The Union County Board of Equalization and Review convened on July 9, 2025, to address property valuation appeals, with a significant focus on a case involving the Hollyhock Revocable Living Trust. The meeting highlighted the complexities of property assessments in the context of local real estate trends.

During the session, property owner Yuri Careman presented his case, arguing that the county's assessed value of his home at $820,000 was excessively high compared to comparable properties in the area. Careman emphasized discrepancies in the assessed price per square foot, noting that while his home was appraised at $331 per square foot, the highest comparable properties were valued at $298 per square foot. He contended that the county's assessment did not accurately reflect the market conditions, particularly given that the average price per square foot in Union County was around $223.

Careman also pointed out that the county's analysis included properties outside the Weddington High School District, which he argued should not have been considered in the assessment. He maintained that his home’s value should be closer to $754,000 based on recent sales of similar properties, rather than the county's valuation.

In response, county representatives defended their assessment methodology, stating that they had used comparable properties from the same neighborhood and made adjustments for square footage differences. They acknowledged the challenges in finding similar properties but maintained that their valuation of $820,000 was justified based on their analysis.

The board members engaged in discussions about the valuation process, questioning the rationale behind the adjustments made to the comparable properties. Concerns were raised about the fairness of assessing smaller homes at similar values to larger ones, highlighting the ongoing debate over property valuation standards in the county.

As the meeting concluded, the board indicated that they would take all presented information into consideration before making a final decision on the appeal. The outcome of this case could have implications for future property assessments in Union County, as residents continue to navigate the complexities of the local real estate market.