Most District of Squamish property owners can expect to see similar 2010 property assessments to those of last year, in the mail within the next few days.
"The majority of property owners in the District of Squamish will see assessments similar to the 2009 assessment roll. Typical changes for most residential property owners will be in the negative five per cent to positive 10 per cent range," Jason Grant, regional assessor for Vancouver Sea to Sky region, BC Assessment said in a news release Monday (Jan. 4.)
This year the assessment role for the municipality, which includes more than 8, 600 Squamish property owners, has increased from $3.64 billion in 2009 to $3.87 billion. The assessments estimate the property's market value as of July 2009 and any changes from last year to this year's assessments reflect the dynamics of the local real estate market and can vary greatly from one property to another, according to the BC Assessment news release. The overall increase in property value within the municipality includes approximately $134 billion of subdivisions, rezoning and new construction.
An appraiser estimates the value of the property by considering several factors including the size of the home, age, quality, condition, view and location as well as the current nearby sales of similar types of properties.
Residents wishing to compare their properties with others can do so online at www.bcassessment.ca.
Grant said if anyone feels their assessment is inaccurate of current property values or contains incorrect information, they should contact the BC Assessment office indicated on their assessment as soon as possible. Any property owner who is still concerned with the assessment can submit an official appeal to the Property Assessment Review Panel by Feb. 1.
The independent appointed panel is scheduled to hear formal complaints between Feb. 2 and March 15.
The Vancouver Sea to Sky assessment office is located at Suite 200- 2925 Virtual Way in Vancouver. Office hours in January are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
