Michigan assessors from property assessors offices in Michigan help business owners get the right tax appraisals for their business property. Michigan property assessment means fair and reasonable taxes on any type of personal or business property.

A Michigan property assessor makes documentation available to both mortgage companies and tax departments for appropriate tax levees against property values. When property values rise or fall, a thorough assessment means freeing up cash for expansion or a decrease in your tax bill.

Most Michigan property assessment happens yearly for tax purposes. Michigan land value, like most states, changes some each year, so it’s important to know your rights to fair assessment through property assessors in Michigan. Michigan property assessments will:

1. Give accurate property valuations for Michigan property values.

2. Provide assessment for use in determining summer and winter taxes.

3. Offer opportunities for property improvements due to increased Michigan land value.

4. Give leads on investment properties in revitalization areas.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with Michigan property assessors certified through the State of Michigan Assessors Board

The state of Michigan Assessors Board has training programs available that lead to certification in property assessment. Using a certified property assessor guarantees high standards and accuracy.

I recommend: Visit the State of Michigan Department of Treasury website for information about the property assessor’s certification process. Check out RealEstateExpress.com for certification requirements in the State of Michigan.

Pull Michigan property records for real estate comparisons and taxation rates

Public property records help property owners determine if their rate of property tax is fair and reasonable compared to that of their neighbors or other business owners. Property tax records are available through the tax assessor's office in your city.

I recommend: Visit the State of Michigan Department of Treasury website for information on obtaining or viewing public property tax documents for your community. Skipease is a fast and easy website with access to public tax documents for every state.

Use tax assessment records for insight into changes in Michigan property values

When property values are down, it may be time to expand your holdings. As a business owner it's important to think about expansion when assessments say you could get more for your money. Contact your local tax assessor's office for information on property taxes for parcels considered for expansion purposes.

I recommend: Realestateabc.com and Electronic Appraiser help property owners determine the value of their property and make comparisons to others in their area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Request a detailed copy of your property assessment each year. If you feel your report is inaccurate or unfair in any way, file and appeal with the State of Michigan Assessors Board.
• •  File any appeals to your current property taxes before your tax deadline. Once the deadline is past, it's not as easy to get a favorable ruling on an appeal.

Making the most of property assessors offices in Michigan 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.

Michigan property assessors 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 Michigan assessors offices use 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 a professional appraisal so you may compare it to the property value by the Michigan assessor.
3. Appeal the values given by Michigan property records if needed. Assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn more about the laws regarding Michigan property assessments

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 Michigan Department of the Treasury offers an explanation of property taxes and also has other links regarding property tax laws. Michigan Property Consultants lists a variety of links on state property taxes in Michigan.

Find out how professional appraisers determine Michigan 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: Allied Real Estate Appraisals list several links on property appraisals including a video on appraisals and an overview of the property assessment appeals process. McKinney Appraisal provides a FAQ on property appraisals.

Learn how your county performs a Michigan 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 Park Township Assessing Department offers links on property assessment in Ottawa County including a FAQ. The Hartland County Assessor's Office provides a document to help you understand your property assessment notice.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your Michigan 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.

Employees who undergo property assessors offices in Michigan education and training must be able to determine the fair market value of real estate and personal property. Property assessors who work for the government may also assess property taxes by appraising the property and using prescribed tax schedules.

The qualifications necessary to work in Michigan assessors offices primarily depend on the value of the property and manner in which the transaction will be financed. These requirements can be grouped into three general categories:

1. Education. Property assessors in Michigan usually hold at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. A property assessor will also need to complete additional coursework that is specific to property appraisal. This specialized education is usually taken from a community college or professional organization for appraisers.

2. Experience. Property appraisers will also need to acquire on the job training under the supervision of a qualified professional appraiser.

3. Licenses and certifications. Appraisers who perform property appraisals are required by federal law to have a license if the transaction will involve a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete the courses needed to assess Michigan property records

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

I recommend: The National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers offers courses in appraisal that have been approved by the Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers. The American Real Estate and Appraising Institute provides an approved curriculum for appraisers in Michigan.

Get on-the-job training for Michigan property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Michigan has specific requirements, as laid out by the Michigan 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: The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth provides the specific experience requirements for appraisers in Michigan. Career Web School provides a summary of the work experience required for each type of Michigan appraiser.

Become a licensed Michigan property assessor

Michigan recognizes four categories of appraisers. A limited appraiser must have their work signed by a licensed appraiser. A state licensed appraiser may perform appraisals for federally funded residences worth less than $1,000,000 and all non-federally funded properties. A certified residential appraiser may work on federally funded property. A certified residential appraiser can perform appraisals on residential property and commercial properties worth less than $250,000. A certified general appraiser can perform appraisals on all types of property.

I recommend: The Michigan Association of Realtors summarizes the licensing requirements for appraisers in Michigan. RealEstateExpress.com provides a quick reference for the steps required to get an appraiser's license in Michigan.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Michigan property assessors 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.