Earlier this month, BC Assessment (BCA) sent property assessment notices 
to property owners who reside within Vancouver.
This annual process is often a confusing one for many commercial and residential property owners. Typically, there is a difference between the property value assessment on the assessment notice and the current market value as determined by a REALTOR®.
This difference is a result of two factors. The first factor involves BCA’s mass appraisal system, which calculates property value by evaluating prices for homes sold in each neighbourhood or for units in
a strata complex and then applies the information to arrive at an assessed value. The variables BCA uses to calculate this value include house type, square footage, age, heating, property classification or use, and additions or demolitions of features such as garages, sheds, pools and spas.
The second factor depends on the time at which a property is assessed. Normally, a 2009 assess-ment notice is BCA’s estimate of a property’s market value as of July 1, 2008, whereas a REALTOR®’s market value reflects the current state of the market, not the market six months ago.
This annual process is often a confusing one for many commercial and residential property owners. Typically, there is a difference between the property value assessment on the assessment notice and the current market value as determined by a REALTOR®.
This difference is a result of two factors. The first factor involves BCA’s mass appraisal system, which calculates property value by evaluating prices for homes sold in each neighbourhood or for units in
a strata complex and then applies the information to arrive at an assessed value. The variables BCA uses to calculate this value include house type, square footage, age, heating, property classification or use, and additions or demolitions of features such as garages, sheds, pools and spas.
The second factor depends on the time at which a property is assessed. Normally, a 2009 assess-ment notice is BCA’s estimate of a property’s market value as of July 1, 2008, whereas a REALTOR®’s market value reflects the current state of the market, not the market six months ago.
Whats New?
Temporary changes to the assessment process by the provincial government makes the 2009 assessment roll somewhat unique.
For this year only, assessment notices will show the assessed value of a property as of both July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008. The lower of these two values is the official 2009 property assessment.
For most properties, this means there will be no change between the 2008 and 2009 assessment. The lower value is the basis upon which 2009 property taxes will be calculated.
The provincial government believes this measure will help stabilize the provincial economy.
Assessments are Up!
Provincially, property values increased by 1.4 per cent over the 2008 assessment roll, to $953 billion from $940 billion last year. Jason Grant, area assessor for the Vancouver Sea to Sky Region, attributes this increase to new construction, though stresses that the new government regulations ensure that property values remain virtually unchanged over last year.
“About 94 per cent of property owners in British Columbia will see identical or lower assessed values on their 2009 property assessment notices compared to last year,” Grant explains.
Temporary changes to the assessment process by the provincial government makes the 2009 assessment roll somewhat unique.
For this year only, assessment notices will show the assessed value of a property as of both July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008. The lower of these two values is the official 2009 property assessment.
For most properties, this means there will be no change between the 2008 and 2009 assessment. The lower value is the basis upon which 2009 property taxes will be calculated.
The provincial government believes this measure will help stabilize the provincial economy.
Assessments are Up!
Provincially, property values increased by 1.4 per cent over the 2008 assessment roll, to $953 billion from $940 billion last year. Jason Grant, area assessor for the Vancouver Sea to Sky Region, attributes this increase to new construction, though stresses that the new government regulations ensure that property values remain virtually unchanged over last year.
“About 94 per cent of property owners in British Columbia will see identical or lower assessed values on their 2009 property assessment notices compared to last year,” Grant explains.
There is an appeal process for those who think their assessments don’t reflect market value as of July 1, 2008 or July 1, 2007. To appeal your assessed value or correct information on the assessment notice, contact the BCA office indicated on your assessment notice as soon as possible.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.
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