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Whatcom County Property Taxes Are Getting Fairer

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty

The Whatcom County tax bills that start arriving in homes this week will be the first under the county's new, more fair, annual tax system

The four-year cycle of reassessments  where property owners in different parts of the county taking turns getting  big jumps in property value and the unjust share of property tax payments that came with them are gone.

County Council approved spending about $2.5 million on upgrading computers needed to make the system work.

Some people in the county will see minor adjustments this year as all properties get caught up to the same assessment cycle.

The values are determined by the size of, and amenities of a property along with the recent sales of comparable properties. Homeowners always want low assessments for taxes but high assessments when they want to sell.

Concerned taxpayers should go to the county assessors property website and read the descriptions of your property. If you find something wrong - from the size of the lot to the number of rooms - you may have a case for an appeal.

The four-year cycle created lots misunderstanding. The new system seems more equitable and easier to understand.

Comments(3)

Trisha Bush-LeFore
Preferred Properties Land & Homes - Walla Walla, WA
Providing Realtor Services in the Walla Walla Area

Great post - Walla Walla County should do the same as Whatcom County has done!

Dec 13, 2010 05:11 PM
Sandra Pearce
Republic Mortgage Home Loans in Olympia Washington - Olympia, WA

Great information.   I wasn't aware they were making these changes so thanks!  We all hate paying property taxes for sure but most definitely love high values when it's time to sell, so true so true.

Dec 15, 2010 09:57 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Michael,
The new tax bill for a duplex I own in Fairhaven did go down. That is good as far as paying the taxes but you hate to see things you own go down in value.

Dec 18, 2010 04:31 AM