The Comparables

This is an important part of the system.  Please take your time with this section, your choices are used to create your grievance reports. The only real measure of value is what someone is willing to pay. This is why sold properties are used to justify your grievance petition.  Our Property Selection Wizard uses the information entered into the Property Profile to help narrow the selection of sold homes, identifying homes that are more comparable with your own.

The Comparable display shows a map with the addresses of properties sold in your neighborhood.  To help, we color coded these sales.  The more comparable addresses are in the GREEN and DARK GREEN sections.  Each successive section is less comparable than the section above it.  Select 3 or 4 properties that closely match yours in style, number of rooms, bed and bathrooms.  A sold price close or lower than your properties market value is a good choice.  If the assessment is also lower, even better.  Avoid selecting properties with very low sold prices; they are most likely in a position where the property has to be sold.  A sale of this type will not be considered by your town.  The type of sale is noted on the MLS detail sheets.

If you don’t find properties you want to use in the green sections, move to the ORANGE section.  Same price properties with higher assessments can also be a good choice.  This may mean the property is larger or may have a pool or maybe the owner just never filed a tax grievance.  The MLS detail sheets will help you identify these differences.  If you know a realtor, they will be happy to help with your detail sheets.