EstatePass
ValuationProperty_tax_assessment_ratios_4_vs_6_percentHARD

A South Carolina real estate licensee is explaining property taxes to a first-time buyer purchasing a $350,000 home in Anderson County as her primary residence. The seller has been paying taxes based on the 4% assessment ratio. The buyer asks whether she should expect to pay the same amount in property taxes as the seller paid. Which response is most accurate?

Correct Answer

C) No, the property will be reassessed at 6% until the buyer applies for and receives the 4% ratio.

The 4% owner-occupied assessment ratio does not transfer automatically from the seller to the buyer at closing. Upon change of ownership, the property reverts to the 6% assessment ratio by default. The buyer must independently apply to the county assessor's office and demonstrate that the property is her primary residence to receive the 4% rate. Until that application is approved, she will be taxed at the higher 6% rate, resulting in a significantly higher tax bill than the seller paid.

Answer Options
A
Yes, the tax bill will be the same because the property use and assessment ratio are unchanged.
B
Yes, the tax bill will be the same for the first year, then the county will reassess after the buyer applies.
C
No, the property will be reassessed at 6% until the buyer applies for and receives the 4% ratio.
D
No, the property will be reassessed at full fair market value with no ratio applied until the buyer files an exemption.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Valuation Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Valuation

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Valuation

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Valuation Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

4_percentnon_transferablechange_of_ownershipbuyer_applicationfirst_time_buyer

Related Concepts

A transfer tax is a tax imposed on the transfer of ownership of real estate.

Reconciliation is the final step in the appraisal process where the appraiser analyzes the value indications from all applicable approaches and arrives at a single final opinion of value. It is not a simple average of the three values.

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.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Valuation Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Valuation Questions

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing