The Town of Jaffrey has hired the assessment firm Municipal Resources, Inc., to begin the process of a townwide revaluation to bring property assessments in line with current market conditions.
The revaluation will have three phases: a market analysis, a field review and hearings where property owners can ask questions about or challenge their assessments.
The first phase of the revaluation will be a market analysis and valuation. The analysis will take into account current market rates for land and building, using recent property sales,. Municipal Resources will visit all properties that have been sold between April 1, 2023, and the end of March to measure the exterior and attempt to verify interior details, either verbally or with an interior inspection. Property owners who have purchased properties in that time frame will be sent letters requesting information about the sale and the condition of the property at the time of the sale.
Once market data is collected, the second phase of the revaluation will begin. All other properties in the town will be reviewed for consistency and accuracy. This can be done with a drive-by field review or a desk review, conducted by a assessing supervisor from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration.
Once the field review is complete, property owners will receive a notice of their new, preliminary assessed value. After receiving the new assessment, property owners will have the opportunity to schedule an informal hearing to discuss question or concerns related to the process, their assessed value or property data with Municipal Resources.
After the hearings, adjustments to values may be made, and the assessments will be finalized to be accepted by the town. The New Hampshire Department of Revenue will check a percentage of viewed properties to ensure accuracy.
The market analysis and field review are expected to take place this spring and early summer. The hearings are expected to be held by mid-summer. The new property values will be reflected in the Jaffrey November tax bill.
All Municipal Resources personnel will have picture identification and letters from the town identifying them. Personnel information will also be registered with the Jaffrey Police Department.
For information about the revaluation, contact Municpial Resources at 603-279-0352 or the Jaffrey town offices at 603-532-7445 ext. 102. More information about the revaluation will be available on the town’s website, townofjaffrey.com.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @Ash leySaariMLT.