If you’ve lived in Baldwin County for more than five minutes, you know the vibes. One day you’re enjoying a sunset at Fairhope Pier, and the next, you’re staring at a yellow valuation notice in your mailbox wondering why on earth the county thinks your house is worth that much.
Actually, let’s clear something up right away. People search for the "Baldwin County Alabama property appraiser" constantly. But if you walk into the courthouse in Bay Minette asking for the "Property Appraiser," you might get a few blank stares.
In Alabama, the person wearing that hat is officially the Revenue Commissioner. Since 2009, that’s been Teddy Faust Jr. He’s the guy responsible for mapping, appraising, and assessing every single parcel from the tip of Orange Beach up to the timberlands of Little Bayou Canot.
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The Sticker Shock: Why Your Assessment Just Spiked
It’s no secret that Baldwin is exploding. We’re talkin’ the fastest-growing county in the state. When more people move to Foley or Gulf Shores, prices go up. And when prices go up, the Revenue Commissioner’s office has to follow the trail.
Here is the thing: the county doesn't just guess. They use "mass appraisal." It’s basically a giant math equation. They look at what your neighbors’ houses sold for between October 1st of the previous year and September 30th of the current year.
Wait, what? Yeah, Alabama operates "in arrears." That’s a fancy way of saying you’re paying for the past. Your 2026 tax bill is actually based on what your property looked like—and what the market looked like—back on October 1, 2025.
If you built a pool in November, the appraiser won't "see" it for tax purposes until the following cycle. Honestly, it’s a bit of a time-traveling headache for new homeowners who expect their taxes to reflect the price they paid yesterday.
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How the Math Actually Works (Without the Boring Stuff)
You don’t need a finance degree to understand your bill, but it helps to know the three-step dance the Baldwin County Alabama property appraiser (the Revenue Commission) performs:
- Appraised Value: This is the 100% fair market value. What it would sell for if you stuck a sign in the yard today.
- Assessed Value: In Alabama, we don't pay taxes on the full 100%. If it’s your primary home, it’s "Class III" property. You only pay taxes on 10% of the value. If it's a rental or commercial spot, it’s "Class II," and you’re hit with 20%.
- Millage Rate: This is the multiplier. Every city (Daphne, Spanish Fort, Robertsdale) has its own rate.
Let’s say your Fairhope cottage is appraised at $400,000.
- Assessed Value (10%) = $40,000.
- If your millage rate is, say, 32.5 mills...
- You’re looking at $1,300 before any exemptions.
The "Homestead" Secret Everyone Forgets
I see this all the time. Someone buys a beautiful home in Ono Island, pays cash or a huge down payment, and then forgets to tell Teddy Faust's office they actually live there.
If you don’t file for your Homestead Exemption, you are essentially giving the county a tip. You aren't required to do it every year—just once after you move in. But you have to do it by December 31st.
If you’re over 65, or if you’re permanently disabled, the deals get even better. There are exemptions based on income that can virtually wipe out your state portion of the property tax. But again, the appraiser isn't a mind reader. You have to go to the office (or use their online portal) and show the paperwork.
Fighting Back: The Protest Process
"They think my house is worth what?!"
If that was your reaction to the valuation notice in April, you have 30 days to fight it. This isn't just about complaining that taxes are too high—the Board of Equalization doesn't care about your budget. They care about accuracy.
If you want to win an appeal with the Baldwin County Alabama property appraiser, you need "the receipts."
- Did your neighbor’s identical house sell for $50k less? Print the listing.
- Does your roof have a massive leak or is your foundation cracking? Take photos.
- Did you get an independent appraisal for a refinance recently? Bring it.
The county workers are actually pretty reasonable people. If you can prove your property has a "detriment to value" that they didn't see from the street, they’ll often adjust it right there without a formal hearing.
Searching the Records Like a Pro
You don’t have to wait for the mail. The Baldwin County Revenue Commission website is actually pretty robust. You can search by name, parcel number, or just zoom in on the GIS map.
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It’s kinda fun (and a little nosey) to see what everyone else is paying. But more importantly, it’s how you check for errors. I’ve seen parcels where the county thought a porch was a finished "heated and cooled" room. That’s a mistake that costs you money every single year until you fix it.
Your Action Plan for 2026
Stop treating property taxes like a mysterious "black box" bill. You have more control than you think.
- Check your classification: Ensure your home is listed as Class III (10%) if you live there. If it says 20%, you’re paying double for no reason.
- File that Homestead: If you bought a home in 2025, get your Alabama driver's license updated to the new address and file your exemption before December 31, 2026.
- Watch the Calendar: Valuation notices usually hit mailboxes in late April. Mark your calendar for May to review it. You only have that 30-day window to protest.
- Update your address: If you moved but kept your old house as a rental, tell the Assessment Department. If mail goes to the wrong place and you miss the protest deadline, you're stuck for the year.
The office has locations in Bay Minette, Fairhope, Robertsdale, and Foley. Honestly, the Robertsdale office (Central Annex) is usually the easiest to get in and out of if you hate waiting in lines.