Seller says sale was 75K; county records show later MLS resale for $115K after demolition

A petitioner who sold a parcel in 2025 told the Elkhart County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals on April 21 that the property had been purchased in 2022 for $60,000, sold in May 2025 for $75,000, and that there were no improvements while the property was owned by the petitioner.

County staff, however, presented a chain of evidence showing the $75,000 conveyance appeared to be a non‑marketed sale, that the buyer obtained a demolition permit and removed the structure (assessor noted a $5,000 demolition adjustment), and that the property was subsequently offered and sold on the MLS as vacant land for $115,000 in October 2025. The property record card also showed an existing 25% abnormal obsolescence entry that had kept prior assessed values lower.

The petitioner said the family bought the property to help a son after a divorce and that the seller realized a loss on the transaction; “I don’t understand how it could go up that much when the property was never improved,” the petitioner said. County staff offered to provide the MLS listing sheets and described the timeline: sale for $75,000 (May 2025), demolition permit and demolition, then marketed resale as vacant land for $115,000 (Oct. 2025).

Board members asked clarifying questions about dates and whether the initial sale was an arm’s‑length, marketed transaction. The board adjourned the hearing and will notify the petitioner by mail after reviewing the record.