A licensed Indiana broker is advising a client who purchased a home for $500,000. The county assessor subsequently assessed the property at $520,000 for property tax purposes. The client insists that the assessed value must equal the purchase price and demands the broker help him challenge the assessment. Which of the following statements best reflects Indiana law regarding assessed value and purchase price?
Correct Answer
A) Indiana assesses property at 100% of market value, and while a recent sale price is strong evidence of market value, the assessor is not legally bound to match the purchase price exactly
Under IC 6-1.1-4-39, Indiana assesses property at 100% of true tax value (market value). While a recent arm's-length sale price is considered strong and highly relevant evidence of market value, Indiana assessors are not legally required to set assessed value exactly equal to the purchase price. The assessor uses the sale as one data point among others (comparable sales, cost approach, income approach) to determine market value. A $520,000 assessment on a $500,000 purchase could be challenged, but the mere fact of a different purchase price does not automatically invalidate the assessment.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Valuation Question
Background Knowledge for Valuation
Real World Application in Valuation
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Valuation Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Homestead portability allows homeowners to transfer a portion of their accumulated homestead tax savings to a new homestead in the same state.
The income approach estimates a property's value based on the income it generates by converting net operating income into a value estimate using a capitalization rate. It is the preferred method for income-producing properties.
Many states have laws to limit how much property taxes can increase each year, regardless of market value fluctuations.
More Valuation Questions
In Utah, property taxes are collected by which governmental entity?
In Utah, how is a primary residence assessed for property tax purposes under the residential exemption?
Which of the following best describes how Utah's rapid population growth, driven partly by Silicon Slopes tech expansion, has affected housing affordability?
When appraising a property in Utah's Wasatch Front, which environmental hazard would an appraiser need to consider that is less common in most other states?
The rapid growth of the 'Silicon Slopes' tech corridor in Utah has most directly affected real estate in which area?
- → The income approach to appraisal is most commonly used for which type of property?
- → Which formula correctly calculates the capitalization rate?
- → External obsolescence in Oklahoma:
- → The sales comparison approach to appraisal is most appropriate for which type of property?
- → Which of the following correctly lists the three types of depreciation recognized in real estate appraisal?
- → The sales comparison approach to appraisal is most commonly used for which type of property?
- → Which four tests must a use satisfy to qualify as the highest and best use of a property?
- → Three depreciation:
- → Cap rate:
- → Which formula best represents the cost approach to appraisal?
People Also Study
Buyer Representation Agreement
8% of exam
Property Ownership
10% of exam
Land Use Controls and Regulations
8% of exam
Financing
12% of exam
Related Articles
Appraisal & Valuation for the Real Estate Exam (2026): CMA, Comps, Cap Rate + Examples
Learn the three approaches to value, CMA basics, and cap rate questions with examples and practice.
How to Study Real Estate Valuation Questions Without Mixing Price and Value
A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for study real estate...
How to Study Real Estate Finance Topics Without Letting Loan and Valuation Terms Blur Together
Use a cleaner study system for real estate finance topics so loan terms, valuation language, and formulas stop blending together.
