David owns a rental house in Reno, Nevada with a taxable value of $500,000. He has held the property for five years, during which assessed values in his area have risen sharply. His neighbor Karen owns an identical property purchased last year at the same taxable value. Under Nevada's property tax abatement law, which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the difference in their property tax bills?
Correct Answer
A) David may pay lower property taxes than Karen because his assessed value increases have been capped at 8% per year under Nevada's abatement law, while Karen's property was assessed at current taxable value when she purchased it.
Under NRS 361.4722, Nevada's tax abatement law caps annual increases in assessed value for non-owner-occupied real property (such as rental homes) at 8% per year. David, as a five-year owner, has had his assessed value increases capped at 8% annually, which may result in his current assessed value being significantly lower than the full 35% of current taxable value — especially in a rising market. Karen, who purchased last year, had her assessed value reset to 35% of the current taxable value at the time of purchase, which may be higher than David's capped assessed value. This 'assessment reset upon sale' feature of Nevada's abatement system is a critical and often-missed nuance: buyers in a rising market may face higher initial assessed values than long-term owners of comparable properties.
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
The comparable sales approach estimates a property's value by comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold in the same market area. It is the most widely used and reliable approach for appraising residential properties.
The cost approach estimates a property's value by calculating the current cost to rebuild the improvements, subtracting accumulated depreciation, and adding the land value. It is most reliable for new construction and special-purpose properties.
Depreciation is an accounting method of allocating the cost of an asset over its useful life, allowing investors to deduct a portion of the asset's cost each year.
More Valuation Questions
Maria owns a home in Boise, Idaho that serves as her primary residence. She wants to reduce her property tax burden by taking advantage of Idaho's homeowner exemption. Under Idaho law, what is the maximum amount of assessed value that can be exempted from property taxation under the homeowner's exemption?
A New Hampshire licensee is listing a 75-acre parcel that has been in the Current Use program for 15 years. The seller informs the licensee that he enrolled the land himself and has never paid a Current Use enrollment fee. The buyer intends to keep the land as open space and wants to maintain its Current Use status after closing. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the situation the licensee must disclose and advise upon?
Leilani is a licensed Hawaii real estate salesperson helping a buyer purchase a property registered in the Land Court system in Honolulu. When discussing property taxes, the buyer asks whether the Land Court registration of the property affects how it is assessed for property tax purposes compared to a property in the Regular System (Bureau of Conveyances). Which response is most accurate?
A homeowner in Portland receives her annual property tax statement. The county assessor lists her property's Real Market Value (RMV) at $480,000 and her Maximum Assessed Value (MAV) at $310,000. Which value will the county use to calculate her property tax bill?
Highest and best use means the use that is:
- → Dorothy, age 72, owns her home in Henrico County, Virginia. Her annual household income is $28,000 and her net worth (excluding her home) is $85,000. She applies for Virginia's elderly and disabled property tax relief program. Which statement best describes how Virginia's program works?
- → Which formula best represents the cost approach to appraisal?
- → Which appraisal method is most commonly used for residential properties and relies on recent sales of comparable properties?
- → The sales comparison approach to appraisal is most commonly used for which type of property?
- → Susan sells her luxury waterfront home in Kirkland for $2,000,000. Using Washington's current graduated state REET schedule under RCW 82.45 (1.1% on the first $525,000; 1.28% on the portion from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000; 2.75% on the portion from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000; 3% above $3,025,000), what is the state REET owed on this sale (excluding any local REET)?
- → James owns a farm in rural Tennessee that qualifies for the Greenbelt Law. Under Tennessee's Greenbelt Law, how is agricultural land assessed for property tax purposes?
- → Highest and best use:
- → The sales comparison approach adjusts for differences by:
- → In the sales comparison approach to appraisal, adjustments are made to which properties?
- → The market approach (sales comparison approach) to property valuation is most reliable for:
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
How to Study Real Estate Valuation Questions Without Letting Principle Names Replace Actual Reasoning
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...
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...
