Property assessors offices in West Virginia 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 perform WV property assessments 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 performing West Virginia property assessments, 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 West Virginia property assessors 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 become a WV assessor

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that help students get a job in a WV assessors office. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: Hagerstown Community College is approved in West Virginia to provide qualifying education for appraisers. Allegany College of Maryland is an approved education provider for appraisers in West Virginia.

Get on-the-job training for West Virginia property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in West Virginia has specific requirements, as laid out by the West Virginia 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 West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board provides extensive information on appraisers, including the work experience requirements. The West Virginia Secretary of State specifies the documentation requirements for an appraiser's work experience.

Become licensed to work in West Virginia assessors offices

West Virginia recognizes three categories of appraisers. A licensed residential appraiser can perform appraisals on residential property worth $1,000,000 or less and non-residential property valued at $250,000 or less. A certified residential appraiser can perform appraisals on all residential property and non-residential property valued at $250,000 or less. A certified general appraiser can perform appraisals on all types of property.

I recommend: Chapter 30 of West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information addresses the licensure of real estate appraisers in West Virginia. REcampus summarizes the pre-licensing and continuing education requirements for West Virginia appraisers.

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• •  West Virginia property assessors must meet the minimum certification and licensing requirements established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation. However, many states have more stringent licensing requirements than those required by the AQB. For example, a state may require an appraisal license for all appraisers regardless of the transaction value of the property.

West Virginia property assessments are handled by counties who bill and collect property taxes. Property owners pay their West Virginia property assessments to the sheriff in each of the 55 counties. The state constitution sets limits and each county and municipality imposes its own property tax rates.

There is a lot of information to aid your real estate investments at property appraiser offices in West Virginia, including records of property value, ownership changes for properties, property descriptions and up-to-date maps of property lines. Assessors also analyze the cost of building a new property, trends in property sales prices and the average expense for renting property. There are many ways that the information obtained through West Virginia property assessments is useful. Consider the following when dealing with assessors:

1. Research potential investment properties using information from property assessors' offices in West Virginia.

2. Compare WV assessor values with comparable properties to see if the assessment is fair.

3. Determine true market value.

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Know the ins and outs of how West Virginia property assessors operate

Property assessors' offices in West Virginia assess property according to its use, location and value July 1st of each year. The WV assessor reappraises property every three years and adjustments are made as properties change value.

I recommend: Bankrate.com explains how property assessments are completed; just click on the "Property" tab for more information. State Tax Central links you to the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue.

Use online records and tools to obtain WV property assessments

WV property assessments make it a whole lot easier to search through records because most post them in online databases. WV property records are public information and there are a number of free county databases, along with those you can subscribe to.

I recommend: Searchsystem.net allows you to get information from property assessors. It costs about $5 per month and is categorized by municipality. Skipease lists information about WV property assessments as well as links to property assessors' offices in West Virginia. LoopNet is a free WV property assessment search tool. Simply register by entering your contact information.

Determine your taxes based on similar WV property appraiser values

If you're buying an investment property that's similar to several others in the same vicinity, it's safe to assume that the WV property appraiser will assess your property at an amount close to what the neighbors will pay. Unless there are vast discrepancies in the condition, age or size of the building or lot, your taxes will be comparable.

I recommend: Use Assessor Links USA to access property tax information by county. The Monongalia County Assessor's Office helps you estimate your property taxes. The Cabell County Assessor Geographic Information System and Hampshire County's website contain parcels and map information.

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• •  If you can't find online property tax records, the WV assessors office is available over the phone or in person. Contact them to set up an appointment.

Property assessments determine how much property owners, whether on a personal or business level, owe in property taxes each year. Assessments determine the value of specific property and then determine a tax amount based upon a formulated tax rate system. County assessors' offices are responsible for assessing property values and determining these tax rates.

Whether you want to work for a West Virginia assessor's office or simply want to better understand the assessment process for personal or business applications, there are a few key terms you should know.

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Property tax

Property tax is a tax typically paid on an annual basis that West Virginia counties place on residential and commercial real property (and sometimes personal property) in order to obtain revenue for municipalities.

I recommend: The Property Tax Division of the West Virginia State Tax Department provides more details on state property taxes.

Tax classes

Your West Virginia property tax form may have classifications listed on it, determining the category of your property. Some classes are for machinery, while others are for residential or commercial properties.

I recommend: Visit the Mineral County Assessor's website for more information on tax classes.

Appeal

A property owner is entitled to an appeal If he or she disagrees with the assessed value of his or her property, . In order for an appeal to meet approval, the property owner must meet a number of requirements, including the filing of several state and local government forms.

I recommend: The Marion County Assessor's Office has more information on the appeals process.

Form STC 12:32C

This is the blue form for business property in West Virginia. Also known as the Commercial Business Property Return, you must file this document no later than July 1 of each year.

I recommend: The Marion County and Jackson County assessors' offices (under "Businesses") provide detailed instructions for filling out Form STC 12:32C.

Homestead Exemption Credit

The Homestead Exemption Credit provides senior citizens (over the age of 65) or those individuals who are permanently disabled a tax credit on the first $20,000 of assessed value of their property.

I recommend: Access the Putnam County Assessor's website for more information on the Homestead Exemption.

GIS

GIS stands for a geographical information system. This system captures geographical reference information for management and analysis of data. West Virginia county assessor's offices utilize the GIS system for real property data on their website databases.

I recommend: Click on "Real Estate" on the Jackson County Assessor's Office website for more information on GIS.