The Assessment Ratio Analysis tool helps you determine whether your property is being assessed at a higher ratio of market value than comparable properties in your area. If it is, you have an 'equal and uniform' argument that can be used independently of — or in addition to — a market value argument.
What Is an Assessment Ratio?
Your assessment ratio is your assessed value divided by your property's market value. If your home is worth $400,000 and your assessed value is $380,000, your assessment ratio is 95%. If the median ratio in your neighborhood is 85%, you are being assessed at a higher ratio than your neighbors — which is grounds for appeal in most states.
Step 1: Enter Your Subject Property
Enter your property's assessed value (from your notice of appraised value), your estimated market value (from a recent appraisal, Zillow, or comparable sales), and your state. The tool will calculate your current assessment ratio.
Step 2: Enter Comparable Properties
Enter 5–10 comparable properties from your neighborhood. For each, enter the assessed value (from the county assessor website) and the market value (from a recent sale or estimate). The tool calculates each property's assessment ratio and the median ratio for your comparables.
Step 3: Review the Analysis
The tool shows your ratio vs. the median ratio and calculates the 'equity-adjusted value' — what your assessed value should be if you were assessed at the same ratio as your neighbors. If this is lower than your current assessed value, you have a quantified equity argument.
Using the Results at Your Hearing
Print the assessment ratio analysis table and bring it to your hearing. Present it as: 'The median assessment ratio for these 8 comparable properties is 82%. My assessment ratio is 97%. To be assessed uniformly, my assessed value should be $X — which is the median ratio applied to my market value of $Y.'
The equity argument is strongest when your ratio exceeds the median by 10 percentage points or more. Smaller differences are harder to win on alone — combine with a market value argument for the best results.