Appraisals and Inspections

Minnesota Statute 273.08 requires that all appraisers physically review each property at least every five years. The appraisal interval may be shorter due to review appraisals requested by the owner, ongoing new construction or if the appraiser feels there may be an error in the property information for a particular property.

The Carlton County Assessor’s Office announces every spring what cities and townships they will be reappraising that year on the Carlton County Website. 

Appraisers are currently doing inspections for the 2024 reassessment in the following areas - the Cities of Barnum and Moose Lake, the townships of Atkinson, Barnum, Clear Creek, Holyoke, Mahtowa, and Moose Lake. 

How will I identify a Carlton County Appraiser?

Appraisers working in Carlton County will be carrying photo identification,  and business cards.  They will also be driving a vehicle marked with Carlton County on it. Information can be verified by calling the County Assessor’s Office at 218-384-9142.

Why does an appraiser ask to view the interior of my property? 

Each property has unique characteristics that affect its market value. Appraisers need to gather as much information as possible in order to arrive at a fair and equitable value. Typically, the older a structure the more variations in characteristics exist for that property. 

What if I don’t let the appraiser inspect my home?

The appraiser will then be forced to make an arbitrary appraisal of the property. This will include assuming that the interior is typical for that type of property, (i.e. recently remodeled, finished basement, added bath, etc.). Appraisers want to view as many properties as possible in order to have the best possible information on all properties since the quality of the assessment is a measure of the quality of their work. Not allowing an interior inspection will result in the loss of the right to appeal your market value at the Board of Review Minnesota Statute 273.20 and 274.01. sub 1.

When will I find out what value the appraiser has put on my property? 

You will receive a valuation notice sometime in March / April informing you of your value and classification for that assessment year. Even though an appraiser may have visited your property the previous summer, valuations require accumulation of sales data through the end of the year, then time during the winter to view new construction, to analyze the market and to perform model calculations.