Property taxes: Forsyth
Population: 187,928
2013 total value of residential property: $15.5 billion (+1.0%)
Median 2013 county residential appraisal: $178,200
Typical residential property undervalued by: 8%
2013 residential property appeals: 1,204
How the county stacks up: With its real estate market showing signs of life, Forsyth County this year raised residential property values a collective $147.1 million, or 1 percent. But that apparently wasn't enough to keep up with rising market values.
The AJC found the county’s typical residential appraisal was 8 percent below market value, as determined by sale prices in the first three months of this year.
Forsyth officials did not respond to requests for comment. But it’s clear its real estate market is rebounding. One measure: Foreclosure notices fell by nearly half through November of this year compared to the same period last year, according to Equity Depot.
Another indication the county’s assessments are more to homeowners’ liking: the number of residential property tax appeals fell by two-thirds this year to 1,204.
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
