TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The township administrator reported that nearly 700 homes have been “successfully inspected” by the appraisal company hired to conduct a complete reassessment of residential properties in 2025.
At the March 17 council meeting, Administrator Mark DiCarlo said that Appraisal Systems Inc. of Fair Lawn had inspected 664 homes by the end of January—approximately 20% of the township’s residential properties. Inspectors were allowed to conduct interior inspections in about 63% of those cases, he said. The company also completed 247 estimates or refusals.
“The current progress is typical, especially when starting during winter months,” DiCarlo said.
He spent several minutes responding to reassessment questions posed by Councilman Michael Ullman. DiCarlo said he had spoken with township Tax Assessor Sarah Holbig to provide updates on the ongoing process. He noted that once the initial round of home visits is complete, follow-up letters will be sent to homeowners where inspectors were unable to gain access.
DiCarlo said that only one resident had filed a complaint about the process and that it was handled directly by his office. He added that Holbig reported no problems stemming from the inspections.
Tax officials, DiCarlo said, emphasized “the importance of an interior inspection” and encouraged residents to contact Appraisal Systems to schedule one. Efforts to reach DiCarlo for additional comment were not immediately successful.
The reassessment aims to ensure uniform and equitable property valuations township-wide, reflecting shifts in the real estate market, officials told Pascack Press.
How the reassessment works
Inspectors from Appraisal Systems are scheduled to visit every property in the township to conduct both exterior and interior evaluations. Initial visits take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If no one is home, inspectors leave a card with a proposed return date and a phone number for rescheduling. A contactless interior inspection via video conference may be available upon request.
Residents are advised to verify inspector credentials. All field inspectors carry photo ID and are registered with the Police Department and Township Clerk’s Office. Appraisal Systems also conducts background checks on all inspectors.
Following the initial round of inspections, 25% of township properties will be physically inspected each year to keep valuations current. However, all properties will be reassessed annually to reflect market fluctuations and avoid sharp changes in assessed value.
New property values will take effect for the 2026 tax year and will reflect market conditions as of Oct. 1, 2025. Homeowners will receive notification of their proposed assessed values by mail and will have an opportunity to appeal them if necessary.
Residents with unique property conditions that may affect value can submit documentation to: Appraisal Systems, Inc., 17-17 Route 208 North, Suite 210, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.
On Sept. 9, 2024, the Township Council approved Resolution 24-309, awarding a five-year, $470,000 contract for township-wide reassessment services to Appraisal Systems. It was the only bid received.