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

Through the homestead exemption definition, we understand the legal instrument that provides physical and financial shelter in dire situations. The homestead exemption legal provision can ...

Flaw in an otherwise proper title. A title obtained through error or fraud without proper signature or consideration or other improper action. A defective title is null and void having no ...

The ability to pay is a self-explanatory term used in Real Estate to determine if the Home Buyer has the financial health to honor a deal. Mortgage Lenders can't afford to lend out money ...

When we look at title policies, there are different types of coverages offered by title companies. Figuring out which one is the best option in your particular situation often depends on ...

Also called the Rule of the Sum of the Digits. An approach that bank use to formulate a loan amortization schedule. It results in a borrower paying more interest in the beginning of a ...

Also called trust deed. A document that conveys title to a neutral third party during the period in which the mortgage loan is outstanding as collateral for a debt. ...

Rental based on a percent of sales or profit that in addition to the constant rental amount. ...

Some plausible, but not completely clear-cut indication of ownership rights. It supplements a claim to title to property, but does not actually establish it. ...

The definition of trade-in in real estate refers to a swap of houses. The trade-in program gives a seller of a property the chance to find an ideal replacement home for their family while ...

Popular Real Estate Questions