If you own a home in Western Massachusetts or you are thinking about buying one, property taxes are an important part of the equation. But many homeowners and buyers aren't exactly sure how property taxes are calculated, why assessed values change, or why two similarly priced homes in neighboring towns can have very different tax bills.

With 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, property taxes are very local. Here in Western Massachusetts, tax rates can vary considerably from one community to another.

So, how does it all work?