2025 Assessment Notices Mailed April 1
The following explanation is provided to clarify the 2025 valuation change you are receiving and its distinction from the reappraisal project currently underway in Mason City for 2026 assessed valuations.
Please note that the assessment notice(s) you are receiving today reflect your 2025 assessed value, which is based on market sales and conditions since January 1, 2023. This valuation change is unrelated to the ongoing reappraisal project being conducted by the Mason City Assessor’s Office in collaboration with Vanguard Appraisals for 2026 assessed values. The results of this reappraisal will be reflected in the assessment notice(s) you receive in early 2026.
Iowa is a market-value state, meaning assessments must reflect the current real estate market. For Assessment Year 2025 (AY2025), we are required to use all arms-length sales transactions from 2024 to determine assessed values. The median sales ratio for commercial property in Mason City based on those sales is 86.4%. The median sales ratio for residential property (which includes residential 3+) is 89.21%. Iowa law mandates that valuations be at 100% of market value, plus or minus 5%, every odd-numbered year. If assessments fall outside this range, the state will apply an equalization adjustment in the fall. This adjustment increases an entire property class by a flat percentage, which may result in some properties receiving larger adjustments than necessary, while others may not be adjusted enough. By valuing properties based on local market data, we ensure that all properties are assessed fairly and equitably.
Property records are available on our Beacon website. When reviewing your 2025 assessment, ask yourself:
"Could I sell this property for the assessed amount today?"
If the answer is yes, the assessed value is likely accurate. If you believe your assessment is too high or too low, you may review your record online (or request a copy of your property record card from our office) to ensure the information on file is correct. Recent sales are also available on the Beacon website, where the Comp Search feature allows you to filter sales by property characteristics to find comparable properties.
If you still believe your assessment does not reflect market value, you may request an informal review with the Assessor’s Office and present any information or evidence supporting your valuation. The informal review process is available until April 25th. If an agreement is not reached by the end of business on April 25th, you may file a formal appeal with the Mason City Board of Review.
The Board of Review operates independently from the Assessor’s Office and has the authority to confirm, increase, or decrease an assessment. Protests must be filed with the Mason City Assessor’s Office between April 2nd and April 30th to be considered by the Board. More information on this process can be found in the Board of Review section of our website.
If you have questions about your assessment or the appeal process, please contact our office in one of the following ways:
📧 By email: mcahelp@cerrogordo.gov
📞 By phone: (641) 421-3061
🏢 In person: 215 N Adams Ave, Mason City
