Chantilly Sees Average Home Values Increase

The average value of a home in Chantilly as of Jan. 1 is $405,494, an increase of 3.8 percent from $390,658, according to Fairfax County, which is above the average 3.13 percent increase in the county. The average value of a home in Chantilly is less than the $550,509 average value of most single famiy detached homes in the county.

Assessed values determine how much the county collects in property taxes.

The county cautions homeowners against assuming that any percentages reported have been applied to any individual assessment. The percentages are only shown as a measure of the change in average value for a large group of properties from one year to the next.  

If you have not received your assessment in the mail, you can find it online.

The Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) began mailing 352,234 real estate assessment notices Monday to county taxpayers. The notices will be sent to all property owners of taxable parcels in the county. Of the 352,234 taxable parcels, 276,121 saw some value change. The remaining taxable parcels have no change in their 2013 real estate assessment.

What makes the assessed value of properties change? The county says there are a variety of reasons:

• appreciation and value declines (i.e., equalization changes)
• structural changes (additions, remodeling)
• rezonings
• land divisions (i.e., growth)
• a combination of these factors can apply to the same property

The area of the county that saw the sharpest increase in assessed value was Herndon, with a 5.23 percent increase from $406,571 to $428,013. The area of the county that saw the least increase was Clifton, with 1.62 percent, going from an average home value of $609,373 to $619,250.

Once you receive your assessment in the mail:

Inquiries concerning any assessment should be directed to the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) at 703-222-8234; or, citizens may contact the Tax Department through DTA's homepage: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta. Citizens can obtain a list of residential sales within each assessment neighborhood from the DTA website. This is a continuing customer service initiative intended to help citizens review their assessment for 2013. Citizens are encouraged to call DTA at 703-222-8234 to discuss their assessment questions with appraisal staff. 

Property owners are encouraged to review their assessment notice upon receipt. Administrative appeals can be filed with DTA if citizens believe their assessment is not equitable in comparison with similar properties or if they believe their assessment exceeds fair market value. Appeals may be made in writing to the Real Estate Division of DTA. Citizens may appeal their residential assessment online through DTA’s homepage,  www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/real-estate-assessments.htm. Appeal applications can also still be obtained by calling DTA; or, can be downloaded directly from DTA’s homepage. DTA requests that appeal applications be filed by April 5, 2013.

Real Estate appeals can also be filed with the Board of Equalization (BOE). Under State law, the BOE is separate from the DTA and consists of nine taxpayers appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The BOE conducts formal hearings and takes sworn testimony. By law, all appeals to the BOE must be filed and postmarked by June 3, 2013. BOE appeal forms are also available on the BOE website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boe/ , or by calling the BOE office at 703-324-4891. 

Property owners are encouraged to contact DTA concerning assessment disputes; however, property owners may appeal directly to the BOE or to the Circuit Court of Fairfax County.