Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Land Services
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Once the property is granted the homestead classification, it will not be necessary for you to reapply for the classification, unless there is a change in ownership of any kind. However, at any time, the County Assessor may require you to provide an additional application or such proof as they deem necessary to verify that you continue to meet the requirements of the homestead classification.Land Services
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Land Services
In most situation, it is because application for the homestead has not been applied for in the Land Services office.
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The County Assessor is responsible for notifying all property owners of the estimated market value and classification of their property through an annual notice.Land Services
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This notice is sent to those persons whose property is to be included on the assessment roll if the person's address is known to the assessor. This information is sent ordinary mail at least ten calendar days before the meeting of the local board of appeal and equalization scheduled to meet between April 1st and May 31st each year. In townships and cities that have elected to transfer the powers and duties of the local board of appeal and equalization to the county, it is mailed at least ten calendar days before the open book meetings with the assessor.Land Services
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Land Services
The property owner should immediately contact the Land Services office. There are times when this notice is lost in the mail, returned as undeliverable, or sent to another person because the ownership record and/or mailing address have not been updated by the responsible party. Whatever the cause for not receiving a notice of assessment, Minnesota Statute 273.121 states that in no way is the validity of the assessment, the resulting tax, procedures of any board of appeal and equalization, or the enforcement of delinquent taxes affected.
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The probable property tax impact of the new assessment is not addressed through this notification. Tax impact information is published in November of each year on a notice of proposed property tax also known as a truth-in-taxation statement. At that time, the responsibility of elected officials in establishing the property tax levies is made clear. This latter notice provides property owners with an estimate of how much their property tax bill will either increase or decrease due to spending or other factors.Land Services
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Land Services
The Assessor is responsible for valuing property at its Estimated Market value. Estimated Market value can be defined as the most probable price in terms of money which a property will bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably, and assuming that neither is under undue duress. According to state law, the Assessor's Estimated Market value is supposed to represent 100% of real value as expressed in the market place. The Minnesota Department of Revenue and the Minnesota Tax Court sit in judgment annually to determine whether the Land Services Office has done its job according to statute. The performance of the Assessor's Office is measured statistically by the use of sales ratio analysis. By law, assessor's values are to be within 90% and 105% of sale price of the sales period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 for the 2026 Assessment. If this level of assessment is not achieved, the county is subject to valuation adjustments by the Department of Revenue or The Minnesota Tax Court.
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Land Services
Minnesota state law requires that the value and classification of all real and personal property be established as of January 2nd each year. A mass appraisal process is used for estimating market values. Information from all sales that occur within the county is collected and closely analyzed by Land Services Office. The Land Services Office then adjusts the Estimated Market Value accordingly.
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Land Services
Your property is assessed (or valued) in one year and taxed on that value in the next. For example, property valued for the 2024 assessment will pay taxes on that value in 2025.
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Supply and demand create market value and assessors measure it. In an appreciating market, as demand increases and the cost of buying property increases, other property values will rise too. The same is true, in reverse in a declining market.Land Services
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The number one reason is that there is a lag between the time of the assessment and when the sale takes place. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has a fact sheet "My House is Worth What?" that explains in depth why many times the assessor's estimated market value and the sale price of a property are usually different.Land Services
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The simple answer is yes and if you don't allow access to your property you lose your right to appeal the value that has been placed on your property. Minnesota Statute 273.20 states "Assessor may enter dwellings, buildings, or structures." Any officer authorized by law to assess property for taxation may, when necessary to the proper performance of duties, enter any dwelling-house, building, or structure, and view the same and the property therein. Any officer authorized by law to assess property for ad valorem tax purposes shall have reasonable access to land and structures as necessary for the proper performance of their duties. A property owner may refuse to allow an assessor to inspect their property. This refusal by the property owner must be either verbal or expressly stated in a letter to the county assessor. If the assessor is denied access to view the property, the assessor is authorized to estimate the property's estimated market value by making assumptions believed appropriate concerning the property's finish and condition.Land Services
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No, it does not. There are differences between individual properties and between cities or townships. In one area the sales may indicate a large increase in value and in another area there may be very little or no change in value. Also, different types of property within the same area may show different value changes. There are numerous factors to be considered in each property which will cause value changes to differ. Some of the factors that can affect value are location, condition, size, quality, basement finish, garages, and many other factors.Land Services
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Yes, the Assessor keeps records on the physical characteristics of each property in the county. Even though the assessor may have been unable to go through your property, the Estimated Market Value will be reviewed based on existing records and sales of similar property.Land Services
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Land Services
Property classification for property assessment purposes is based upon actual use or the highest and best use of the property. Classification for zoning is based off of the County Board approved land use map.
