Many homeowners in the Tampa Bay area are still displaced following recent hurricanes, stuck in a frustrating wait for property appraisals on their damaged homes. For those who’ve gotten their assessments, the outcome is often disappointing, with valuations coming in far lower than expected, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Jeff Fuller, a homeowner in Redington Beach, received a notice that his home was “substantially damaged” and advised to either demolish or rebuild it.

“It’s awful to receive a government letter telling you, ‘Sorry, you need to tear down your house and move,’” Fuller shared with Fox 13 Tampa Bay.

RELATED: Pinellas County Introduces Pre-Storm Building Value Reconsideration as an Alternative to Private Property Appraisals for FEMA Recovery

The Pinellas County Property Appraiser assessed Fuller’s home at $298,000, while a private appraisal valued it at $642,000 — over double the county’s figure.

“If you want to keep your home, getting a retroactive private appraisal might be the best $500 you spend,” Fuller suggested.

In an exclusive interview, Pinellas County Property Appraiser Mike Twitty explained the appraisal process to the local news station.

“Remember, a private appraisal is specific to one property,” Twitty explained. “They look at detailed pre-storm conditions, which gives them better data. We, however, have to appraise 40 to 50 thousand properties annually using statistical models.”

RELATED: New State Program to Aid in Repairing Storm-Damaged Homes

Twitty stressed there’s no agenda to undervalue properties or encourage demolitions.

“Absolutely not. I’m from Pinellas County, and my goal is to support homeowners and see them stay in their homes,” he said. “But, unfortunately, not all homes can be repaired.”

He encourages homeowners dissatisfied with their property’s valuation to contact his office. 

“If you’re not happy with your appraisal, reach out to us,” Twitty recommended. “There’s usually a reason for the valuation, and we can work together to address any concerns you might have.”

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(Image credit: Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s website)