Tools and Practical Resources

Below are various tools and practical resources that can be utilized throughout counties assessment process. Many of these items have been discussed in various classes. These documents are in Word and Excel formats and can be customized for each assessor's office. If your office has a need for a resource not shown here please contact one of the team members above. Keep in mind these are just examples and it is not required that these resources are utilized.

  • Effective Age Calculator

    The Effective Age Calculator tool is useful in generating discussion within an office and in helping appraisers quantify and determine effective age in a uniform manner. This tool could also be helpful for training new appraisers to help them understand the influences that affect condition and effective age

  • Annual Assessment Timeline Example

    This timeline example illustrates a typical workflow for an assessor's office throughout the year.

  • New Construction Percent Complete

    Worksheet used to calculate new construction percent complete. Also includes a remodeling calculation for percent complete. Also available in an electronically formatted version for use in the field with tablet PC's. Please contact a team member for this version of the handout.

  • Effective Age with Addition

    Directions on how to determine the effective age of a home with an addition.

  • Property Inspection Field Sheet

    Worksheet used to collect data during a physical inspection. Also available in an electronically formatted version for use in the field with tablet PC'S. Please contact a team member for this version of the handout.

  • Property Inspection Field Sheet- Commercial Properties

    Worksheet used to collect data during a physical inspection of commercial properties. Also available in an electronically formatted version for use in the field with tablet PC'S. Please contact a team member for this version of the handout.

  • Property Sales Verification Template

    Worksheet used to collect data during a sales verification inspection.

  • Numerical Quality Checklist

    Worksheet used to determine property improvement quality. This will assist counties in achieving uniformity in determining a quality rating.

  • Common Fields and Property Characteristics

    This handout provides a list of frequently used administrative fields and property characteristics.

  • Ratio Studies Summary

    This handout provides a general overview of ratio studies and its importance in property tax assessment.

  • Utilizing GIS to Enhance Assessment Functions

    This handout provides a brief overview of the many ways that GIS can be utilized for assessment purposes.

  • Guidelines & Best Practices for Uniformity

 

Valuation Models, Statistical Analysis, & Ratio Studies:

STARS - Statistical Tool for Analytics and Ratio Studies

STARS (Statistical Tool for Analytics and Ratio Studies) is a free statistical tool developed by the DOR and based on Excel that is available to the Counties for use in analysis. It can help provide a record of your analysis and conclusions, assist in identification of outliers, provide statistical measures such as Mean, Median, Weighted Mean, COD, COV, PRD and others, give a quick analysis of proposed changes or adjustments to assessed values and can help automate the production of histograms, scatter diagrams, box charts and tables. For more information or for a copy of STARS please contact Marilyn O'Connell. (Posted October 2009)