seat (like at my house, previously), looking around and taking notes. I have also read that they use drones to fly over your property to view any changes to the property (sheds, pools, water features, etc.).
So watch out. They’re out there!
Mike Lonergan says
The cars used by our appraisers are marked with Pierce County door decals. For your safety and ours, we want you to know who we are. Our purpose is to place the right value on a property, based upon square footage, quality of construction, current condition, changes since the last inspection, and any special features or deficiencies. This is so that each property owner pays their fair share of taxes for schools, public safety, etc.
If we have a question, we may knock on the door and ask, since you know more about your property than we do. In addition to the previous record from the last inspection, we do look at aerial photographs of the entire county, which is especially helpful in rural areas, but we do not use drones at all. –Mike Lonergan, Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
Property Owner says
Aerial photos/using drones, I don’t see much difference. By the way, what is the source of those aerial photos? How are they taken? Who is taking them?
Perhaps the assessors are operating differently now, but I did not see any such decal some ten to fifteen years ago at the previous property.
Mike Lonergan says
Thank you for asking, JC. Every property in Pierce County is physically inspected on a six-year cycle by one of our 30 field appraisers. They confirm the condition, view, and any changes, making a photographic record of the visit. In the years between inspections, actual sales of similar properties in the area are used to determine changes in value. A ratio study is performed yearly on each county assessor’s work to determine the accuracy of appraised values compared to actual sales. The latest ratio of appraised value to market value for Pierce County is 91.5%. We continue to be in a rising real estate market, where both land and building values may rise due to supply and demand, without any change to the property. –Mike Lonergan, Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
Gail Alverson says
Property values don’t take into account the interior of the house. Most homes for sale have been “spruced up” . What about those of us who can’t afford to paint, fix flooding that is coming apart, doors that are not closing properly, etc., etc., etc.? My house has many repairs that should be done but I am unable to afford. Several houses on my block have recently been sold, but only after the owners “spruced them up”. Our property taxes have become a financial burden to those of us on a fixed income.
Mike Lonergan says
Ms. Alverson, Thanks for your comment and question. It is true that in many cases we are not able to view the interior of a home. We base the value on factors such as livable area, the initial construction quality, the “Effective Year Built” which is adjusted when there is a major remodel, and the observed condition of the house. Mass appraisal does its best to compare values of similar properties, but you are correct that it is not exact. However, assuming that someone did $10,000 worth of “spruce up” before selling, the difference in taxes is approximately $13 per thousand, or $130 in annual taxes. A property owner who believes their house could not be sold for the value placed on it by the Assessor-Treasurer may appeal to the Board of Equalization, itemizing the cost of needed repairs that would affect the market value. –Mike Lonergan, Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
Gail Alverson says
Thank you for your reply. I will look into it.