Real Property Annual Review Program

Annual Property Review Process

The Assessor’s Office reviews a portion of properties in the City every year to keep property records accurate and up to date.

What the Review Includes:

• Updating the exterior photo of the property

• Reviewing aerial photos

• Inspecting the condition of the structure

How the Review Works:

• The Assessor’s Office will mail a letter and postcard to residential properties selected for review.

• The postcard contains a few questions about your home's interior amenities.

• A City Appraiser will visit to measure the exterior of your home and take photos. This usually only takes a few minutes and does not require you to be home unless you prefer to be present.

• If you don’t respond before the review, the appraiser will visit your property. The appraiser will always carry City identification.

• Important: The appraiser will not request to inspect the inside of your home. If someone behaves differently, please contact the Police Department immediately.

Additional Inspections:

• Properties may also be inspected when there is new construction, remodeling, or demolition.

• In some cases, a full interior inspection may be requested by the Assessor’s Office.

Why Is This Review Necessary?

The Assessor’s Office must assess all property at 50% of its fair market value, including homes, commercial properties, factories, vacant land, and personal property.
Annual reviews ensure assessments reflect current market conditions and meet State Tax Commission standards.

How Are Review Areas Selected?

Properties are grouped into neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with inconsistent assessed values or market trends are chosen for review to ensure fairness and accuracy.

What Is Market Value?

Market value, or True Cash Value (TCV) in Michigan, is the likely sale price between a willing buyer and seller.
The Assessor considers:

• Land size

• Building size and quality

• Recent real estate sales

• Construction costs

• Rental income and operating expenses (when applicable)

Using this information, the Assessor applies appraisal methods to estimate your property’s value.

Will This Affect My Property Taxes?

• The review information itself does not directly affect your property taxes.

• Your property tax is based on your taxable value, which is less than or equal to your assessed value.

• Assessed value changes with market conditions and physical changes to your property, such as additions or demolitions.

• Any changes will be reflected in your Notice of Assessment Change, mailed each February.