2027 Revaluation Information

The Town of Readfield contracted with Dirigo Assessing Group to complete a property revaluation.  The Town last completed a revaluation in 2006, about twenty years ago.  A lot has changed in that time including the physical condition and size of buildings, the relative value of vacant lots and back acreage, and the relative value of property in different neighborhoods.   The dramatic changes in real estate value since the COVID-19 pandemic have affected every town in the state.  In Readfield an average home that sold for $183,000 in 2019 will increase by about 110% in value by 2027 and is likely to sell for $384,000 or more.  Over the same eight year period taxes for municipal services (not including School and County taxes) will have increased about 23%, or less than 3% annually.  Inflation has tracked higher at about 3.5% annually during the same period.

Every year the Town conducts a study of recent sales to perform a comparison between our assessed values and sales values.  Every year for the past seven years we’ve found that our relative property values are close to where they should be but that our numeric values need adjustment to keep pace with the market and requirements of the State of Maine.  In effect, we've done several mini revaluations during this time but they only adjust property based on a factor, like 10% or 20% across the board.  As we do this, small differences and discrepancies can become bigger - in both directions.  For example the values of a new sun room that was not reported or a deck that was removed a decade ago but is still being taxed are greater and more impactful.  Periodic revaluation is needed to ensure that all property is assessed fairly and accurately - both physically and in relation to the market.  

The table below shows how the revaluation process has progressed and where it is headed:

The first and second years of the revaluation (2024-2025) were primarily spent with setup and administrative work in the office.  In the third year of the revaluation Dirigo has begun actively conduct site visits of properties in town.  If you haven’t had a visit already you should expect one in the next year.  Dirigo representatives will likely take exterior building measurements, exterior photos, and request a walk-through of residential buildings.  While you don’t have to allow access into your home it is important to ensure that the correct property value is assessed.  Once site visits are finished toward the end of 2026 Dirigo will work on completing data entry and revising our schedule of values.  Before new values are assigned we will hold a public hearing to discuss the revaluation process and offer an opportunity for Q&A.  Following the hearing individual letters will be sent out and there will be an opportunity for discussing the proposed assessed values with Dirigo.  Once revised, the new schedule of values will be in place for April of 2027.  In short the changes will take effect when the first half of taxes are due in September of 2027.

Because the Town of Readfield has done a good job making adjustments over the past few years we don’t expect dramatic changes in individual property values, outside of things like unreported new construction or assessing errors we may find and correct along the way.  It is essential to understand that a revaluation does not mean an automatic increase in your taxes.  All else being equal any net increase in property values will result in a decrease in the mil rate.  That being said, the Town only has control over about 18% of tax impacts.  The RSU is 73% and the County is 9%.  For our part, the Town will actively work over the upcoming budget cycles to minimize changes to municipal appropriations during the year the new schedule goes into effect and give taxpayers as clear a picture of any changes in value as possible.

We know that no one likes paying taxes but we also know that everyone wants taxes to be assessed fairly.  Thank you for your assistance in making that possible!  Questions regarding the revaluation process can be directed to either Dirigo or to the Town Manager.

To contact Dirigo:

Primary PoC - David Ledew
Telephone - (207) 441-0797
Email - Email

Here are pictures of our Assessing Agent, David Ledew, and his assistant Amy Weir.  Not pictured is Tina Taylor, another assistant.

The documents at the bottom of the page, particularly the presentation by Dirigo, offer additional information on the revaluation process.