Property Assessments Up for McLean, Great Falls Homeowners

Fairfax County officials mailed real estate assessments to more than 350,000 property owners Monday, and about 71 percent of residential property owners will see an increase in their assessments this spring.

Fairfax County has produced a video (which you can watch by clicking on it in the media box to the right) explaining the 2013 assessment documents.

“The assessed value of properties may change for a variety of reasons. Among these are appreciation and value declines (i.e., equalization changes); and, structural changes (additions, remodeling), rezonings, and land divisions (i.e., growth). A combination of these factors can apply to the same property,” according to the County’s Department of Tax Administration.

According to Fairfax County data:

• Based on equalization changes, the mean assessed value (i.e., on average, countywide) of most single family-detached homes for 2013 is $550,609, up 3.13 percent.
• Additionally, based on equalization changes, townhouse/duplex properties have a 2013 countywide assessment average of $337,817, an increase from 2012 of approximately 4.50 percent.
• The mean assessed value for condominiums is up 5.42 percent to $222,722.

Here’s the data from our area:

The area with the highest percent increases are Herndon and Lorton. The lowest percent increases were in the Clifton area.

Don’t like your assessment? Assessment appeals may be made through the Department of Tax Administration or the Board of Equalization.