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People make value by their transactions in the market place. Property values are based on market values which fluctuate with general economic conditions such as interest rates, inflation rates, supply and demand and changes in tax laws. By Minnesota state law, as property values change in the marketplace, those changes will be reflected in the assessor's Estimated Market Value based on history of sales.Land Services
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Generally speaking, improvements that increase the market value of a property will increase the assessor's market value. The following are typical improvements that will increase the market value of your property: added rooms or garages; substantial updating of kitchen or bath; basement or lower level finishing; replacing old siding or windows; extensive remodelingLand Services
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Good maintenance will help retain the market value of your property. Generally, your market value will not be increased for individual minor repairs such as those that follow. However, a combination of several of these items could result in an increase in your value: replacing water heater; repairing roof shingles; repairing steps or sidewalks; repair original siding; painting/decorating; replacing plumbing or electrical fixturesLand Services
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Land Services
Please contact our office at (218)824-1010 for this information. You will need to have your legal description, address, or parcel identification number to determine whether it is abstract or torrens.
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In order to determine if there is an easement of record for your property, a search would need to be done. You will need to contact an attorney or title company, or you can search our records in our public research room.Land Services
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We do not provide legal advice on how to fill out or prepare documents for recording. If you have questions you will need to contact an attorney or a title company.Land Services
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Please contact a real estate attorney or title company to assist you with obtaining the correct documents.Land Services
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If you want to know about a particular parcel contact the Land Services Office at (218) 824-1010.Land Services
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Land Services
No, in general, the policy has been to retain the acreage tracts, as shown in the plat book and manage said lands for multiple use public benefits ie: timber management, recreation, wildlife, wetland protection, and similar benefits.
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Land Services
Yes, parcels may be available to be purchased for the starting bid at the Land Services Office. These parcels are available for sale until such time as they are withdrawn from the list by county board action. Sale price is not negotiable.
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Yes, on occasion. Due to the additional liability to the county, our goal is to sell properties containing structures as soon as possible.Land Services
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If special assessments are listed on the sale brochure, the assessments must be paid in full at the time of sale. Check with City/Township clerks for any pending special assessments of which Land Services is not aware.Land Services
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Land Services
If you have successfully purchased a tract, you must make payment within 5 business days. Cash, check, money order, cashiers check and Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards are all acceptable methods of payment.
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When the property has been paid in full, the Minnesota Department of Revenue will convey title by means of a State Deed.Land Services
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The Land Services Department makes the preliminary determination and develops a preliminary land sale list for County Board review. Tracts are placed on the preliminary list after considering individual requests and department recommendations.Land Services
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Land Services
The project area is required to be staked out prior to the site visit by staff to ensure all standards are met prior to the issuance of the permit.
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The application and fee schedule can be found under Permit Information.Land Services
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Land Services
Requirements for land use permits vary. Please visit Microsoft Word - Land Use Permits FAQ 1.22.2025.docx for more details.
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Contact a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency licensed designer to determine the appropriate septic system type, size and location for your property. After the septic system design is approved by the County, submit an application to Land Services with the appropriate fee.Land Services
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DRT is a pre-application meeting that all applicants are required to attend prior to making application to the Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment for a plat, land use map amendment, conditional use permit or variance.Land Services
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Land Services
Please call or email the Land Services Department at 218-824-1010 or landservices@crowwing.gov