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Tax office previews 2027 countywide revaluation; residents warn of out-of-county buyers driving values up
Summary
Tax administrator Chris outlined the mass-appraisal process for the Jan. 1, 2027 revaluation, noting staff will use sales across the market per state rules; residents raised concerns that nonlocal buyers could increase valuations and harm affordability.
Ashe County’s tax administrator told commissioners the county is one year away from a statutorily required countywide revaluation effective Jan. 1, 2027, and staff are conducting a mass-appraisal review of sales records to set uniform values.
"We look at all sales," Chris said, explaining that the office must qualify sales per state standards and exclude non–arm’s-length transactions such as business purchases of rental properties. He said roughly 400 residential sales were recorded in the prior year and the county has about 39,842 parcels overall.
Several residents said home purchases by out-of-county buyers and short-term rental investors are pricing local buyers out of the market. A resident asked whether the tax office can avoid using distant sales that inflate local market valuations; Chris replied that current state law requires use of qualifying sales across the market and the office has limited discretion beyond state guidelines.
Chris said reevaluation will be done in-house by three certified appraisers and that staff will present public-facing education and outreach over the next year to explain the methodology and timetable.
