Commercial Appraiser

Buncombe County Property Assessment Office is seeking a detail‑oriented and analytical Commercial Appraiser to join our team. The Assessment Office has 35 employee who are tasked with appraising all real and personal property in Buncombe County. In the Commercial Appraiser role, is responsible for evaluating the value of commercial properties through comprehensive market research, on‑site inspections, financial analysis, and industry‑standard appraisal methodologies.

The ideal candidate has strong critical‑thinking skills, a deep understanding of real estate markets, and the ability to communicate complex valuation findings clearly and professionally.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to perform complex appraisal work listing, maintaining, and preparing market valuation of commercial property within the County for tax purposes.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: (required at time of hire): Associate degree in business administration or related field and a minimum of four (4) years of appraisal experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Preferred successful completion of IAAO courses 101- fundamentals of real property appraisal, 102- income approach to valuation, 112- advanced income approach to valuation, 300- fundamentals of mass appraisal, 311-residential modeling concepts, 312- commercial modeling concepts and North Carolina Machinery Act. Considerable knowledge and experience working with software and databases related to excel, access, crystal reports, power point and ArcMap.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Current certification as a tax appraiser preferred by the Ad Valorem Tax Division of the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Licensed as a certified Real Estate Appraiser or general appraiser by the North Carolina Appraisal Board preferred. Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Perform complex appraisals and assessment revaluation analysis of real property and vacant land under review and determines market value using sales reports in conjunction with other data.
• Perform site visits to measure structures and verify buildings and land features; verify quality and other features of the improvements; check physical depreciation, other depreciation, and overall condition; verify building permits have been completed or the status; verify sketch and details of building permits; take updated photos.
• Process real property transfers using available subscription services and other data to verify property characteristics, building sketch, details, and location; update property records; analyze transfers, and deeds to determine qualified or non-qualified sale and perform appropriate actions.
• Review building permits for upfits or new construction and updates property records including the addition and deletion of buildings, adding new construction details, and building sketches from the provided plans.
• Collect, analyze, and prepare data reports, including financial reports, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Translation of market data and internal analysis results into Income Approach models for valuation purposes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques used in property appraisal work as required and the methods and procedures of the County Assessor’s Office.
• Knowledge of current construction costs, including building materials and land value.
• Knowledge of commercial property valuation.
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of the County.
• Knowledge of the three approaches to market value (cost, income, and market) of real property.
• Knowledge of appraisal statistics and specialized appraisal analysis.
• Knowledge and mastery of mathematics.
• Knowledge of local and regional laws regarding construction, valuation, and assessment of property.
• Knowledge of local and regional real estate market by monitoring sales, construction, reading reports, and scanning local periodicals for new development, education and establishing relationships.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the ability to create pivot tables and data models within the program, to perform data analysis tasks.
• Ability to research and maintain a level of knowledge of new technology, systems, and equipment.
• Ability to compile documentation and defend and present case information to the Board of Equalization and Review for unresolved formal appeal property assessments.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints, sketches, property and transfer deeds, aerial data, topographical analysis, and other reports relevant to this position.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with co-workers and the general public.
  

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.