Ramsey County homeowners should find their county tax statements in the mail soon — and they’ll likely see big boosts in their home value. And in what they owe.

For the first time, Ramsey County’s residential properties are worth more than they were at the pre-recession peak.

And it likely won’t end anytime soon.

“All indications are values are going to go up next year, too,” said Luis Rosario, director of the Ramsey County Assessor’s Office.

According to the 2019 county assessor’s report released this week, median residential property values in the county reached $256,400 — beating the 2007 record of $247,800.

But there remains one place in the county where median values still remain below $200,000: in its largest city, St. Paul.

CAPITAL CITY GAINS

While the capital city’s median home price sits at $198,800, the lowest in the county, those living there will be hit with significant increases in city (10.5 percent), county (4.3 percent) and school district (15 percent) taxes this year.

Meanwhile, St. Paul’s residential values jumped a sizable 7.8 percent, and some neighborhoods, whose rebound from the recession had previously lagged, experienced far higher hikes.

In particular, some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

The Frogtown neighborhood showed the biggest bump in median values: an 18.6 percent increase, from $129,900 last year to $153,766 this year.

Dayton’s Bluff came next, with boosts of 14.7 percent to $149,082 — still the lowest median value in the city. And the North End came next: a 13.6 percent jump in median values to $155,328.

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Minnesota Department of Revenue commissioner to step down As high as those values are, however, they are still lower than they were before the recession — meaning there’s still ground to be made up.

North End properties are still a full 14 percent lower than they were in 2007, and Dayton’s Bluff and Payne-Phalen are in the double-digit negatives as well.

“I didn’t have that impression. I’m surprised they haven’t come back,” said Brad Griffith, an agent with Edina Reality who works with buyers and sellers on the East Side and once sat on the Dayton’s Bluff council’s vacant building committee.

Those areas had a big hole to climb out of, Griffith noted. Back at the recession’s low in 2011, the median home value in Dayton’s Bluff was $55,000, Griffith remembers.

“And a lot of those houses were actually fairly decent. They’re typically the first ones to fall and the last ones to come back.”

Compare that to the Macalester-Groveland and Highland neighborhoods, where values are now nearly 20 percent higher than they were at the 2007 peak.

Those higher-end neighborhoods, which bounced back from the recession quicker, typically showed smaller value hikes this year. Summit Hill homes, for example, experienced only a 5.5 percent median value increase to a median of $402,450 (the city’s highest).

Those living in St. Paul may see a discrepancy on their statement from the previous “proposed” statement they received months ago. That’s because the old one didn’t include the recent school district levy that passed in November.

Out in the suburbs, North St. Paul showed the most gains, with home values rising 16.1 percent to a median of $213,200. Maplewood and Mounds View were the next up, with gains of 10.5 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively.

“I think we still are in kind of a sweet spot, even with rising values of homes. I think we still provide affordability. But that supply is dwindling,” said Mike Martin, Maplewood’s economic development coordinator.

THE PROCESS

Assessors base the value of a home on comparable sales in its surrounding area in 2018. Also, once every five years, appraisers come to a home, judge it from the outside and ask to be let in (typically only 2 to 5 percent of them make it in the door).

Those wanting to challenge the increased value of their home (and thus receive lower taxes) can either call the county at 651-266-2131 or attend an open-book meeting, currently slated for April 2 and 3.

Homeowners should be armed with evidence such as a recent appraisal, a realtor market analysis or an owner’s own tally of comparable sales in their area. But a re-assessment also has to include a home visit.

“It’s very rare that someone wants to up their value,” said Rosario. He noted that the county is not required to report any home renovations they find to city code officials.

“That’s not our role,” Rosario said.

Low and median income ($55,000 or lower), elderly (60 years or older), or disabled residents, as well as those with language barriers, may be able to get help filing taxes. To see if you qualify, call the state revenue department at 651-296-3781. Related Articles Driver who killed Ramsey County deputy’s wife sentenced for another DWI

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Also, those whose county taxes went up more than 12 percent this year can qualify for a special property tax refund through the state.

They have to have lived in the home all year, and there is no income requirement. Information on the Special Homestead Credit Refund, or its requisite M1PR form, can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website. The filing deadline is Aug. 15.