In its biannual revaluation of real estate and a “substantial increase” in the residential market, the Greene County Assessor’s Office is expanding the appeal process.
In the past, property owners could schedule a hearing (an option that is still available), but the Assessor’s Office has added an E-Appeal process and a walk-in option for certain dates and times “to give property owners as many opportunities as possible to ask questions or discuss their property values without having to call the office.”
Greene County Assessor Brent Johnson said in a press release that he and his staff made these additions, “due to the many calls our office receives during this time.”
Property values rise sharply in 2023
Notices of real estate value changes are sent out to property owners on odd-numbered years, per state law. This year’s notices will reflect a “substantial increase in the residential real estate market.”
The Assessor’s Office attributes those increases to real estate market shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic, low interest rates, the growth of the Springfield metropolitan area and property purchases by real estate investment companies.
Johnson urged real estate owners to study the notice carefully and not wait until the last minute to inquire about their property valuation or file an appeal. If a property owner feels the property is overvalued or misclassified, instructions on how to file an appeal are on the back of the notice or on the Assessor’s website.
If a hearing with the Assessor’s office does not result in an agreement, property owners can file another appeal to the Greene County Board of Equalization.
Walk-in appeal times offered
Property owners have until June 19 to schedule a hearing, or they can file an appeal online or in-person at the Greene County Election Center, 1126 N. Boonville Ave. in Springfield, during the following dates and times:
- May 23 – May 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily
- May 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- June 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- June 9 from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- June 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- June 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Johnson cautioned against property owners paying for private valuation service companies, which are required to be certified by the state, and instead utilize the information that is available for free through the Assessor’s office.
“Many of these companies offer services that property owners can do on their own via research or discuss directly with our office at no cost,” Johnson said in the release. “Many of them do not perform any due diligence, which results in inaccurate information and slows down the appeals process, wasting tax dollars and costing the property owner.”
