The assessor shall have the right and power and it shall be his duty to inquire into the purchase price paid for any property, real or personal, and to ascertain and acquaint himself with any sales or transfers of property of like description or value made or effected in the vicinity, within the year or years next preceding the listing for assessment then being made; and the price paid for property at such sales or transfers shall be considered by the assessor in determining the value of property to be listed for assessment.