Common Assessment Questions

Assessment Process

What does an Assessor do?

How does the assessor value property?

How does my assessment affect taxes?

What if I think my assessment might not be Correct?

How do I know if my Assessment is Fair?

If after discussing my assessment with the Assessor's office staff I still think the assessment is not correct, what should I do?

What is the Board of Review?

What is the Board of Review and what evidence do I need to present during a hearing?

What happens after the Board of Review makes its decision?

Market Value versus Assessed Value

What is a "Valid" or Market Sale?

I have heard that property values have gone down dramatically all across the Country recently, how does West Allis compare?

Do the market values of all properties change at the same rate and over the same time frame?

Does the location of my property influence its value?

Why do assessors avoid considering foreclosure or estate sales when calculating assessments?

The family across the street was foreclosed on by the bank who sold their home for a lot less than the assessed value; isn't that proof my assessment should be lowered?

If market values do go down, doesn't that mean our taxes should decrease along with them?

Why am I paying taxes on an assessment that's higher than my property is worth?

Assessment Changes and Adjustments

What is a Revaluation?

Will I be notified if there is a change in my assessment?

How can my assessment change when I haven't done anything to my property?

Can my assessment change in the years between citywide revaluations?

Can the assessment on my property be changed even if the assessor has not been inside my property?

What will happen to my assessment if I improve my property?

Will my assessment go up if I repair my property?

What happens if you review my property after I buy it or take out a building permit; if you discover something that isn't on your records, will my assessment increase?

I have recently built a new home. Will cost to build my property be considered when my assessment is calculated?

I just purchased my home for less (or more) than the assessed value. Will you change my assessment to match my sale price?

I have a refinance appraisal – Will you change my assessment to the appraiser's value?

Taxes and Tax Bills

What are Property Taxes used for?

What do the terms on the Property Tax bill mean?

The Estimated Fair Market Value shown on my tax bill is more than I think my house is worth, what do I do?