Understanding Property Reappraisal Field Visits in the City of Novi

Michigan law requires that all property be assessed at approximately 50% of its true cash (market) value. To meet this requirement, assessors must regularly review and update property records to reflect current market conditions and ensure equity among similar properties.

Reappraisals help to:

• Ensure fair and uniform assessments across similar properties
• Maintain accurate property records
• Account for new construction, additions, and demolitions
• Keep assessments in compliance with state guidelines and audits

A field visit is part of the reappraisal process where an appraiser reviews a property in person. This includes:

• Measuring and verifying the exterior dimensions of structures
• Review property characteristics such as stories, materials, and improvements
• Update property record cards and pictures
• Confirming that existing records accurately reflect the property

Field data collection is a key component of maintaining accurate assessments and is required as part of the overall appraisal process.

The Michigan State Tax Commission recommends that assessors inspect approximately 20% of properties each year, ensuring that all properties are reviewed over a multi-year cycle.

• Property owners will receive a postcard via USPS before fieldwork begins in their neighborhood.
• Appraisers will carry proper identification and drive City of Novi owned vehicles.
• Appraisers will measure all land improvements on the premises (dwellings, out buildings, decks, patios, etc.)
• Visits are short in duration and non-intrusive

Upon the appraiser’s arrival they will attempt to notify the homeowner, if no one is home, they will leave a card on the door and continue their field work.

A field visit or reappraisal does not automatically increase property taxes. Its purpose is to ensure accuracy and fairness.

The Assessor may add omitted structural property that was not previously included on the assessment roll for the current year and the one preceding year.

For more information on omitted property, please refer to MCL Section 211.154, The General Property Tax Act (Excerpt), Act 206 of 1893.