What is the essential purpose of mass appraisal?

The essential purpose of mass appraisal is to develop statistics from a sample of sales in a taxing jurisdiction. This approach allows appraisers to estimate property values efficiently across a wide range of properties, typically for property tax assessment purposes. By analyzing a representative sample of recent sales data, appraisers can determine typical property values in the area, which helps ensure that assessments are fair and equitable for all property owners.

Using this statistical method contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the real estate market within a specific jurisdiction rather than evaluating properties on a case-by-case basis. Mass appraisal supports a systematic approach to property taxation and ensures that appraisals reflect current market conditions and trends. This method is particularly useful for jurisdictions with a high number of properties, where individualized assessments for each property would be impractical and time-consuming.