Achievements / Testimonials

21st Century Appraisals has developed a reputation for excellence in quality of assessments, technology, and public relations.  The evidence of this is best demonstrated by public independent studies, newspaper articles, and press releases.  Following is information that will help potential clients evaluate the issues and our performance attributes.

2004 and 2005 STEB Statistics.

The Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) publishes annual quality of assessments statistics for use by counties and courts throughout the judicial process.  Counties reassessed by 21st Century consistently rank as Pennsylvania’s best for fairness of taxation and quality of assessments.
2004 STEB Statistics .PDF
2005 STEB Statistics .PDF

Quality of Assessments Based on the “1999 International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Standard” by Roger H. Downing, Property Tax Consultant (Study of Pennsylvania Counties Based on 2003 STEB Data). 

Roger Downing has conducted quality of assessments studies for The Pennsylvania State University and STEB since the early 1960’s.  This study was the first of many based on the “1999 IAAO Standard.”  It also allowed ranking of Pennsylvania counties by each standard of measurement.

Note:  Please notice what company reassessed the most uniform tax bases in Pennsylvania.  See “Table 1.”
Quality of Assessments .PDF


Comparison of Quality of Assessments in Pennsylvania Counties Reassessed Since 2000 and Chart 1 – Reassessment Company Performance Comparison in Pennsylvania - STEB and Chart 2 – Pennsylvania Company Performance Comparison in Pennsylvania - IAAO. 

In June, 2005, the Lackawanna County Commissioners requested that Roger H. Downing and Richard D. Twark, Retired Penn State Statisticians, conduct this study for the purpose of comparing quality of assessments performance by reassessment companies.  The results of this study revealed that 21st Century Appraisals is the only company that has achieved standards of average uniformity, regressivity, and level of assessment.
Comparison of Quality of Assessments .PDF


Lackawanna County Media Conference – Reassessment Agreement (January 4, 2006). 

This media release provides good information about why the Lackawanna County Commissioners decided to conduct a county-wide reassessment and select 21st Century Appraisals as their contractor.
Lackawanna County Media Conference .PDF


Reasons to Select 21st Century Appraisals. 

This is a presentation of the key reasons why many counties have selected 21st Century Appraisals for a county-wide reassessment.  This document has been used many times as part of the selection process and public presentations.
Reasons to Select 21st Century .PDF


“Reassessor Gets High Marks” (Times-Leader) – July 11, 2003. 

Following a critical analysis of the selection process, numerous articles appeared in newspapers similar to this one.
Reassessor Gets High Marks .PDF


Other Achievements.

21st Century been recognized as a leader in Pennsylvania assessments and technology. Following are a few highlights.

21st Century Was the First in Pennsylvania To...

1. Utilize market-driven methodology for mass appraisal.
2. Use technology for Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA).
3. Develop “Clean and Green” valuation methodology.
4. Automate “Clean and Green” valuation.
5. Utilize GIS in “Clean and Green” valuation.
6. Integrate GIS into a CAMA system.
7. Develop an interactive Web browser-based public assessment records system.
8. Attach electronic images to the assessment record.
9. Set up a system of online informal reviews.
10. Use portable notebook computers for field data collection.
11. Reassess counties on a cyclical update plan.
12. Contract with county government for privatization of Assessment Office management services.
13. Value active minerals.
14. Value Wireless Service Facilities (WSF).