Understanding the Sandy River Plantation Revaluation
Sandy River Plantation is conducting a town-wide property revaluation that will affect property assessments used to calculate the November 2026 tax bills.
Current assessed values are approximately 59% of market value, meaning many assessments no longer reflect current market conditions and may not be applied consistently across all properties.
What is a Revaluation?
A revaluation is the process of updating all property assessments to reflect current market value, ensuring that property taxes are distributed fairly and equitably among property owners.
A revaluation is revenue neutral. It does not automatically increase the amount of property tax revenue collected by the town. Instead, it adjusts how the tax burden is distributed based on updated property values.
Why This Matters
Property values do not change at the same rate over time.
When assessments become outdated:
- Some properties may be assessed below market value.
- Some properties may be assessed above market value.
- Tax burdens may no longer be distributed fairly among property owners.
A revaluation helps ensure that each property owner pays their appropriate share of the tax levy based on current market conditions.
It also helps ensure that property tax exemptions and other assessment-related programs are administered accurately and consistently.
What to Expect
Property Review
Property records will be reviewed and may include field inspections or site visits to verify property characteristics and ensure assessment accuracy.
Timeline
The revaluation process typically takes more than a year to complete, from data collection and property review through market analysis and the establishment of final assessed values. Any resulting changes will be reflected on your November 2026 property tax bill.
Your Assessment
Once the revaluation is complete, property owners will receive notice of their new assessed value. Property owners will have an opportunity to review their assessment, ask questions, and request a review if they believe information about their property is inaccurate.
How This Affects Your Taxes
A revaluation does not determine how much money the town raises in taxes.
The total amount of property taxes collected is determined through the annual municipal budgeting process.
As property values increase, the tax rate generally decreases to offset the higher assessments. After a revaluation:
- Some property tax bills may increase.
- Some property tax bills may decrease.
- Some property tax bills may remain relatively unchanged.
The impact on any individual property depends on how its value changes relative to other properties in Sandy River Plantation.
Common Questions
Will my taxes go up?
Not necessarily. Whether your tax bill increases, decreases, or remains about the same depends on how your property's value changes compared to other properties throughout the town.
Can I question my assessment?
Yes. Property owners will have an opportunity to review their assessment and discuss any concerns with the assessing staff.
Do I have to allow a property inspection?
No. However, access to accurate property information helps ensure that assessments are as fair and accurate as possible.
Questions?
We encourage residents to contact the town with any questions about the revaluation process.
Additional updates will be shared through the town website, social media channels, and public notices.