Reassessment
Reassessments in Orange County are performed according to Code of Virginia § 58.1-3252.
Recently, Orange County began conducting its 2020 Reassessment of real estate. In accordance with the Code of Virginia, this reassessment requires all real estate in the County be assessed at 100% of fair market value. Current sales information will be compared and reviewed throughout the reassessment process to arrive at the fair and equitable market value for residential, commercial, industrial, and exempt properties.
Over the coming months, a team of experienced data collectors, called appraisers, from the County's reassessment firm (Wampler-Eanes Appraisal Group, Ltd.) will be visiting every property to gather the necessary information to complete the reassessment. They understand that in many cases the homeowner will not be home at the time of the visit. In these cases, the appraiser will leave a yellow door hanger card. The purpose for the visit and the reassessment phone number will be listed on the door hanger card. When someone is home, the appraiser will ask general questions about the property. For example: When was the house built? What is the heating source? Does the basement have any finish? Each property will receive a walk around inspection, checking measurements and noting any physical changes or improvements to the property. The overall goal of the reassessment team is to inspect the exterior of each home or business. Local law enforcement and the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office have each appraiser's photo and vehicle description on record for reference.
Following the data collection and property visits, a new value will be established for each property effective on January 1, 2020 It will replace the property's current value. Notices of this change will be mailed to every property owner in Orange County between October and November, 2019. In the event of a disagreement over the reassessment, property owners will have three (3) different appeal processes to dispute the new proposed value: Reassessment Appeal, Board of Equalization Appeal, and Court Appeal.
Please contact the Orange Reassessment Office at (540) 672-6173 with questions.