Just as in many other fields, computers are useful in the assessment process. Appraisers are trained to look for relationships between property characteristics and market value. By coding these characteristics and studying sale prices, appraisers can estimate value by developing formulas and models. Computers are much faster and are capable of advance analysis in this area. But despite these capabilities, common sense and appraiser judgment are always required to verify assessments.
Staff appraisers most familiar with the neighborhoods and properties review all assessments.
There are differences between individual properties and between neighborhoods. In one area the sales may indicate a substantial increase in value in a given year. In another neighborhood there may be no change in value, or even a decrease in property values. Different types of properties within the same neighborhood may also show different value changes. Older homes in the same area may be rising in value more slowly than newer homes.