Local municipalities have seen improvement in the housing market based on a survey of 712 county governments.

According to the Thomas Reuters and the National Association of Counties’ Annual Local Property Markets Survey, 72% of U.S. counties reported an increase in assessed property values. In addition, 64% of counties reported a rise in the volume of economic records processed in the last year. Twenty-nine percent of the counties surveyed reported a rise in foreclosures, while 23% reported a decrease.

Staffing levels for tax, assessor and recording offices were also measured: 13% of U.S. counties reported staff reductions, a major decrease from 42% in 2012. An increase in staff was reported from 7% of counties.

Numerous counties have indicated that information management systems are expected to boost staff and operational efficiency, enhance data accuracy, and amplify the reliability and security of information using mobile, cloud-based and online services. Integrating tax, assessment, valuation, and recording systems are enhancing information accuracy and reliability and continue to enable local governments to run more efficiently.