My wife and I discovered Greensboro in 2020. We were considering a move to Charlotte, but every time we visited friends here we kept thinking what a great place it was. So we took a leap and landed in Lindley Park with all its convenience and charm. We were hooked on our new hometown and quickly realized it was the perfect place to grow a family.

As time went on in our little pocket, we couldn’t help but notice our neighborhood was alive and in transition. Renovations were popping up and the neighborhood was speckled with dumpsters. A new symbol of prosperity.

It was exciting when we would see a neighboring home sell for more than we imagined and think, “Wow… I wonder what our house is worth?” It felt good. It felt cozy, like a warm blanket. A security blanket wrapped in equity just in case we ever needed it. It was wonderful watching our largest asset grow in value.

Until it didn’t feel comfortable anymore. Our cozy blanket got heavy. 

That emotional equity boost isn’t just a good feeling anymore. It hits a little differently when it shows up in our lender’s escrow update.  Our cozy blanket became a wet blanket.

So What Actually Happened?

Our property tax rate did not change, but our property value increased. Our last assessment was in 2021, and the reality is that we experienced unusually high appreciation since then. Our 2026 assessment simply caught up.

Did I plan on a 70% increase in my taxes? Not at all. Did I plan on 50%? No. 30%? Not there either.  Did I plan on anything?  Not emotionally.

I collected myself to consider the big picture.

In our area, we have a vibrant community attracting new businesses and residents. That creates value, and when I step back and look at our situation from a practical perspective, I much prefer this assessment problem.

What if we were losing area employers and families were leaving because we didn’t have livable communities? What if my assessment stayed the same or was reduced? That would be a different burden. That would be a real loss to our net worth.

Instead, we have gained wealth through home appreciation.

Our assessment is really a signal of demand in the area. I value my home, its proximity to parks, entertainment, and economic opportunity. And I am not the only one.  The truth is value follows where people want to live and work.  Greensboro has that.

How Can a Homeowner Check Their Assessment?

One way to do that is by comparing recent sales of similar homes nearby.

In fact, this is one of the first things I do as a REALTOR® when determining property value. Understanding value is really the foundation of any real estate decision.

When I bought my home I accepted the responsibility of paying property taxes. In return the city and county maintain and support our shared interests. Since my part of that transaction is paying taxes based on property value, I have a strong incentive to understand the valuation process.

Fortunately we have tools for this.

I start by looking at recent sales prices. This is often called “pulling comps.” I run a comparative market analysis (CMA) to estimate where my property fits relative to recent sales. Guilford County actually provides a tool, called Comper Citizen, that allows residents to review comps and use them if they choose to appeal an assessment.

Why does this matter?

While most assessments are fairly accurate, mass reassessment cannot perfectly capture every individual property. I want to make sure I am being taxed on a value that actually exists, a number the market would realistically support.

At the same time there is balance in the system. Assessments are one side, appeals are the other.  The appeal process is simply a check and balance that helps keep things fair.

My responsibility as a homeowner is to be informed and honest with myself. If I believe my property is assessed too high, I can appeal. But it is not a trivial action.

And if I determine my home is properly assessed, the best response may simply be recognizing the privilege of living in an area so many enjoy.

What Should Homeowners Do Next?

If you are unsure how your assessment compares with recent neighborhood sales, reviewing comparable properties can bring some clarity. Preparing a CMA is one of the advantages of working with a REALTOR®. At Triad’s Finest Real Estate I am always happy to help neighbors review the data and think through the best approach for their situation so they can make informed decisions about their property and their place in our community.