Using Tax Assessor Data To Value Properties

[Justin Westmoreland]

Does anyone use the tax assessor assessment to estimate the ARV of a property? If so how do you do it? I'm finding in my area its safe to say that properties are selling around 3-4 times the assessment value.

[Alan G.]

Justin,

In Pennsylvania, at least the area in which I am in is just outside of Philadelphia , the assessed value means absolutely nothing in relation to the true value of the property. I actually want a lower number since that is what determines my taxes.

Go with simple comps since that will be the most accurate to the true value.