Inspection: First, I inspect your property, looking of the "hidden" characteristics which will top me off to a strong abatement case. I’ve developed a checklist of items, which can frequently trigger an abatement.

Review Property Financial Data : Then I review the property’s rent roll and expenses which help to establish a market value. I know exactly which valuation date is preferable to use for this purpose. Interestingly, it is not the date the bill was mailed out! I know how to evaluate your property’s income and expenses, and why it can be vital to your case.

Check Assessor’s Records : Next I review the city and town’s "field card" and other municipal records on your property, and determine if there have been any incorrect assumptions made about your property in setting your assessment. I’ll find the weak spots in the field audit and evaluation, and uncover arbitrary and shoddy conclusions used in setting your assessment.

Research Comparable Sales & Rents : I the review every sale and every rental comparable which is available to me. I subscribe to multiple on-line data bases covering the entire state allowing me to review all the commercial property sales in your area. I also review numerous appraisals each year and call upon my numerous field contacts, such as real estate brokers, appraisers, and accountants to develop further information about the market in your area.

Prepare Town Valuation Models : I also review your valuation from at least tow different appraisals methods: value based on the property’s potential income; and value based on comparable sales. The assessor most likely used one of the se models to establish your property’s value. I’ve learned over the years which approach is the most favorable for each particular property type.

Explain Valuation To You : I then formulate my opinion of value and contact you immediately, giving you my opinion of your property’s value. If I determine that your property is over-assessed, I show you what it’s costing you in taxes. Of course, if you are fairly assessed, I’ll show you that too.

Prepare Your Application : If you are over-assessed, I’ll prepare an abatement application to the city of town on your behalf. I’ve filed over 1,000 of such applications in over 100 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Over the years, I’ve learned exactly what the assessor is looking for and needs in other to justify an abatement.

Contact Assessor : The final step is crucial. I contact the Assessor to set up a meeting to review your abatement application. This is my forte, and frequently results in a lower value negotiated with the assessor. I know the ropes, including the most advantageous time to contact the assessor; and how to negotiate and work with the assessor in a professional way. I’ve learned how to maximize the chances for an abatement without antagonizing the assessor. In fact, I believe that many assessors genuinely enjoy dealing with me, giving my cases a distinct advantage.