Councilwoman’s sales comparison calls for a county review and a consistent standard for every neighborhood
WILMINGTON, Del. — A Wilmington councilwoman’s comparison of property assessments and sale prices is raising a question for New Castle County: Were homes in some city neighborhoods valued too high while properties near Greenville were valued too low?
Councilwoman Christian Willauer examined properties sold from January 2022 through June 2024 in three Wilmington election districts and two near Greenville. Her report found that 71% of the properties studied in Hilltop were assessed at more than 110% of their most recent sale price. The figures were 64% in Tilton and 61% in West Center City, compared with 23% and 9% in the two Greenville-area districts.
Brent Burdge, a Republican candidate for the state Senate, said the findings warrant a county review. “Homeowners should be taxed on a defensible value for their property, whether they live in Hilltop or Greenville. The county owes taxpayers a clear explanation of these differences and a correction wherever the assessments are wrong.”
A case for review, with questions still to answer
Willauer wants the county to inspect assessments across Hilltop, Tilton and West Center City. She argues that individual appeals cannot adequately address a pattern affecting whole neighborhoods…