Mr. Ali Challenges Property Valuation at Seacrest Landing Hearing

In a recent meeting of the Union County Board of Equalization and Review, a significant discussion unfolded regarding the property valuation of a new townhome in the Seacrest Landing community. The meeting, held on July 31, 2025, provided a platform for property owner Mr. Ali to voice his concerns about what he deemed an unfair appraisal of his home.

Mr. Ali, presenting for the first time, expressed his confusion over the valuation process, particularly regarding the square footage discrepancies of his property compared to similar homes in the area. He highlighted that his townhome, completed in July 2024, was appraised at $33,600, a figure he argued was significantly lower than its market value of $328,000. He pointed out that the appraisal did not account for the differences in lot sizes and home designs within the Seacrest Landing community, where homes vary in size and land area.

The board listened as Mr. Ali detailed the various models available in the neighborhood, emphasizing that the appraisal process seemed to group all properties together without considering their unique characteristics. He argued that this approach led to an inaccurate representation of his home’s value, particularly when compared to other properties in the vicinity that had larger lots and higher appraised values.

County representative Ms. Wiggins responded by explaining that the appraisal was based on comparable sales within the community, asserting that the county's valuation was consistent with recent sales data. She noted that the county had verified the square footage of Mr. Ali's home and found it to be slightly larger than what he had claimed. The county maintained that the valuation process was fair, as it relied on sales data from identical models within the same development.

As the discussion progressed, Mr. Ali reiterated his concerns about the appraisal method, suggesting that it unfairly penalized homeowners with smaller lots. He called for a more individualized approach to property valuation, arguing that the current system did not accurately reflect the market realities of the Seacrest Landing community.

The meeting concluded with the board acknowledging Mr. Ali's concerns but ultimately siding with the county's appraisal, emphasizing the importance of consistency in property evaluations within similar developments. As Union County continues to grow and develop, the discussions surrounding property valuation will likely remain a critical issue for homeowners seeking fair assessments of their investments.