A Sweet Spot in Spokane's Economy--Home Values Holding

Mr. Rich Hadley, President and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, in the "Guest Commentary" in the Journal of Business March 12, 2009 edition, reminds everyone of some sweet spots in the economy.  Specifically, "Your  home's value is holding up pretty well.  While single-family home sales in Spokane County were down 28 percent in 2008, the average sales price fell only 3.5 percent, and the median price held fairly steady.  Also, unlike many other parts of the country, home prices remained above 2006 levels.  Be thankful you don't own a home in Boise: Forbes magazine predicts Boise-area housing prices will continue to drop until early 2011, with prices plummeting 32 percent from mid-2008 levels."

Reproduced with permission of the Journal of Business

How We Determine Your Residential Assessed Value

To start with, let me give you some general information, some timelines, and then the actual process we use in Spokane County to determine your residential assessed value.  First of all, the county assessor determines your . . . Read more
How We Determine Your Residential Assessed Value article.

Property Tax Explanation

As Spokane County Assessor, I’ve received a number of inquiries that highlight broad misunderstanding of how our property taxes are determined and where limits apply.  The best way I know to explain Washington’s property tax system is with a simple illustration. . . Read more Property Tax Explanation article.

How to Improve Your Chances of Winning Your Assessed Value Appeal

The key to improving your chances of winning your appeal is to provide the BOE comparable sales of homes like yours that indicate the Assessor has your valuation too high.  When available, we provide up to four comparable sales for your property on the assessor webpage.  You'll find comparable sales for your parcel by entering your parcel number in the "Parcel Information Search" . . . Read more Improving your Chances of Appeal

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide fair and accurate real and personal property parcel assessments and timely lawful adjustments to those assessments legally appropriate. We also maintain accurate mapping of real property parcels and provide friendly helpful customer solutions to all citizens.

Location

Assessor's Office
1116 West Broadway
County Courthouse, 1st Floor
Spokane, WA 99260-0010
Contact the Assessor's Office: Assessor's Office

Hours

Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday (excluding holidays)

Services

• Revalue all real property parcels to market value annually.
• Inspect all real property parcels at least once every 6 years.
• Maintain inventory, description, ownership, sales and geographical information system mapping information for all county property parcels.
• Prepare annual statement of assessed valuations, tax rates and taxes levied within the various taxing districts of Spokane County.
• Provide information, education, and assistance.
• Provide public computer access to assessment data.
• Allocate value to taxing districts, calculate levy rates, and certify the tax roll to the Treasurer.
• Administer and provide information for property tax exemptions and deferrals:
  • Senior citizen and disabled persons Property Tax Exemption
  • Current Use Farm & Agriculture, Open Space, Forest Land, and Timber
  • Historic properties 
  • Residential home improvement 
• Defends assessments before the Board of Equalization, State Board of Tax Appeals & courts.

The Assessors Office...

• 51 Employees
  • 23 Real Property Appraisers
  •  9 Customer Solutions Representatives
  •  8 Geographical Information Specialists
  •  4 Personal Property Evaluators
  •  7 Support Staff
• In 2008
  • 208,650 real properties assessed
  • 15,568 personal property accounts assessed
  • $814,579,704 of new construction assessed
  • Granted 10,266 senior/disabled exemptions
  • Distributed property taxes for 56 taxing districts.