Appraisers, assessors lack common sense

After meeting with the representatives of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisals and a member of the Augusta County assessment board, I’ve now realized how far from reality I really am.

I presented what I thought were good reasons why my lot in the Riverside Heights subdivision shouldn’t appreciate by 72.5 percent since the 2005 appraisal. I was amazed to find out that any “building” lot in Augusta County, from a tenth of an acre to a one-acre parcel was worth $50,000, regardless of location.

I would have been better off making my case to a solid brick wall! Anyone with an appointment to have a hearing about their new assessment amount would be better off saving the time and gas to attend a meeting, as the minds of appraisers and assessors are already made up. I do think their reasoning and logic are more tied to getting Blue Ridge Mass Appraisals paid for their services than using good common sense.

Maybe someone should ask Bath County why their appraisals were thrown out and disregarded.

Leonard Tolley
Verona