Real Estate Appeals

From the Assessor’s Office: “In the Town of Wilton, Real Estate is currently assessed at seventy percent (70%) of market value as of October 1, 2023. In the State of Connecticut all municipalities are required to conduct a revaluation every five years. In between revaluations the date of valuation (October 1, 2023) will not change however assessments may still change for a variety of reasons. The most common reason for these assessment changes are due to work being done on a property or the discovery of data that was previously missing from the field card (finished basement, remodeled kitchen, etc.). When these data changes are updated they are still valued as of October 1, 2023 until the next town wide revaluation. The next scheduled revaluation is October 1, 2027.”

If you feel that your Real Estate property is over assessed you have the right to appeal this assessment at the next Board of Assessment Appeals’ March session. Below you will find suggestions on what supporting documentation may assist you in presenting a strong appeal. Please note that the burden of proof for a successful BOA Appeal lies with the property owner.

Standard Supporting Documentation

• Comparable Sales from October 1, 2022, to October 1, 2023. This is the period used in the last revaluation by the Assessor’s Office.
  • Assessor’s Database – E-Quality. To search for comparable sales and properties.
    • Notes:
      • When using comparable properties obtained from the data set, DO NOT select only favorable comparables. Please use ALL comparables resulting from the criteria used in your search.
      • Some sales are not considered usable in the appeal process as they do not depict true market values. Examples include: FORECLOSURES / SHORT SALES / DISTRESSED SALES / ESTATE SALES / ETC.
• Field Cards are required of all comparables. These can be obtained by using the following website: https://www.propertyrecordcards.com/SearchMaster.aspx?towncode=161
• Property Maps from Town of Wilton Map Site: https://terrenogis.com/?viewer=cama/wiltonct (if applicable)
• Photos (if applicable)

Appeals pertaining to Wetlands & Topographical

Many of the Town’s properties contain streams, marshy areas, uneven terrain, etc. Most land value in your appraisal is based on the simple ability to build a home on a 1- or 2-acre lot in Wilton. Benefit is inferred with having a 1- or 2-acre parcel of land in our town. Additional, but not substantial, value is added for excess land above the minimal lot size.

The above stated, excess wetlands on a property can provide a limitation that can adversely impact market value. If you have evidence of denial of property use due to the wetlands or topographical challenges (e.g. Town declined ability to build pool, etc.), such may be useful to your appeal.

If you are bringing a claim based on wetlands, the BAA suggests that your supporting documentation include:

• The GIS Map from:  https://terrenogis.com/?viewer=cama/wiltonct
• The detailed map denoting your flagged wetland or topically challenged area, which can possibly be obtained from the Wilton Environmental Affairs Department (Please note that this information will only be available if you, or a previous property owner has submitted it to the Wilton Environmental Affairs Department for the permitting purposes.)
• Evidence of denial of use of property due to the wetlands or other such property quality.