The owners of a 57-year old home in Kansas’ Sedgwick County are appealing their property tax appraisal. A county appraiser, though, explains why appraisals may change in a year’s time. Homeowners always believe their property’s appraisal is too high.
Steve and Karyl Kirk have lived in their home for decades. They got their appraisal notice this year and found the appraised value of their home had gone up 6 percent. According to the source, fifty-three percent of residential property in Sedgwick County appraised for this year showed an increase, while only 8 percent showed a decrease.
The couple in question heard the county commissioners’ explanation of the process, but still expressed disappointment over the determined value of their home.
"Hey, we're going to have to move into assisted living or an apartment and lose this wonderful place that we worked so hard for," Kirk told KAKE.com. "We have worked for years and years and years. We can't afford to go on vacation."
County Appraiser Michael Borchard said appraisals change because the market changes. Property sales activity has gone up from 10,962 in 2013 to 11,771 in 2015. Home sales appreciation has gone from negative one percent in 2012 to an estimated three percent increase in each of the last three years.
Borchard said the state sets the rules on appraisals and the tax rate is determined after the budget is set in August.
"Historically, taxing jurisdictions have held levies constant," Borchard said. "If your appraisal went up five percent then likely your property tax will go up five percent. But they don't have to."