If you find someone outside your home looking around at your house's exterior, it may just be someone working for the Lawrence County Auditor's Office.

The Auditor's Office has begun reappraisal of all 52,154 pieces of property in 39 taxing districts in the county. Every six years, the state requires property to be reappraised, Lawrence County Auditor Ray Dutey said. Everything must be completed by March 31, 2004. The new appraisals will affect 2005 tax bills, he said.

The auditor's office has contracted with Appraisal Research from Findlay to do appraisal work. The company was the lowest and best bid from approximately five companies, and the cost will be $623,697, Chief Deputy Auditor Chris Kline said.

Guidelines state that the value of each piece of property must be within 5 percent above or below sale prices, Dutey said. In areas such as the city of Ironton or Rome Township, property values and taxes could increase. However, values on smaller homes would not increase to the extent of a home of the same size as larger, newer homes built.

Home improvements such as adding rooms, decks or porches may also increase, Kline said. However, homes that have become more run-down or have been damaged, may have decreased values.

At this time, a survey has been mailed to everyone in the county, Kline said. This survey consists of questions about a home's building materials amount of rooms, bathrooms, and other aspects of a person's property. So far, the auditor's office has received a response of 70 to 75 percent, which is good, Kline said.

The appraisals will consist of driving by and looking at homes, Kline said. Every place in the county will be visited. Also, the office will try to let people know when their property will be inspected. When the data is collected, the auditor will advertise taxing rates for each district so people can inspect it.