Assessment Matters by Valuebase.ai

By Will Jarvis

Assessment Matters presented by Valuebase is a weekly show that delves into the world of real estate valuation and property assessment. Our expert guests share their insights on the latest trends and ... more

· Technology

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FAQs about Assessment Matters by Valuebase.ai:

How many episodes does Assessment Matters by Valuebase.ai have?

The podcast currently has 73 episodes available.

Assessment Matters by Valuebase.ai episodes:

January 11, 202433: Alex Alsup – Land Parcel Data with Regrid
In this episode, we're joined by Alex Alsup, Vice President of Research & Development at Regrid. We talk about the Detroit foreclosure crisis, Regrid’s work in collecting land parcel data, as well as transparency and accessibility in assessment.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Alex’s bio and big ideas 00:35
Alex’s experience in parcel mapping, data collection, and tackling the Detroit property tax foreclosure crisis

How does land use and land taxation make housing so unaffordable in the US?

What caused the Detroit property tax foreclosure crisis? 5:13
Lack of consistent reassessment

Difficult to navigate bureaucratic poverty relief programs

Differences in homeowner vs renter experiences

Perverse incentives featuring speculative and delinquent landlords

What does the process look like to collect parcel data? 8:44
Maximizing freshness, coverage, and depth of parcel data

Incremental progress over a decade with regular updates

Data sources

What Regrid did differently from past parcel data collection 12:01
Specific focus on parcel boundaries and shapes

Broadening access to historically obscure and idiosyncratic knowledge

Current R&D projects and interests: the Detroit Assessment Gauge 13:31
comparing assessed values to US Census tract

Helping improve transparency and public trust

Providing the public with the technical language for assessments

How to see more of Regrid 17:42
Regrid's website

Promoting data access via Data With Purpose:
...more
20min
January 03, 202432: Daryl Fairweather – Property Taxes, Housing Affordability, and the American Housing Market
In this episode, we're joined by Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin. We talk about the importance of property/land taxation, the current state of the American housing market, as well as necessary reforms for housing abundance and affordability.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Daryl’s bio and big ideas 00:35
Daryl’s experience in behavioral and housing/land economics

How does land use and land taxation make housing so unaffordable in the US?

How does property tax policy affect housing? 1:52
Taxes matter a lot, especially in states such as California

Restrictive zoning and Prop 13 (property tax caps) make housing less affordable

Development is penalized by property taxation that includes improvements

Same flaws with zoning and property tax regimes observed all over the US

The state of the US housing market 5:24
Housing shortage and affordability crisis started well before the COVID-19 pandemic

Interest (and mortgage) rates plus pandemic migration patterns

Regional variations in the US

Is it a good time to buy a home?

What are the changes needed to make housing more affordable? 10:36
Eliminate single-unit and other restrictive zoning

Land value tax policy

Get ahead of the issue in states that are not as far gone as places like California

How to contact Daryl 12:12
Substack: https://hatethegame.substack.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FairweatherPhD
...more
14min
December 28, 202331: Marco Kuijper - Overseeing Property Assessment in the Netherlands
In this episode, we're joined by Marco Kuijper, Strategy Developer at The Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment. We talk about the role of oversight agencies in Netherlands property taxation, the growth of AI, as well as new trends in the assessment field.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Marco’s bio and big ideas 00:35
Marco’s background in auditing and assessment oversight

What will AI do to the assessment industry?

Will taxpayers trust the results of AI valuation models?

What effect will AI have on the industry in the short term? 3:00
The Dutch property tax, assessment, and appeals system

More AI model usage for evaluations

AI used both by taxpayers for appeals, as well as by municipalities in response

Collecting geographic data with AI 4:39
Detecting houses and maintenance level from imagery

LLM: useful for back office tasks

Modeling in the Netherlands 5:59
Some use AVM, others use clustering techniques (comparatively old-fashioned)

Gradual move towards machine models is expected — AI already exists in other parts of daily life

Tolerance studies of the oversight agency 8:02
Same ranges used as the IAAO Standard on Ratio Studies (COD/PRD 10-15%)

Agency practice — not a part of legal standard

Comply/explain principle

Decentralized system — more education needed from the top

Netherland property taxation in the next ten years 10:31
Shifting more towards municipal taxation

Land Value Tax proposed — good in theory, but must overcome various practical challenges and constraints

Advice to newcomers 13:04
Be adaptable to change

Learn best practices from other countries and jurisdictions

How to contact Marco 14:50
[email protected]
...more
16min
December 20, 202330: Paul Sanderson - Optimal Property Taxation and the Land Value Tax
In this episode, we're joined by Paul Sanderson, President of the International Property Tax Institute (IPTI). We talk about optimal property taxation and best practices, theoretical vs practical challenges in taxation and assessment, as well as the famous Land Value Tax.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Paul’s bio and big ideas 00:35
Paul’s background in assessment and valuation

What is IPTI? 2:05
Not-for-profit organization providing of advice, guidance, and training for everything property tax

Completely and strictly impartial

Meeting the education and advisory needs of a wide variety of stakeholders

Fundamental characteristics of a good property tax system 4:12
Key principles: Simplicity, Fairness, Consistency, Transparency

Most property tax systems are unnecessarily complicated

Second-order effects on compliance, media coverage, etc.

