Real estate assessments up nearly 4 percent in Annandale

The mean real estate tax assessment for residential properties in Annandale (zip code 20023) is $380,715, in 2013, a 3.99 percent increase from 2012, the  Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration reports.

That compares to a 3.5 percent increase county wide from 2012 real estate assessments. The mean assessed value countywide is up 3.13 percent for single-family homes, 4.5 percent for townhouses, and 5.42 percent for condominiums.

The area experiencing the biggest increase in residential real estate assessments is Herndon (5.23 percent), and the area with the smallest increase is Clifton (1.62 percent). In addition to Herndon, areas with larger increases than Annandale include Great Falls, Lorton, and Reston.

Commercial properties show an overall equalization increase of .14 percent, which is primarily because of a 4.9 percent increase in the value of multifamily apartments. Values for office buildings with elevators decreased 2.41 percent, and other offices decreased 1.72 percent, due to lower rents and higher vacancy rates.

The county mailed 2013 tax assessments earlier this week. If you think yours is wrong, you can file an appeal to the Department of Tax Aministration. Appeals must be filed by April 5. You can also file an appeal with the Fairfax County Board of Equalization by June 3.