Johnston County appraisers and members of Pearson Appraisals are out in the county reviewing properties in preparation for the state mandated 2011 real property revaluation. Residential property reviews are nearing completion and commercial property reviews are underway countywide.
Pat Goddard Johnston County Tax Administrator said, "All appraisers will wear county identification badges even if they are not driving a county vehicle. No one will ask to see the inside of your home, but citizens can request an inside visit if they feel an inside inspection is necessary."
In North Carolina, revaluations are required at least every eight (8) years and Johnston County conducted the last revaluation project in 2003. Many counties have shortened the revaluation cycle to every four (4) years; however, Johnston County remains on an eight (8) year cycle.
Goddard said, "The main focus of any revaluation is to equalize values among properties. Some properties have increased in value more substantially than other properties. Everyone has heard value is location, location, location and some properties are in more desirable areas while other properties have remained the same or decreased in value."
When asked about the current market conditions, Goddard said, "The County looks at all valid sales and the sales will continue to be reviewed into late 2010 to determine value." The local real estate market appreciated considerably from 2003 to 2007, but sales and growth have slowed since 2008.
Notices of new value will be sent to citizens in late 2010 or early 2011 and informal appeals will begin first quarter 2011. The new values take effect on January 1, 2011.
For more information on the revaluation process, call 919-989-5130.