Ideal systems vs real-world challenges 10:45
Ideal world: getting rid of exemptions, abatements, appeals

Reality: various constituencies and special interests with exemptions and other favored tax treatments opposing ending said subsidies

Systems become more complex, opaque, and unfair

More on optimal property taxation: the Land Value Tax 16:53
Relevant literature: “Progress & Poverty” by Henry George

Economic case: minimizes distortions and development biases

Principle case: the value is generated not by the landowner but rather by society

“(Straightforward) land value tax” versus “land value capture”

Practical issues of valuation and assessment — determining “unimproved” land value in already highly improved/developed areas

Example: the strengths and limits of Australia’s state land tax

Property tax systems around the world 25:58
IPTI-COST Scorecard

Many different relevant metrics for comparison, based on key principles

https://www.ipti.org/press-release-ipti-cost-scorecard

Finding more about IPTI 28:51
https://www.ipti.org
...more
31min
December 13, 202329: Kevin Prine - Recruiting the Next Generation of Assessors in Suffolk, Virginia
In this episode, we're joined by Kevin Prine, Deputy City Assessor in Suffolk, Virginia. We talk about valuation methodology in Suffolk, recruiting new talent, as well as other new trends in the assessment field.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Kevin’s background and big ideas 00:35
Matt’s experience in fee appraisal and assessment

Recruiting a new wave of appraisers and assessors

Transitioning from the private to the public sector 2:05
Drastic similarities vs drastic differences

Be open-minded, flexible, and willing to learn

IAAO courses are useful

Valuation methodology in Suffolk 4:23
Adjustments based on sales, including using regional data

Residential vs commercial

Kevin’s career progression 5:55

Getting more people interested in assessment 7:19
The current wave of widespread retiring, and the potential loss of knowledge

Being more involved in recruitment at colleges/universities

Better job of promotion and advertisement — best done by actual assessors

Beyond the retirement wave — big trends in the field 9:57
Rapid evolution of technology

The fee appraisal industry vs the rise of AVM

Advice for newcomers 12:12
Be willing to step out of your comfort zone

Network as much as possible

How to reach Kevin 13:42
[email protected]

Office line: +1 (757) 514-7498
...more
15min
November 29, 202328: Matt Woolford - Data Standardization and Assessment Practices in Michigan
In this episode, we're joined by Matt Woolford, Equalization Director at the Allegan County Government in Michigan. We talk about data standardization and assessment practices in Michigan, “Zillowification”, and new trends in the assessment field.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Matt’s background and big ideas 00:23
Matt’s experience in government, equalization and assessment

Allegan County: a growing agricultural community

Proposition A (1995) in Michigan 2:53

Standardizing data in CAMA systems across Michigan county governments 5:15
“Zillow Talk” and Zestimates: how AI and other data-driven innovations are changing the industry

Ensuring methods of data collection and analysis are authoritative and credible

State has recommended standards — needs more adoption

Valuation methodology in Michigan 8:31
Establishing “true cash value”

Cost, income (best-use), and sales-comparison approaches all used

Cost approach challenges: lack of comprehensive data

Land valuation: vacant land sales vs abstraction methods

Michigan’s requirements and metrics for equalization assessment 12:41
COD and PRD, vertical and horizontal equity

State audit process once every 5 years

Equity becoming more important in the future with growing geospatial and statistical proficiency among assessors

Advice for newcomers 15:36
Understand the importance of good data

Be aware of emerging technologies

Better data, better models, better skills in the age of “Zillowification”

How to reach Matt 17:27
[email protected]
...more
19min
November 15, 202327: Christie Wright & Cy Bailey - Assessment and Reappraisal in Vermont
In this episode, we're joined by Field Director Christie Wright and Senior Property Assessor Cy Bailey at the Property Valuation and Review division in the State of Vermont. We talk about Vermont’s assessment and reappraisal processes, getting caught up on best practices, as well as other new trends in the assessment field:
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Background and big ideas 00:23
Christie and Cy’s backgrounds in property evaluation and assessment, data collection, and fee appraisal

