Definition of "Assessment Sales Ratio"

The assessment sales ratio is a way of measuring the accuracy of a property’s assessed value when compared to the property’s selling price. This measurement gives the municipalities an analysis of how real estate is assessed in relation to how it is sold. It is a measurement that helps municipalities better organize the distribution of public funds to improve the community. 

Why are Assessment Sales ratios important?

The assessment sales ratio is used to make sure the assessments are as accurate as possible to the fair market value of the properties in a city. The reason why this process is so important for municipalities is because taxes are established by assessment ratios. If the assessment values aren’t similar to the market values, then taxes aren’t calculated properly for those properties. And taxes are also the generator of school fundings and other public funds spent in those neighborhoods.

Municipalities have assessors that are responsible for correctly assessing the value of a property. These homes are usually assessed every year, but there are taxing authorities that only do them every five years. An assessment is done by taking into account the property itself as well as other properties surrounding it. These assessments are done to determine a median assessment sales ratio in an area of a city or for the entire city (with metro-areas there are subclasses analyzed). Every house in the area surveyed is assessed, then the assessment to sales ratio is calculated for each house to determine the median ASR in an area.

This assessment to sale ratio also helps municipalities determine the coefficient of dispersion, which is a way to measure the variations of individual ratios to the mean ratio in an area. It is used to understand the consistency or interchangeability of the assessed value of the real estate in an area or neighborhood.

How is the Assessment Sales Ratio (ASR) Calculated?

The selling price of a property is divided by its assessed value. If the real estate has a selling price of $400,000 but its assessed value is 438,000, the ratio is 1.053. An assessment sales ratio below 1 shows that the property has been assessed below the market value. If the ASR is above 1 then the property has been assessed above the market value.

The formula to calculate the ASR:

Assessment to Sales Ratio = Assessed Value of the Property / Selling Value of the Property.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

To obtain the right through authorization to act as a legal representative and agent for another. ...

Direct line of descent as from father to son. An example of a lineal hereditament would be passing of the title of real property by virtue of a will to the first-born son. ...

An individual for whom a court has awarded a financial judgment against a debtor. For example, a court award makes Smith a judgment creditor against Cole for $2,000. ...

Methods of materials used in designing and fabricating a building. ...

(1) Mildly convex arch built into a load bearing beam, girder, or truss to counteract any load bearing stress placed on it. (2) Slight slope designed into a structure such as a drive4way or ...

Situation in which a person guilty of breaking a contract is required by the judge to fulfill his duties. Specific performance is required only if the item or subject of the contract is ...

The geographic moving of an individual from one region to another usually because of a change in employment. Relocation normally involves the complete moving of the individual's ...

Accelerated method in which a fixed percentage factor of two times the straight-line rate is multiplied each year by the declining balance of the fixed assets book value. ...

Possession and use of a property estate by virtue of a lease. There are four types of leasehold estates: estate for years, periodic tenancy, tenancy at will, and tenant at sufferance. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions