Making the most of property assessors offices in Delaware will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

Delaware property assessor offices use several factors such as location and size to determine the value of a property. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information the Delaware property appraiser uses to make the assessment. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor also will be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get professional appraisals so you may compare them to the official Delaware property assessments.
3. Appeal the Delaware property appraisal if needed. Assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.
   

Action Steps
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Learn more about the laws regarding Delaware tax records

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are assessed. There also may be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.

I recommend: The State of Delaware addresses property issues in Title 25 of the Delaware state code. Omniglot contains a summary of state tax laws in Delaware including property taxes.

Find out how professional appraisers determine Delaware property values

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.

I recommend: Absolute Appraisals in Dagsboro performs appraisals and also dispels some myths regarding property appraisals. The Duszak Appraisal Company offers multiple FAQs on its property appraisal process.

Learn how your county performs a Delaware property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.

I recommend: The City of Dover Tax Assessor's Office provides an overview of the duties of the tax assessor. The Kent County Tax Assessment Office provides a FAQ on property assessment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your Delaware property assessor to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.

Delaware property assessments are an estimation of property value. They're used to determine the property taxes for residential and commercial land, and buildings. Assessors maintain records of new construction, renovations and significant repair so they can stay on top of a property's value. Part of the assessor's job is to take photos of properties, from the outside, to keep their records up-to-date.

Delaware property assessors also provide a variety of other information to the potential investor besides just property tax records. Ownership changes, up-to-date maps of property lines and property descriptions are just a few other things they handle. In addition, they analyze trends in property sales prices, the costs of constructing a new property and the average expense for renting property. Get familiar with Delaware property assessment because the records can help you:

1. Determine Delaware property value using the information gathered by a Delaware property assessor.

2. Track property market trends by following Delaware property history.

3. Negotiate with the Delaware property appraiser for a lower assessment.

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Know the ins and outs of Delaware property assessments

Delaware property appraisers don't assess state-level taxes on property but there are county and municipal property taxes. It pays to know the laws because you can save yourself money with property tax relief programs if you invest in Delaware property.

I recommend: Review Bankrate.com for information on Delaware tax records; just click on the "Property" tab for more insight. The Tax Foundation explains how property taxes in Delaware are among the lowest in the country.

Find Delaware property assessments online to determine property values

While it's essential to keep Delaware county tax records up to date, it's nearly impossible for assessors to look at all properties yearly. But, by looking through the most recent assessments of neighboring properties, you can determine where your investment property falls in line.

I recommend: Delaware county tax records are public information. National Association of Counties (NACO) links you to the websites of the 3 counties in the state. In addition, visit New Castle County, Delaware and Sussex County's property tax information. Intelius’ tracking tool provides Delaware property information for a small fee. Skipease is a free property owner search which provides specific links to property assessors' offices in Delaware.

Negotiate an assessment with knowledge of Delaware property values

Information is power. Gather together information from comparable properties in your area. Choose properties with a similar size lot, structure and condition and make an appointment with the property assessor's offices in Delaware. Some assessors conduct informal hearings where they'll hear you out. If not, you can file a grievance with the state of Delaware.

I recommend: Most property assessors' offices in Delaware can be contacted via phone. But some, like the Kent County Levy Court allow you to email the assessment supervisor. Property Tax Magic will walk you through the entire process appeal, from determining your taxes to filing grievance forms to a Delaware property appraiser.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Beware that Delaware land records are helpful but are not always a true indication of what you'll pay for an investment property that's on the market. Sometimes the assessments are low and sometimes they're high.

Property assessors offices in Deleware education and training will teach you how to appraise personal and real and personal property in order to estimate its fair market value. Property assessors may also assess property for the purpose of setting property taxes in accordance with a prescribed schedule.

The requirements needed to work in property assessors offices for Delaware are complex and vary by the type and value of the property being appraised. Generally, these requirements may be grouped in the following categories:

1. Education. While there are no formal degree requirements for a Delaware property appraiser, most practicing assessors have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. However, the specific courses that a property assessor needs are usually taken at a community college or professional assessor organization.

2. On-the-job training. This is required to obtain a license or certification and should be acquired in the office of an independent fee appraiser, if possible.

3. Licensure. Federal law requires that assessors who estimate Delaware property value have a state-issued license if they will be involved in transactions requiring a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

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Complete the courses needed to work in a Delaware county tax assessors office

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to assess Delaware property values. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: The Appraisal Institute is approved by the Delaware Council on Real Estate Appraisers to provide qualifying education for appraisers in Delaware. Act Web Services provides a list of courses that apply towards the education requirements for Delaware appraisers.

Get on-the-job training for Delaware property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Delaware has specific requirements, as laid out by the Delaware Real Estate Appraisers Board. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process, and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.

I recommend: Chapter 40 of the Delaware Code specifies the supervision requirements of an appraiser trainee. Title 24 of Delaware's Administrative Code provides the nature and type of qualifying experience for trainees in Delaware.

Become a licensed Delaware property assessor

Delaware recognizes four categories of appraisers. A trainee appraiser must be supervised by a licensed appraiser. A state licensed appraiser may perform appraisals on federally funded transactions with a value of less than $1,000,000. A state certified residential appraiser may perform appraisals on all residential property and all other property valued at less than $250,000. A state certified general appraiser can perform appraisals on all types of property.

I recommend: The Council on Real Estate Appraisers provides the steps needed to become a licensed appraiser in Delaware. American Contractors Education Services summarizes the requirements for an appraiser license in Delaware.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Assessors who perform Delaware property appraisal may choose to become a member of a national or regional assessor association. Full membership in a professional organization usually requires significantly more education and experience than the minimum licensing requirements of the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB). Many of these associations also offer a membership category specifically for trainees.