New condo buyer disputes $209,900 appraisal for Overlook Avenue unit, cites highway noise and higher condo fees

A newly purchased condo owner asked the Board of Assessment Appeals on March 5 to reconsider the town’s appraisal of her unit at 32 Overlook Avenue, saying the highway-facing location, recent increases in condominium common charges and the unit’s condition at purchase justify a lower valuation.

The case: The town lists the unit at an appraised value of $209,900 (assessed at 70% of that). The owner said she bought the unit recently, did not have time to shop other options and discovered problems — stains in the common-area carpet and pet-related debris inside the unit — that required cleaning and some repairs. She also said the HOA assessment increased shortly after closing, raising her carrying costs.

Assessor and board discussion: Board members noted condo valuations rely on sales in the same complex and that a nearby unit sold in 2023 for about $245,000; because the appeals board and assessor must use sold comparables from the valuation base period for this grand list, there were limited contemporaneous condo sales from 2020 to use as direct comparables. Staff said the assessor will check how units facing the highway are coded relative to other units in the complex and can generate the property card history for review.

Owner next steps and board guidance: Staff advised the owner to provide any purchase documentation, photos of condition at sale, HOA notices documenting the fee increase and any other proof of reduced usability (for example, the unit’s orientation to the highway). The board asked that any evidence be emailed to the assessor and that staff circulate it to the board ahead of deliberation.

Ending: The board will review any submitted evidence and deliberate; a written decision will follow.