It lists the year 2019 taxes at 1,438...land at 900...and additions at 10,050 for a "total assessment" of 10,950. 

The 5k per assessment fee is not always realistic since on many occasions it take more than 5k to find a good deal. 

I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who can't walk through a property and assess it's overall condition as well as come up with a ballpark rehab budget, nor anyone who would be financially ruined if/when there is a major issue hiding such as a partially-collapsed sewer line that needs an immediate $25k to repair.

I study the lot now more carefully to assess water flow. 

If you have found a property and you know the price that is great, if you go a couple of steps deeper you will be able to make a better assessment of an appropriate down payment.

They are about 2.7% of the assessed value, depending on the school district.

What strategies do you use to assess if a seller is motivated?

A portfolio that I am looking at would be jump from a 4.5MM assessed value to a 6.5MM (after the ATI exemption) and increase the taxes almost 50% and am unsure if there is a way to mitigate this.Hope this makes sense.

Purchasers need to get a condition report assessment before buying and get credits from the seller held in reserve in anticipation of repairs or replacements.The other company likely has the 10 plus threshold as below that there is not enough volume to be worth their time.

While pests are usually the fault of the tenant, sometimes they aren't, and if I assess the problem is more related to the property, I will take care of it.