By SUZANNE DOWNING
The Municipality of Anchorage’s newly posted Assessor’s Valuation Report shows what many homeowners have been bracing for: property values are up, in some cases sharply, even as a handful of prominent Democrat officials saw modest declines or flat valuations.
According to the report posted on the municipal website, the average residential valuation increased citywide, following the assessor’s office adoption of a new data program this year. Several residents report increases exceeding 30%, translating into tax hikes of roughly $2,000 or more.
One Eagle River homeowner said his assessed value jumped 34.87% in a single year.
Among Anchorage Assembly members, valuation changes varied widely, and not always in ways that match public rhetoric about taxes and affordability.
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Chris Constant: +0.86%
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Daniel Volland: +0.65%
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Felix Rivera: Not listed
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Anna Brawley: Not listed
Several members saw notably larger increases:
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Kameron Perez-Verdia: +3.18%
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Erin Baldwin-Day: +3.21%
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Keith McCormick: +13.24%
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Jared Goecker: +7.2%
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Scott Myers (Eagle River): +12%+
Others experienced declines:
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George Martinez: −3.42%
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Yarrow Silvers: −5.5%
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Zac Johnson (Hillside): −2.9%
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance saw her property valuation decrease by 3.03%, even as the overall average climbed by as much as 30% in similar neighborhoods, with many homeowners reported double-digit increases. Her last valuation in 2025 was $695,800. and in 2026 it went down to $674,800.
Eagle River’s valuations have gone through the roof.
Homeowners can appeal their assessments to the Board of Equalization, but the process carries a notable condition: filing an appeal allows assessors to conduct an in-person walkthrough of the property. Nearly all are denied.
That requirement has caused some homeowners to hesitate, particularly those facing large increases but wary of further scrutiny. One homeowner on Facebook said his entire neighborhood went up 15%
The municipality has posted an online lookup tool that allows property owners to enter their address and see the new valuation and estimated tax impact. Several homeowners reported being surprised or alarmed when running the numbers.
As Anchorage debates affordability, density, and tax policy, the latest assessments underscore a growing disconnect between official reassurances and what many residents are now seeing on paper.
19 thoughts on “Anchorage property assessments: Most spike up, but mayor and her allies’ valuations go down”
The research of my neighborhood also revealed that most of the excessive valuation increases went to those that hold Senior / Disabled Veteran exemption status, rising by 10% or more while adjacent neighbors saw noticeably lower increases or even a slight decrease. Seems like we were targeted. My own valuation increased by $50K and over the past few years erased the exemptions value.
If you look through the Muni presentation, the average single family value increase is 3.5%, so the small increases seen by our dear leaders may not be that atypical. My own went up 22%! And that is after big increases in previous years. My assessed value is now $100k over the Zillow value.
This article says that appeals are rarely successful but the Muni presentation says that something like 85% of appeals are successful.
I am glad i fact-checked this article. I would be surprised if a muni presentation would be full of gross falsehoods.
In the last 20 years my so called value has been 400%. Likewise my tax bill over 400%. This year 61,000. My 900 sq ft Spenard built in 1953. You won’t win. Pay $800 for an assessment and they will do it next year and you need to do it again.
Where did you find that “presentation” your are quoting?
It would also be nice to see what their definition of “successful” is.
Its that link in the first sentence.
Thank you! I usually go directly to the appropriate site instead of using a link in a post. I find the Muni site not to be the most user friendly.
The problems with assessments and valuations is
1. The muni has all the rules
2. The assessments aren’t based on $$/s.f. – they’re based on “similar” home sales nearby. If you don’t have solid surface counters, new floors, Viking and Bosch, etc you still get to pay property taxes as if you do!
Our appeal tripped over this exception and our assessment was reduced by $13,000 >> we have an irregularly shaped lot. That is neither square nor rectangular. Make your appeals! The muni is counting on your acceptance of the valuation as a matter of greed upon resale.
User fees are the way to go, not property taxes. If you drive on our roads, you need to help maintain the roads. I park my airplane at Merrill Field and pay a fee to do so. I don’t expect anyone who doesn’t park their plane there to pay that fee.
Home ownership shouldn’t include paying thousands of dollars per year to government in order to call it ownership! That’s renting not owning!
Smaller more efficient government is a huge component of this whole problem.
Well, my property tax didn’t “decrease” this year!!! Actually, when I reviewed the Tax History feature on the website, the property tax has “NEVER” decreased in value in any given year over the last 10-years. In fact, my property has appreciated +40% in ‘assessed’ value over that 10-year period.
As usual, the “chillins’ working for the Muni (directly and indirectly) need their cheese too!!!
The condo valuation I discuss below has increased 67% over the 14 years I’ve owned it. Will certainly be a trick if I earn that at sale.
WOW // Ouch … 67%. I’m guessing I must live around more D’s than you so, our condo property assessments are less, IDK? Last year I paid $5,850 in MOA Property Taxes.
It’s good for thee, but not for me.
LaFrance.
(Yes, the guillotine is working )
Thank you to all who knowingly voted for this. Please defend your vote! Why? I am guessing that you’re probably one of the people whose property evaluations went down.
My property assessment increased by 39% here in Eagle River! It is now assessed at $200k above Zillow comps for my assumed value. This year’s assessment is an increase of $229k! I’m going to file an appeal, giving my $200 fee to the Muni, because this just became unaffordable on my retirement income. Yes, I do have a Disabled Veteran exemption, but this assessment more than wipes out that benefit. EagleExit is looking better by the minute!
Hi Edward – the $200 is refunded at the end of the appeal.
2024 Value: $153,548
2025 Value: $180,300 (a 17% increase. Oh look, I turned 65 in May/2025)
2026 Value: $230,600 (a mere 28% increase) Taxable value is $5,600, so Caesar gets his pound of flesh.
Raising valuations just to get over the hurdle of ever higher exemptions is complete 🐂💩. I can’t believe it’s not illegal. If these morons want more people to ‘pay their fair share,’ then they need to stop raising the ‘primary residence exemption.’ What dipsticks.
BTW, anybody want an 800 SF top floor condo off of Fireweed: It’s a deal at $200k!!
One year, at my prior home in NW Anchorage, my entire neighborhood saw valuation declines of 10-15%, save five lucky winners. When I went to argue against the 15% INCREASE on the land, Eva — who can take her apples and stuff them where the sun doesn’t shine — said, “Well, someone could tear that home down and build a duplex, thus increasing the value.”
That ‘someone’ would have to do just that for the value to increase, was completely lost on this glittering ignoramus. That was my second loss in 4 arguments. Fortunately, I work for myself and could afford to take some time to “tilt at the windmill.” However, I’m done now…. A 50% increase in two years on this condo tells any prospective (first time, younger, low income) buyer that they should look somewhere else. Like the Valley. Great way to promote affordable housing.
We live 1,370 feet down the road, at the same Hillside elevation from Assemblyman Zac Johnson. He lives in a 2249 sq ft house built in 1985. We live in a 3,476 sq ft house built in 1982. The assessed value of our house went up 5.7% while the assessed value of Mr. Johnson’s residence went down 2.9%. Rigged game? Voters decide.
On top of the 10% and 9% increases the previous two years, our home valuation went up almost $100K this year. As for Assemblyman McCormick’s home going up a whopping 13.24%, isn’t it ironic that he just happens to be the largest burr in the saddle of the liberal majority? Apparently Scott Meyers of Eagle River must’ve pissed ’em off as well. I plan on contacting Mr. McCormick so that, possibly, he can shed light for MANY residents citywide that are astonished by the increases. People want answers that make sense and, are honest. The second qualifier may elude Constant and his allies.