ADA COUNTY, Idaho — Most houses in the Southfork neighborhood saw a 50% increase on their property assessment this year. We all know housing prices are soaring, but some homeowners that live here are wondering why the sudden increase.
One of them is Marian Herz, a retired homeowner who has spent years creating the perfect garden in their backyard and watching the wildlife she loves. So the thought of leaving everything they've built is unthinkable.
"That's the big thing, I don't want to have to do it all over again," Herz said. "I just cant afford to move, it's expensive to move."
She wants to stay, but for many in Marian's situation staying may not be an option.
Property taxes are getting expensive for Marian too and after getting this year's property assessment in the mail.
"It was disbelief, it was anger, it was--there's no way," Herz said.
The assessment showed a 50% increase from $446,100 to $669,800.
Marian's really concerned about what this will mean for her property taxes, especially since she's retired and on a fixed income.
As frustrated as she is, she just wants to understand the process.
"If it's a valid assessment, then just show me how you got to the number," Marian said.
Ada County Assessor, Robert McQuade said the office looks at 2021 sales for each neighborhood in the county and compares them to the 2021 assessed values.
"We're looking for similar properties that would have a similar feel in the neighborhood, similar construction type, similar age," he said. "And if our sale--our assessed value is 80% of that sale price then we know we're 20% low."
Marian was able to get her assessment reduced from $669,800 to $648,400 by calling the appraiser on her property assessment.
The Ada County Assessor website has more information about the assessment process and how to appeal your assessment.
