Brandon Twp.- Residents hoping to get some relief on the assessed value of their home can appeal to the Board of Review during a hearing next week.
The board, consisting of three township residents who have taken classes regarding assessments, will hear cases by appointment only on March 9, 10 and 16. The March 9 and 10 dates are full, but appointments are available from noon-6 p.m. on March 16. Call the township offices at 248-627-4918 to schedule an appeal.
Deputy Supervisor Mary Kassuba said she was concerned this year about the number of appeals that would be sought with falling home values during the current economic downturn, but said the office has received about the average number of residents calling for a review.
Residents appealing to the Board of Review bear the burden of proving their home has been assessed too high. To prove their case, residents may bring an appraisal done primarily for the Board of Review. A one-year sales study conducted by Oakland County is also available at the township office. The study compares sales of homes in the township from September 2007 to October 2008. Typically, foreclosures are not included for comparison purposes, due to varying conditions of the homes.
Township Assessor Kim Feigley said a successful appeal depends on what evidence is brought in that the home is overassessed.
‘It’s an appeal hearing, so the more evidence they have, the more tools they give the Board of Review to work with,? she said. ‘The biggest problem the Board of Review sees is residents who say their taxes are too high and give the board nothing to work with in regards to the value of their property. It’s not about appealing the tax bill, it’s about the value of their home and property.?
A poverty exemption application for relief based on low income is also available.