Case_26-000682_Response_Joanne R Kemp.pdf

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Date: July 1, 2026 

 

To: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Michigan Tax Tribunal 

Docket No: 26-000682 

Re: Joanne R Kemp (Petitioner(s)) 

vs 

Township of Grass Lake (Respondent(s)) 

My husband, Andrew Kemp and myself, Joanne Kemp, bought our home in Grass Lake, MI, 

address 2794 Kalmbach Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240 on June 16th, 2025. We received an 

appraisal on May 25, 2025 for $550,000. The purchase price of the home was $545,000 or 

$195/sq foot. 

The home is a 3 bedroom, 2 and half bath and unique in fact that the majority of the home 

resides on a cement slab, with a 1,000 square foot basement on a section of the home. 

Because of its unique build, it is difficult to assess or locate comparable properties in the 

area. 

It is our belief the taxable value would be approximately 50% of the appraised value 

$550,000 or 272,500 taxable value. We were quite surprised when we received our first tax 

assessment from the Township of Grass Lake of 303,200 taxable value in February 2026. 

That would imply our home is worth $606,400 or increase in value in mere 8 months by 

$56,400 or 10.35%. My husband and I petitioned the Board of Review and stated our case. 

The Township of Grass Lake responded by reducing the initial assessment from 303,200 to 

290,000. This would indicate our home value is $580,000, an increase from prior year 

appraisal of $30,000 or 5.2%. There are no reports that support this increase in property 

value in the area. The average price of a home in Grass Lake is $349,220 based on 2025 

data from House Prices. 

We kindly ask the Michigan Tax Tribunal to consider the first tax assessment of our home 

similar to the appraisal value. The appraisal is attached for review. 

 

Thank you kindly for your consideration. 

 

Sincerely, 

Joanne R. Kemp 

Email: Jkemp525@hotmail.com