How to Search Boston Property Records

Property records are public records, and they contain a lot of valuable information such as deeds, mortgages, liens, etc. Boston property records are public, and you can access them through the Accessing Online system, which the city set up to make finding parcel information quick and easy. Some of the data available includes assessed value, ownership, and tax information. You can search by address, parcel ID, or other criteria.

Boston also has an area on its website where you can find information about recent sales (single-family, condo, multi-family, etc.), the names and addresses of parcel owners, property values, a property card, an assessment calendar, and other financial reports.

Boston property taxes are essential to the local economy. They pay for schools, road maintenance, police departments, fire and emergency services, water, sewer, and other local services. Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. However, residential property is taxed at a different rate than commercial property.

Assessments

The City of Boston Accessing Department is responsible for determining the value of all real estate within the city and setting tax rates. They perform an assessment of each property, determine the value, and come up with a tax amount that the homeowner must pay annually. The Accessing Department values all property in January, and the law requires that all property be re-evaluated every three years.

After a tax assessment, if a homeowner disagrees with the value and tax bill, they can file an appeal with the local Board of Assessors. If the board denies their abatement application, the homeowner has three months to file an appeal with the Appellate Tax Board (ATB). Their decision will be final. To begin the process, you must download a "Petition Under Formal Procedure". You can appeal by mail or in person.

Property taxes vary by area. For example, taxes in Beacon Hill (02108) may be vastly different than in South Boston (02118). Properties located in the Back Bay (02116) or Boston Metro (02110) may be valued higher and considered more desirable thus, the taxes may also be higher.

Appraisals

Appraisals are another way property is valued. Sometimes, government offices use appraisals to determine the value for tax purposes. Most often, appraisals are used during the house-buying process. A lender will require an appraisal to ensure that the home's value supports the loan. Typically, the buyer of the property is responsible for paying for the appraisal. Certified appraisers are the only ones qualified to perform an appraisal and value the property. After they inspect the property, an appraiser will create a comprehensive report that supports their findings and validates the value. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers is the entity responsible for training, testing, and certifying appraisers in Boston. All licensed appraisers must comply with Title XI, the Federal Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989.

Some appraisers are certified only to appraise residential properties, and others can also determine the value of commercial properties. These are different and use a varied method to determine the value (often based on revenue generation).

Some local appraisers to check out in Boston include:

• Boston Real Estate Appraisals
• Cullen Real Estate and Appraisal Company
• G&K Appraisals

Tax Rates

The effective property tax rate in Boston for an average home in 2022 was 0.49%, one of the lowest in the country. Boston property taxes have risen slower than property values. Boston is relatively inexpensive when compared to other cities within Massachusetts. Some comparative tax rates include:

• Arlington 10.5%
• Burlington 8.9%
• Lexington 12.25%
• Medford 8.5%
• Newton 9.7%
• Redding 11.7%
• Somerville 10.5%

Cities with high income or sales taxes need fewer property taxes to pay for services; therefore, their rates will be lower. If a city relies heavily on property taxes, its rate will be higher. As city expenses rise, so must property taxes to pay for the services. Property taxes are expected to rise annually due to increasing property values, budget increases, and the fact that Boston gets most of its money from property taxes. Boston condo owners may get a separate tax bill for their parking space. Commercial properties may be taxed at a different rate than residential.

Tax Exemptions

As property taxes increase, Boston property owners look for ways to save. Boston offers a variety of exemptions that can lower the homeowner's tax liability. It works by lowering the value, thus, the property taxes owed. Some of the available exemptions in Boston include:

• Senior Citizen 41C
• Veterans 22
• Blind Citizen 37A
• Surviving Spouse
• Tax Deferral
• Hardship Clause 18

Boston homeowners must file for these exemptions and wait for approval. You can file for an exemption by downloading an application and mailing it in by the deadline. Each exemption has its own deadline. Use this resource to find out more information about the available types and how to apply.

Property taxes must be paid quarterly on July 1st, October 1st, January 1st, and April 1st. Bills are mailed out 30 days before they are due, and property owners can pay their tax bills online, by phone, by mail, or in person.

To learn more about Boston's property tax system, how to change your mailing address with the tax authority, and other questions answered, you can visit their online resource.

Anyone looking to build new homes, renovate, or demolish a structure must apply for a building permit. The city of Boston makes it easy to apply for, print, and pay for permits online. However, if you want to visit in person, you can visit the building office at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Boston offers a few different types of permits, including:

• Short-Form Permit
• Long-Form Permit
• Demolition Permit
• Use of Premises Permit
• Foundation Permit
• New Construction Permit
• Electrical, Plumbing, & Gas Permits

When submitting your application, you must provide specific details about the work being done, materials, the contractor performing the labor, and other specifications. This may include blueprints, material lists, and certificates of insurance and licensing for any workers.

Once approved, you can begin working on your project. However, the building inspector must view the on-site work throughout the process to ensure it complies with building regulations. If anything does not, it must be redone. This applies to new construction and renovations. The permit is valid for six months, but you may extend that by another 180 days if necessary.

Boston is a large city with a population of 653,833 and 12,600 housing units, making it the largest housing area in New England. Boston has a wide variety of housing units, such as single-family homes, multi-family homes, duplexes, condos, apartments, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) public housing, affordable housing, brownstones and Victorian row houses, and income-controlled units (19.2% of city units).

The median price for real estate in Boston is $800,000. The median listing for a single-family home is $948,000. The average price per square foot is $664. Location matters. The median price in the Central Middlesex Area is $1.125 million, whereas the median price in the Southern Norfolk Region is $693,500. The average home stays roughly 23 days on the market. Over the past ten years, an average of 1,572 homes were on the market, and more than 33% were sold over the list price. Three hundred seventy-seven homes were sold in Boston over the past year.

Boston's median home price is 91% higher than the national average, and the cost of living is 46% higher.