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Board reduces assessment for below‑grade condo at 1108 North Stafford to prior year level
Summary
The board reduced the 2026 assessed value for a bottom‑level, partially below‑grade unit at 1108 North Stafford to last year’s figure of $621,700 after the appellant argued the unit is functionally obsolete and county staff applied an 8% original‑condition adjustment.
The Arlington County Board of Equalization voted on May 26 to reduce the 2026 assessed value for 1108 North Stafford Street — a bottom‑level, partially below‑grade 'piggyback' condominium unit — back to last year’s assessment of $621,700.
Appellant Nick told the board the unit was built in 1980, remains in original condition and is partially below grade with minimal windows; he said county comparables offered in the staff packet were superior, above‑grade units with substantial renovations and that there were no true like‑for‑like sales.
County staff explained the subject had been given a negative 8% relative desirability factor (RDF) for original condition units following a 2023 study of older condos; staff cited multiple sales in similar townhouse/piggyback neighborhoods and recommended confirming a 2026 assessment of $648,200. The county said that comparison unit 1122 North Taylor Street (which also had an 8% RDF) sold for $640,000.
Board members concluded the subject’s below‑grade condition and lack of comparable sales supported reducing the assessment to last year’s level; the motion to return the assessment to $621,700 (the 2025 assessment) passed unanimously.
The board noted this reduction applied for the 2026 tax year; staff should continue to track comparable sales and the effect of original‑condition adjustments for future cycles.