Core duties of the oversight agency in Vermont 2:01
Administering split tax codes

Guiding and overseeing elected listors (assessors)

Setting parameters and ensuring compliance

Equalization tolerance

Getting newcomers up to speed 5:34
Not a quick fix — three years minimum for proficiency

Evaluation methodology 7:06
Sales vs market-adjusted costs

What is the most difficult thing to teach? 8:15
Technology and equity metrics

Market swings since COVID-19 10:22

Technology and assessment in Vermont 11:04
Labor-saving inspection technology (e.g. EagleView, Pictometry)

Landscape-specific challenges (e.g. foliage)

Getting caught up on GIS and mapping

Education and training opportunities for assessors in Vermont 14:55
Advisors for direct contact

Grant money to pay tuition and expenses for classes and certification (e.g. from IAAO)

What does Vermont do well? 17:21
User-friendly appeals process

New trends and changes in Vermont 20:12
Legislative changes: Act 68

More consistent assessment and reappraisal

Advice for newcomers 22:48
Learning by doing: being involved in the beginning to the end of a full reappraisal process

How to reach Christie and Cy
[email protected]

[email protected]
...more
26min
November 08, 202326: James Aros Jr. - Careers and Assessments in Philadelphia
In this episode, we're joined by Chief Assessment Officer James Aros Jr. from the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment to talk about Philadelphia’s valuation methodology, technological advancements, as well as making one’s career in the assessment industry.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

James’ background in real estate and assessment 00:35

How has the industry changed over the past two decades? 1:38
Modernization via technology

Assessment becoming less of an “accidental profession”

Selecting talent 4:34
The right candidate can be molded and trained

COVID-era real estate values and market movements 6:33
Post-COVID normalization

Philadelphia’s valuation methodology 8:44
Sales vs income vs cost

Residential vs commercial models

Determining land values for cost approaches 10:12
Difficulties in areas with sporadic and irregular sales (and therefore data)

The industry’s direction in the next ten years 11:19
Uncertainties regarding Machine Learning and AI

Leveraging the power of technological advancement

More frequent assessments

Advice for newcomers 12:58
Take—or make—every chance to learn as much as possible
...more
16min
October 31, 202325: Daniel Anderson - Mobile Assessor and the Power of Technology
In this episode, we're joined by Daniel Anderson, Founder and Principal Owner of Data Cloud Solutions, a Woolpert Company. We talk about flagship product Mobile Assessor, the power of productivity-enhancing technology, as well as other new trends in the assessment field.
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Daniel’s background in assessment and computer science 00:35
The invention of Mobile Assessor and its later wider adoption

How technology such as the iPad changed the industry

Traveling a lot for work while growing a software company

Flagship product: Mobile Assessor 6:25
A synchronization service that can attach to any database

Increasing productivity by increasing efficiency of data entry

Route optimization — solving the “traveling salesman problem”

Being able to adjust to dynamic conditions and changing priorities

Machine Learning (ML) and AI — the next step? 13:04
Extracting information from imagery to better utilize assessor time

Recent growth in research and technology in ML and AI

Error recognition vs change detection

Advice to newcomers 17:04
Being open to change in both technology and operating procedure

Supporting open data standards to support innovation and competition

How to reach Daniel 19:55
https://woolpert.com/products/dcs-a-woolpert-company/

[email protected]
...more
22min
October 24, 202324: Lloyd Funk - Assessment Practices in Manitoba, Canada
In this episode, we're joined by Director of Property Assessment Services Lloyd Funk in Manitoba, Canada, to talk about embracing new best practices, building trust with the public, as well as other new trends in the assessment field:
We cover:
Introduction to Assessment Matters podcast 00:00

Lloyd background 00:35

Tight labor markets and hiring in the industry 1:48

Tech trends 2:33
Tablet software instead of paper

Using data science and AI

Assessment in Manitoba 3:53
The diverse geography of the province

Full market value assessment and details

Challenges for specific

Strengths and/or special challenges in Manitoba 7:03
Messaging to taxpayers 7:47

The importance of fairness, confidence, and professionalism

Getting new staff up to speed 9:15

Evaluating talent 10:27

Industry trends 11:18
AI and advanced data visualization (Power BI)

Increasing transparency and trust with the public
Advice to newcomers 12:11
Embracing change and innovation
...more
14min

FAQs about Assessment Matters by Valuebase.ai:

How many episodes does Assessment Matters by Valuebase.ai have?

The podcast currently has 73 episodes available.