How do I find out the history of a lot such as ownership, date, purchase price, etc. of a particular piece of property?
This information is generally available on the James City County Property Information System website. If you need any assistance you can call, email, or visit the Real Estate Assessments Division.

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1. Why do Real Estate Assessments exist?
2. What is the difference between mass appraisal and a single property appraisal?
3. When are the assessments done?
4. What is the effective date of the assessment?
5. How do you come up with the change to assessed value?
6. How is assessed value determined?
7. Are foreclosures and short sales used when determining assessed value?
8. Why is my purchase price different from my assessed value?
9. What should a property owner do if they think their assessment is incorrect or if they disagree with their assessment?
10. When will property owners be notified of any new assessment?
11. Does the County have a program to help senior citizens and disabled persons on their property taxes?
12. How is individual property information obtained?
13. What does “improvement” mean on my notice and how will changes to my property affect assessed value?
14. When is it necessary for an appraiser to physically inspect a property?
15. How do changes in assessment value affect the sale price of my property?
16. What are some situations outside of a reassessment when property values might change?
17. Does the assessor determine the tax rate?
18. What property information is publically available via the Real Estate Assessments Division?
19. Where do I get a copy of my deed?
20. Where do I get a copy of my plat?
21. Can I get a copy of my “survey” (the one with the house)?
22. How do I find out the history of a lot such as ownership, date, purchase price, etc. of a particular piece of property?
23. My information on the property information website is incorrect, how do I get it fixed?
24. When is ownership information updated on the website after a sale?
25. What is a Supplemental Bill?