Anyone thinking of going down to have one of those "informal talks" with the assessor in Schenectady can forget about it. You need an appointment, and you can't get an appointment.
It is a requirement by the state that local assessors have informal meetings with property owners if the property owners request. That is part of the "assessment process" and the evidence IS FOUND on the state website.
The purpose of such informal meeting/review is to obviously talk to the asessor, make sure the information is correct, e.g., number of bathrooms for example or one family vs two family. These reviews I believe have always been held following a complete reassessment.
Such informal review is intended to be a means for the assessor to explain why the assessor's office has assessed a property in the amount that it has done so. Logically an assessor might say to a homeowner "well yes, X number of houses have sold, but half were estate sales...." thus not an open market sale, homeowners don't exactly have enough to know whether a house sold because it's an estate sale or an open market.
The board of assessment listens to the homeowner and listens to the assessor. But the board doesn't get involved in explaining why something is what it is assessed for. Now, you might say during a board grievance "the city has might house listed as a 3 family, it is only a two family, it has only two kitchens and two baths, see, here are photos of a walk-through the house." Then the assessor would have to tel the board why the assessor claims it's 3 family, and I would think, provide proof.
But realize that if the assessor has the informal review, this reduces the number of grievances, it eliminates the need for said homeowners to go through all the prep work and paperwork, etc.
So it would be nice if the city of Schenectady assessor's office followed the requirements of the state. However, we "nayboobs" have the intelligence to know that the mayor would NEVER allow the assessor to have meetings with homeowners, after all, why does his cronies on the board of assessment merely say "denied-insufficient data." ???? For the assesor to meet with homeowners in Schenectady city would result in the assessor having to give in to the homeowners, then the tentative assessment roll would have lower assessments and other potential grievants would see lower assessments on the tentative roll which would make them more likely to grieve.
Another reason why the city (of Schenectady) assessor does not follow the process of this state is because who is the head of the state's real property office? It's the savage woman, a dem crony of the city, so she is not going to crack the whip on the city.
It's a guaranteed fact, and ALL THE EVIDENCE PROVES that the ONLY way to get your assessment lowered in the city of Schdy is to go to the court levels beyond the board level, extra work, time, and money.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
It's really too late now, these informals should be done in January, before the flood of annual STAR reapplications and stuff comes in which then that office is busy with to get the tentative roll together.
But, it would still be worth it to speak at POF at council meetings and read from the material put out by the state that speaks about the informal review and state that the city assessor is refusing peoples' requests and tell the council you feel you are entitled to know why the asessor is not doing the job she (or he, whatever in the future) is being paid by your tax dollars to do.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
She stated that an appointment is necessary, (wouldn't that make it a "formal" talk?) and they are "booked out".
"Booked out" = a lie, a claim of a full appointment calendar when the assessor will not meet with homeowners.
Doesn't matter whether there is an appointment of not, it's an "informal review."
From New York State:
Quoted Text
Step Three: If your assessment is too high
Often, an informal discussion between a taxpayer and an assessor can result in a sharing of information beneficial to both parties. If such a discussion does not result in a reduction in your assessment, and you still feel as though your assessment is too high, you may wish to contest your assessment.
"....contest your assessment." = a grievance at the board of assessment level.
Again, from New York State:
Quoted Text
How to Estimate the Market Value of your Home
Why should I estimate my home's market value? Establishing your home's market value gives you greater control over your property taxes, insurance premiums, and the sale or refinancing of your home. Many people hire professional appraisers to estimate their home's market value. However, there's no reason why you can't do it yourself by following a few simple steps outlined below.
What is market value? Market value is how much a home would sell for under normal conditions. This excludes sales where the buyer or seller is under pressure to act, perhaps due to career relocation, death of a family member, or divorce. Market value is basically an educated guess, but it can be fairly accurate if you apply the right method and consider all the important details.
A number of factors may affect your home's market value, including: •External characteristics - "curb appeal," home condition, lot size, popularity of an architectural style of property, water/sewage systems, sidewalk, paved road, etc.
•Internal characteristics - size and number of rooms, construction quality, appliance condition, demonstrated "pride of ownership," heating type, energy efficiency, etc.
•Supply and demand - the number of homes for sale versus the number of buyers; how quickly the homes in your area sell.
•Location - desirability for a particular school district, neighborhood, etc.
How do I estimate my home's market value? We recommend you use the sales comparison approach to estimate your home's market value. This is the primary method used by professional appraisers and real estate agents to determine the market value of homes.
Begin by researching recent sales of similar properties in the local area. The sale prices of these properties will provide a good place to start with in estimating your home's value. Try to find sales of least three properties that are comparable to your home. If possible, make sure these properties were sold under normal conditions. You only want properties sold at market value.
How do I determine whether a property is comparable? Look for these characteristics in determining whether the sold property is comparable: •lot size •square footage •home style •age •location
Get three comparison properties????????? People in Schenectady city present DOZENS (plural) of comparables, but the board of assessment members, handpicked cronies of Stratton, Savage, and McCarthy still say "insufficient evidence."
Cheerleaders are silent.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Must make a "campaign sign" in a pic like that which says McClaine for council, Kelleher for council, and Lazzari for council
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Funny picture. I'm not quite sure of the meaning, but funny none the less. What road is that?
Drive around town, stay on main roads, you'll find the location.
Think of it as a** crossings.
The third comment is more of a
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Logged
