Correct data is essential to developing accurate estimates of value; therefore, field inspections conducted by our appraisers play a very important part in the process.
Each SCAD appraiser works from his or her own personal vehicle. The appraiser carries an identification badge with his or her picture, name, and unique appraiser number.
Below are the various field projects and detailed descriptions of the type of project we may be performing in your neighborhood.
To verify that the individual working in your neighborhood is actually an appraiser with SCAD, please feel free to contact our office at 254-559-8233
New Construction
Our appraisers inspect neighborhoods and individual properties to observe changes in neighborhood condition, trends and property characteristics. By law, we must continually update property characteristic data to reflect changes brought about by new construction, new parcels, remodeling, demolition, and other changes.
We receive information on the location of building activity through building permits from the cities and county, fire reports, data mailers, and other sources. During a new construction inspection project, an appraiser will inspect only those with identified changes. Depending on the volume of construction activity, you might see one or more appraisers working in your area.
Sales Verification
The appraiser physically inspects properties that have sold, typically within the last 18 months. The purpose of the inspection is to verify the accuracy of our data about the sales transaction information and the characteristics of the property. The appraiser usually does not visit every home on the street, only those with recent sales activity. Depending on the volume of sales activity, you might see an appraiser working in your area for the entire day or for just a short time.
Periodic Reinspection
Whether or not it sells or has new construction, we try to inspect every residential property in Stephens County once every four to six years. The two projects below are related to this periodic inspection. During a reinspection project it is likely you will see an appraiser in your neighborhood for several days.
1. Driving Review:
A driving review is a general inspection of property to ensure that our property records are accurate. The appraiser’s responsibility is to verify the accuracy of property data for every property within a neighborhood. The appraiser generally does so from the appraiser’s vehicle. This project is carried out in conjunction with the field reinspection project described below. If the appraiser determines that a property needs a closer look during the driving review, the appraiser will assign it to the field reinspection project for an on-site inspection.
2. Field Reinspection:
The appraiser will conduct an on-site inspection of properties in the neighborhood to verify characteristics and neighborhood condition. It is typical for the appraiser to visit most, if not all, of the properties on a street.
Limitations on Increasing Property Values on Your Home
Prices of new and used homes in Stephens County have increased substantially in recent years. In order to prevent sharp increases in home property taxes from year to year, Texas voters in 1997 approved a constitutional amendment, which became effective January 1, 1998, to limit increases in the taxable value of a qualified residence homestead.
To qualify, property must be your residence homestead, and you must have received a homestead exemption in your name in both the current and previous years.
Under this law, the value for tax purposes (appraised value) of a qualified residence homestead will be the LESSER of:
- the market value (what the property would sell for on the open market); or
- the preceding year’s appraised value
- + 10%
- + the value of any improvements added since the last re-appraisal.
