With the recent changes in our local market conditions, 2008 will be an important year to make sure your real estate has been assessed fairly. Often, matters like this can be resolved with a phone call or a visit to the assessor. However, if after discussing your assessment with the Kootenai or Spokane county assessor, you still feel as though your property was overvalued, a professional, independent, third-party appraiser is often your best bet in proving your case. That's where we come in.

We are familiar with the procedures for appealing assessments in both Kootenai and Spokane counties and can offer assistance insuring evidence that your properly has been over-assessed is presented properly.

Please note: It makes sense to do your own research before determining whether to go forward with a property assessment appeal, especially before you make the decision to hire a professional appraiser. However, according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), we are not allowed to take "shortcuts" -- i.e., your research -- and use it on its face as part of our independent evaluation. When you hire us for an assessment appeal, you're commissioning  an independent, third-party professional appraisal report. As such we do our own evaluation, beginning to end. If you're right that your property has been overvalued, an independent report such as ours will be even more persuasive than any other evidence you can marshal on your own. But it depends on our ability to do the work independently.

Sometimes, you will have a hearing on your assessment appeal and will need for the appraiser you've hired to testify on your behalf. Be assured that at Handlen-Robeson, Inc., we are able to professionally and persuasively testify at appeal hearings.  Browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered.