What Shubert and his colleagues decide will help to determine how much each owner should pay in property taxes.
That's a frightening thought for Conroy and many other homeowners who fear that their property taxes could rise - perhaps to more than they can afford.
On the other hand, they might get a fair assessment for the first time in their lives and see their taxes drop.
For years, the city has unfairly and inaccurately assessed the value of homes. Some folks in pricey condos pay less than they should. Some in modest rowhouses fork over more than they should.
The Nutter administration is trying to fix this by reassessing every property in town. Its goal is to be finished, and to have the new bills sent out, by next December.
Who are these assessors determining what your home is worth? And how will they make that decision?
"It's Our Money" followed Shubert around on a recent sunny day in northwest Philadelphia to find out.
The ruddy-cheeked, middle-aged assessor is dressed in a tan suit - he's hoping to "blend in really nicely, so people wouldn't take pot shots" at him - and carrying a clipboard. As Shubert traipses down Aurania Street, he fills out an exhaustive checklist for each property.
When was it built? Has it been remodeled? How many rooms are there? Bathrooms? Is it a full or half bath? Is the basement finished? Is there central air? Any additions? A fireplace? A deck?
Even though assessors will take notes on every last detail of your house, you probably won't ever talk with them. They rarely go inside homes, Shubert says, because taxpayers don't have to let them in.
"When I tell them what I'm there for, they don't want to give me any information," he says.
So, how does Schubert know every minute detail about your home, from its square footage to the year you tacked on that addition for your kids?
