New Year, New Value? What Every Johnston County Wendell Homeowner Needs to Know About Revaluation

As we ring in 2026, many of our neighbors in the Johnston County side of Wendell are opening their mail to find something a bit more stressful than a holiday card: their new property revaluation notice. If your "Assessed Value" just jumped significantly, your first instinct might be to panic about your tax bill.

But take a deep breath! As your local real estate guide, I’ve been digging into the data and the County’s latest FAQs to help you navigate exactly what this means for your wallet and your home’s equity.

What is a Revaluation, Anyway? North Carolina law requires counties to revalue property at least every eight years to ensure the tax burden is spread fairly. Johnston County’s last update was in 2019. Since then, we’ve seen historic growth. The goal isn't to raise more money for the county—it's to make sure everyone is paying their fair share based on what their home is actually worth today.

The "Sticker Shock" vs. The Tax Bill Here is the most important thing to remember: A 50% increase in your home's value does NOT mean a 50% increase in your taxes. When values go up across the board, the county and town typically adjust the tax rate downward (this is called the "revenue-neutral" rate). Your tax bill only significantly changes if your home’s value grew much faster—or slower—than the county average.

Why My Assessment Might Differ from Zillow The County Tax Office uses "Mass Appraisal." They look at aerial images, street-level photos, and qualified sales data. Unlike Zillow’s "Zestimate," which uses an algorithm that sometimes includes "unqualified" sales (like family transfers or foreclosures), the county tries to focus on arm's-length market transactions.

What Should You Do Now?

1. Review Your Notice: Ensure the features listed (square footage, bed/bath count) are accurate.

2. Check the Market: If you think the value is higher than what you could actually sell the home for, you have the right to appeal.

3. Know the Deadlines: You only have a limited window to file an informal appeal once notices go out. JCTO.ORG

The Bottom Line Revaluation is actually a testament to why we love living here—our community is in high demand! Whether you’re in a new build in Johnston County or a historic home near one of our  quaint downtowns, I’m here to help you understand your home’s true market position. 

Need a second opinion on your new value? Reach out today. I’m happy to run a custom market analysis to see how your new assessment stacks up against recent neighborhood sales.