Appraisers ask for more time

WILKES-BARRE – Area appraisers and real estate brokers have asked for extensions of reassessment deadlines because they have been overwhelmed by requests for appraisals to be used at assessment appeals.

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said he and acting county Controller A.J. Martinelli met Tuesday with “all different kinds of specialists in real estate” – about 10 of them – to get their input on the county’s ongoing reassessment.

“We wanted to get their thoughts on what should or shouldn’t happen, how we should proceed based on what they’ve seen doing their jobs,” said Skrepenak, the commissioners’ reassessment liaison.

Skrepenak said the professionals are “stressed out” because of the volume of requests for appraisals they’ve been asked to complete before their clients’ assessment appeal hearings.

“You’d think they’d be happy with all the business they’ve been getting, but they’re hoping they can get the information to their clients in a timely fashion before their formal appeals. They would like to see deadlines extended so they have time to do their due diligence,” Skrepenak said

County officials have said all appeals must be heard by Oct. 31 if new assessed values are to go into effect for 2009.

Skrepenak said he heard there were many properties “grossly overassessed (and) grossly underassessed. … Most appraisers can’t take any more clients” because of the volume of requested appraisals they have received.

Skrepenak said the “overall sentiment” of the professionals was that, “They disputed some of the … ways 21st Century came up with their numbers.”

The county is paying 21st Century Appraisals $8 million to complete the reassessment.

“They would have liked to have been a little more involved in the process. … They feel like it was geared more toward quantity than quality,” Skrepenak said of the professionals.

Based on what he heard at the meeting, Skrepenak said he wants to talk with state representatives – including state Rep. Karen Boback – and others “to put together a plan.” Boback, a Republican, is from Harveys Lake, where reassessed property values have been criticized as most out-of-line.

Skrepenak said legislation instituting statewide property tax reform that would reduce or eliminate county and school district taxes is essential. In the meantime, property owners should continue participating in and meeting deadlines for the appeals process if they dispute their new assessed values, he said.

Clear 59°

Property Reassessment

They say they are ‘stressed out’ because of volume of appraisals for assessment appeals.

Place Quick Ads