Balconies, stucco trim around windows and a clay tile roof will all add value to a property. A house with a perfectly square shape and "not enough going on" with the wall angles is deemed excellent - one grade down from superior, Schutzendorf said as he drove through a neighborhood in the Old Northeast area of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Schutzendorf's job lends itself to some subjectivity, but most aspects of it are based on objective observation and consistency - a new in-ground pool will add value to a property, lawn sculptures won't. If a wood deck in the middle of a yard measures less than 100 square feet, it's not included in the assessed value.

Even if their assessments are largely based on a list, county appraisers play a significant role in a homeowner's life. They determine a property's valuation, which in turn is used to calculate property taxes. Their findings can mean a healthy boost in equity for homeowners, which can be good news when it comes time to secure a loan or sell the house.

But as a home's assessed value rises, so do property taxes, leaving some homeowners struggling to pay - and eager to blame the appraiser. That's been an especially touchy topic in recent years as Florida's superheated real estate market has boosted taxes and insurance rates in giant leaps.

"You're not Mr. Popular when you do this," said Schutzendorf, 28.

The task of placing a value on Pinellas County's 513,000 property parcels is even more challenging when you consider it is the most densely developed in the state, said Ron Anderson, the county's deputy for appraisals. Florida, home to one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country, has laws capping the increase in value at 3 percent a year for a homesteaded property - a homeowner's permanent, primary residence - and a homestead exemption that provides property owners with a $25,000 tax benefit that is calculated into the home's taxable value.

Schutzendorf came to work for Pinellas County in 2002 with experience as a land surveyor, and a sociology degree from Florida State University, where he also earned a certificate in urban planning. Most appraisers hired in recent years have college degrees, Anderson said, and complete several months of training before working in the field.

But an appraiser's eye for property is really honed on the job, where they learn to make a quick inventory of what carries true value and what doesn't - items that often surprise homeowners.

An open area covered with a roof carries value; rain gutters don't. A novelty mailbox shaped like a dolphin carries no value; storm shutters do. Bay windows that jut out from the side of a house are excluded from the footage of the house unless they extend to the floor.

The role of the appraiser's office is not to shape the markets, but to react to them. Schutzendorf doesn't step in until a property is sold, so he says his opinions on a property's market value don't matter. He said that people who come into Florida from real estate markets such as California may be willing to pay much more for a property than the county's assessed value.

"The guy from California thinks he's getting a good deal; the guy who's selling the house is getting a good deal," Schutzendorf said. "As long as both people are happy."

That doesn't stop friends from asking his opinion on property and financing. Most of the time, he tells them he's not equipped to give them an answer unless he's in front of a computer, but he will advise people with mortgages to put more money in escrow and contact their insurance companies. That way, when tax and insurance bills rise, the extra money in escrow will keep monthly payments from sneaking up, he said.

Even if it isn't his job to guide St. Petersburg housing markets, Schutzendorf is aware of real estate trends. He will review 3,033 properties this year out of 9,000 in Area 8, his section of northeast St. Petersburg, reaching from Fifth Avenue Northeast to 54th Avenue Northeast, and from the Tampa Bay to First Street North.

Knowing the trends also allows him to spot houses that would sell quickly. People are really looking for big open porches, Schutzendorf said while driving toward downtown. He pointed out one bungalow-style house worth about $400,000 that would "not be a big deal on paper" because of its simple rectangular layout. Its features, however, signal an "old Florida appeal" that is very popular - big porch, bead boarding, arched doorways.

Schutzendorf said his job is mainly about accuracy and consistency, but he also needs savvy to handle property owners who see him as the culprit behind rising tax bills.

The appraiser's office does not have any control over the tax rates, just the valuation. People are surprised to find out how much value their properties have, and then get frustrated with the tax burden.

Schutzendorf shares details about his own property to reassure residents in his area that he can sympathize with them. He pays $3,000 a year in property taxes for the $175,800 home in Seminole he shares with his wife.

When he meets property owners on fixed incomes who can't keep up with their property taxes or insurance payments, he said all he can do is listen.

"I can't do anything about it, but at that moment, I'm the face of everything wrong with their property," Schutzendorf said.

In August, property appraisers will be busy defending their valuations. Truth in millage notices, or TRIM, are sent to property owners notifying them of their right to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board if they disagree with their valuation.

Anderson said there have been between 1,200-1,700 petitions in recent years . Property owners unhappy with the board's decision can file a lawsuit, although they do not have to file a petition before suing. Typically, there are 20 to 30 per year in Pinellas County.

Having someone enter your property, and make judgments, can be stressful for homeowners. Anderson said that particularly since Sept. 11, 2001, people are "very apprehensive," so appraisers display county signs on their cars and always leave hang tags on the doors of the houses they visit.

Schutzendorf sets some additional ground rules for himself. He considers himself a big guy - 6-foot-2, 230 pounds - so he steps back from a door after knocking on it to make sure he's not crowding anyone. He always whistles before opening a gate - there might be a dog - and is careful to close it again when he leaves. If a child is home alone, he'll likely leave a hang tag and come back later.

The home visits Schutzendorf is making this summer are to double-check the accuracy of county records.

He measures the walls of homes and looks for features like patios, decks and pools. Adding a pool can boost a home's value by $15,000 to 21,000, but that value doesn't hold over time as the pool deteriorates.

If he sees tiles or other construction material on the property, he might ask about recent remodelings. If a property owner remodels a kitchen, a permit is filed with the city, and Schutzendorf is prompted to review it. He'll ask if the countertops are solid, if the cabinets are solid wood or wood veneer, and he'll leave out appliances.

Schutzendorf said his job has taught him to be a more diligent property owner. His best advice is to get as much information as possible on your property, including the building material and what taxes and insurances costs are going to be.

"The more you know, the better off you're going to be," Schutzendorf said.