January 2026 Downs Property Digest

Vickie A. Downs
Jan 30
3 min read

A Message from Your Property Appraiser, Vickie A. Downs

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, it’s wonderful to see so many of our seasonal residents back in Collier County and to reconnect with familiar faces throughout the community. I hope the New Year finds you and your family healthy, happy, and ready for a great year ahead.

January also marks a meaningful milestone for me—one full year serving as your Collier County Property Appraiser. Over the past year, our office has accomplished so much together. We launched a completely updated website, expanded GIS and mapping tools, improved property search features, enhanced communication through social media and the Downs Property Digest, and increased outreach across the county. Most importantly, we’ve continued to focus on transparency, service, and accuracy in everything we do. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the trust you place in us. Thank you for allowing my team and me to serve you. I look forward to a great year ahead and continuing our work together in 2026.

Warmly,

Vickie A. Downs

Collier County Property Appraiser

💡Homestead Exemption Reminder

If you moved into your residence in 2025 you have until March 2nd, 2026 to file for your 2026 Homestead Exemption and have your assessed value capped for 2027.

📅 The deadline to file for your 2026 Homestead Exemption is March 1, 2026.

Homestead Exemption can provide significant property tax savings and helps cap future increases in assessed value. Our team is here to help guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have. You can learn more at collierappraiser.com

💡We’re Hiring! Join Our Team

The Collier County Property Appraiser’s Office is growing, and we’re currently hiring for several positions:

Full-Time Field Appraiser
Cartographer / GIS Technician
Customer Service Specialist

If you’re interested in public service and want to be part of a professional, dedicated team, we encourage you to apply. Visit collierappraiser.com to learn more.

💡Out in the Community

Community engagement remains a top priority for our office. This month, I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a variety of events throughout Collier County. I truly enjoy meeting residents, answering questions, and explaining how our office works.

Vickie A. Downs attended the East Naples Civic & Commerce Annual Banquet at the new Great Wolf Lodge, congratulating the newly installed Board of Directors and celebrating another successful year for the organization. She also attended the Naples Reagan Club meeting and had the opportunity to speak with multiple homeowner associations throughout Collier County. These events continue to be valuable opportunities to listen, answer questions, and stay engaged with the communities we serve.

💡FAQ Spotlight: Protect Your Property from Fraud

Q: What’s one easy thing I can do to protect my property from fraud?

A: Enroll in the Clerk’s Risk Alert Program.

Scammers can file fake deeds, liens, or mortgages to steal property or delay sales. Collier County residents can now get notified when any document is recorded against their property.

Sign up today to stay protected:👉 https://cor.collierclerk.com/coraccess/alerts

As always, thank you for allowing us to serve you. We’ll see you next month with more updates, resources, and community highlights!

✅ Need Info Now? Check Out Our Website

Whether you're a homeowner or a business owner, we encourage you to visit our office online at collierappraiser.com. You’ll find:

Tools to file for Homestead Exemption
Resources for Tangible Personal Property
FAQs, forms, deadlines, and more
Contact info, office hours, and directions
And now, the option to sign up for this monthly digest straight to your inbox!

We’re working hard to make your experience with our office as smooth and helpful as possible — 24/7. Did you know you can now do a self-service data download for your files? Learn more, along with instructions, on our website at collierappraiser.com.

Invite Us to Speak at Your Next Event

Did you know that educating our community is one of our top priorities? Property Appraiser Vickie A. Downs and our knowledgeable staff love connecting with local residents, real estate professionals, civic groups, and schools to help demystify what our office does — and why it matters. Whether it’s explaining property valuation, homestead exemptions, or how your tax dollars are calculated, we’re here to help! Interested in having a speaker from our office? Email vdowns@collierappraiser.com to request a speaker for your next meeting or event.

Was this email forwarded to you? Want to get the Downs Property Digest delivered to your inbox each month? Subscribe now at DownsPropertyDigest.com.