Revaluation Appeals Pouring Into Wake Offices

County assessors recalculated the value of about 325,000 homes, businesses and parcels of undeveloped land as part of the revaluation that takes place every eight years. When notices were sent out last month, they showed the average property value jumped 43 percent from 2000 levels.

"We're running out of land that can be developed . As the volume of land shrinks, the value goes up," Wake County Revenue Director Emmett Curl said.

Properties inside the Interstate 440 Beltline showed the most appreciation, with average values jumping by 73 percent. Undeveloped land also saw assessed values soar.

All appeals of the revaluation must be received at county offices by Tuesday – offices will be closed that day for the New Year's holiday – and they need to include detailed reasoning for disagreeing with the assessment.

"We need some information issues – maintenance issues that needs to be done. Document that in either written form or pictures," Curl said.

At the same time, Revenue Department staff members are handling annual property tax payments, which are due Jan. 5.

"It is the busiest time of year," Curl said. "We freeze vacations during the next two weeks for our employees."