To rely on a tax to fund education which can fluctuate widely with the economic winds of the business cycle is to put our children's schooling at risk. End of my property tax story. The Grand List is a list of the appraised value of all real property parcels in a town and is the basis for raising property taxes from specific properties. Valuing real estate at fair market value is an education guessing game. The same method for determining fair market value is used by town listers and assessors, professional appraisers for mortgage loans, estates and insurance.
Land is valued almost solely on sales and specific attributes.
If town listers are conscientious, and most are, this process is done carefully for each home. The owner has a right, in law, to appeal the determination of value by the listers. If the owner is not satisfied with the response to this appeal, he can appeal to the Board of Civil Authority, or further to the State Appraiser or the Superior Court. This system of local appraisal, within a town, usually works very well. Most listers are willing to examine their work and make changes when they make a mistake.