How New Hanover County residents can appeal their new property valuations

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County residents are getting their property valuations in the mail and many are not happy as a higher valuation means higher taxes to pay.

However, some residents have already begun appealing the valuation they received through the county’s tax department website.

The county reassesses property values every 4 years and this cycle brought significant increases.

County Commissioner Dane Scalise told WWAY that property values have risen by an average of nearly 60% across the county.

Wilmington resident Kenny Woodruff said his new valuation is drastically different from the bank’s assessment.

“This year, the one that I got said it was, I believe around 750 so $750,000,” Woodruff said. “But like I said, the line of credit I think had it around 500, $600,000.”

If homeowners believe their valuation is incorrect, they can file an appeal through the county’s tax department website.

There are several reasons the county will allow an appeal to be submitted, including incorrect information about the property, comparable sales in the same area, and recent construction.

Chris Boney is the assistant tax administrator for New Hanover County.

He said the county encourages residents to appeal.

“We announced that the new values were actually available online and we have, since that point, told folks that we recommend that if you disagree with your value, absolutely appeal,” Boney said. “We want people to appeal, because that helps us to make sure that we have done our job correctly.”

But Boney clarified that you can not appeal based solely on the percentage increase in property value.

“If you’re saying my neighbor had a 59 percent increase and I had a 60 percent increase, I feel like I should be a 59 percent increase. Unfortunately, that is not a valid appeal, it’s based on a market value of the property.”

Woodruff said he has appealed in the past but the valuation wasn’t changed.

“So I’ve had the same house for almost 10 years and the last time they did it, I did appeal and it didn’t really go anywhere. They just said that they used the information of surrounding areas to determine what their tax value is.”

Boney said appeals have already been received by the county and responses will take several weeks to complete and be sent out.