TO: BUENA VISTA COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS
Buena Vista County Assessor, Joe Cronin, is announcing the reappraisal of all Residential, Ag Dwelling, Commercial, and Industrial properties in Buena Vista County. The Buena Vista County Conference Board approved a contract to complete this work with Vanguard Appraisals of Cedar Rapids in February of 2021. This project will determine values for the 1-1-2026 assessment year. The last door-to-door reappraisal in Buena Vista County was done for 1-1-2009 Residential values and 1-1-2011 Commercial values. The Iowa Department of Revenue recommends having a complete revaluation every 10 years. The goal of the project is to fairly value each property in relation to all the other properties within each classification, adjusted to current market conditions.
Periodic inspections and reappraisals of properties are necessary since all properties do not increase or decrease in value at the same rate. Some properties physically deteriorate faster than others, and in many instances, similar buildings located in different areas of the county may differ in value due to economic factors and market fluctuations. Accuracy of data helps to establish equitable assessments as close as possible to potential market value.
On February 26, 2024, data collectors from Vanguard Appraisals, Inc will begin the process of visiting each property in Buena Vista County to collect both exterior and interior information. Each Vanguard employee has had a full background check and will have a photo ID identifying them as such. All law enforcement agencies will be aware of Vanguard employees’ names, auto license numbers, and activities within Buena Vista County. Data collectors’ names and photos can be accessed on the county website at https://buenavistacounty.iowa.gov/departments/assessor/
When visiting your property, data collectors will review/collect exterior information such as measurements, type of construction, age of structure(s) and physical condition, as well as interior construction/condition and type/amount of finish. A complete sales analysis and a study of local construction costs and economic conditions will also be used in addition to the data from the collector’s inspection to arrive at a value. No estimate of value will be given at the time of inspection. Completion of this project is expected to be January 15, 2026, with notices of estimated market value to be sent after January 15, 2026, and before April 1, 2026, with options for appeal should you feel that the value is incorrect. New assessed values will be effective January 1, 2026, for taxes payable Fall 2027-Spring 2028.
With the volume of properties that will be inspected, it is not possible to know when data collectors will be visiting a property. Property owners are encouraged to cooperate with data collectors by allowing an interior inspection of the property, since this will help to arrive at a fair, equitable, and correct assessment of your property. We understand this could cause privacy concerns for some. Data collectors visit hundreds of properties and are not interested in personal property. Lack of assistance on the part of the property owner will not stop a new value from being estimated, but may cause it to be less precise. Additionally, accurate, up to date information minimizes the chances an appeal will be needed after new assessed values are established. If your property has tenants, please advise them of this project and communicate with them the importance of cooperating with the data collectors.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the reappraisal project, please contact the Buena Vista County Assessor’s Office at the number or email address shown below or visit the Assessor’s page on the Buena Vista County website at https://buenavistacounty.iowa.gov/departments/assessor/ to find additional information about the Assessor’s Office and the assessment process.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Phone: 712-749-2543
E-Mail:assessors@bvcountyiowa.com