Board upholds assessor’s value for Denali Estates condominium after owner disputes sale price on notice

Carolyn C. Gregory appealed her 2025 assessed value for Unit 303, Denali Estates condominiums (15 Farewell Avenue), telling the board she bought the unit in May 2024 for $170,000 and that closing paperwork supplied to the assessor incorrectly reported $175,000. Gregory said the unit needed significant repairs at purchase and sought a reduced assessed value; she told the board she had not done major improvements since the purchase other than a replacement sliding glass door.

Assessor appraiser Matt Casort presented the borough’s direct-sales valuation for the development, showing three recent reported condominium sales in Denali Estates and a steady uptick in condo prices since 2020. Casort said his database and a 95% factor produced a 2025 assessed improvement value of $165,023 for Unit 303. He also inspected the unit after the packet was published and said its condition matched the other sale photos used in his analysis and that the assessor’s value is in line with local condo sales.

Board members questioned whether the sale paperwork and any included personal property (the appellant said the sale included roughly $2,500 in furniture) had been submitted to the assessor. Casort said assessors use the lower reported sales price when there are discrepancies and that condominiums in Denali Estates were revalued as a development for 2025, producing uniform assessed values across the complex.

After deliberation the board voted to uphold the assessor’s 2025 valuation of $165,023 (motion by Mr. Daczynski; vote with majority in favor). The board agreed the appellant had not carried the burden of proof to show the assessment was excessive or improper; written findings and conclusions were to be issued and mailed to the parties.

Ending The board instructed the clerk to mail written findings and conclusions to both the appellant and the assessor; the assessor will keep the $165,023 assessment on the 2025 roll.