A condition rating is the appraisal district's assessment of your property's physical condition—typically rated on a scale from excellent to poor (or using numerical codes). This rating directly affects your improvement value because properties in better condition are worth more than those needing repairs.
Condition ratings appear on your property record card and influence how much depreciation is applied to your improvement value. A home rated "excellent" receives less depreciation than one rated "fair" or "poor."
The challenge: appraisal districts often rate condition based on exterior observations or default to "average" without knowing your home's actual interior condition. If your home has issues the county doesn't know about, your condition rating—and assessment—may be too high.
Condition rating is one of the most common sources of overassessment—and one of the easiest to challenge with documentation.
Check your condition rating:
1. Find your property record card online
2. Locate the condition field
3. Compare to your home's actual state
4. If overstated, prepare to challenge
Evidence that supports a lower rating:
• Photos of dated kitchens/bathrooms
• Original systems (HVAC, roof, water heater)
• Needed repairs or maintenance
• Functional problems (layout, room sizes)
• Professional inspection reports
If your 30-year-old home with original everything is rated "good," that's a protest opportunity.
Typical condition rating scales:
Rating scale example:
• Excellent: Like new, fully updated, premium finishes
• Good: Well-maintained, minor updates needed
• Average: Typical wear, functional but dated
• Fair: Significant wear, needs updates
• Poor: Major repairs needed, functional issues
How it affects value:
Same home, different conditions:
• Excellent condition: $350,000
• Good condition: $320,000
• Average condition: $290,000
• Fair condition: $250,000
• Poor condition: $200,000
The gap between "excellent" and "average" alone can be $60,000 or more—significant tax impact.
Look up your property on your appraisal district's website and find the property record card or detail page. Condition rating is typically listed among property characteristics. It may use words (excellent/good/average) or codes you'll need to decode.
Yes, through the protest process. Present evidence that your home's condition is worse than rated—photos, repair estimates, inspection reports. The district may adjust the rating, which reduces depreciation applied and lowers your improvement value.
This is extremely common. Exterior-only inspections miss interior condition issues. Document interior problems with photos and descriptions. Request an interior inspection or present your evidence at the hearing. The appraiser can't know what they can't see.