Kitimat sees largest of increases as BC Assessment Notices for 2019 head for the mailbox

Some of the first mail that residents of Northwestern BC will receive will give them a glimpse of the value of their homes, with BC Assessments ringing in their new year with the annual delivery of home assessments for 2019.

This year, the spotlight will be directed towards the Kitimat region, which after years of static and at times declining numbers will see a significant jump upwards in the assessed values for homes in the community with a 20 per cent jump from last years numbers.

The city which is currently in the thrall of enthusiasm over LNG development was one of two northern BC communities to see such levels of increase, with Valemount also jumping to 18 percent.

Only four communities saw a decline in assessment levels, with the Municipality of Rocky Mountains recording the largest dip set at 23 per cent.

"The majority of residential home owners within the region can expect a moderate increase compared to last year's assessment,"  ... "There are some exceptions to this such as Kitimat where owners's will see increases of 20 per cent or greater. Also, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality where there have been decreases in the range of 20 per cent or more." -- Deputy Assessor Jarret Krantz. 

Around the remaining areas of the Northwest, Terrace also saw a spike upwards, recording a nine per cent change, with Stewart jumping 13 percent.

At the other end of the listings Smithers and Prince Rupert both recorded but a one percent increase from last years numbers.

The median numbers for the North Coast, Northwest and Haida Gwaii look as follows

North Coast 

Port Edward -- 4%

2019 --- $197,500
2018 -- $188,750

Prince Rupert  -- 1%

2019 -- $268,000
2018 -- $264,300

************************************************************************

NorthWest region (West of Burns Lake)

Kitimat  -- 20%

2019 -- $235,000
2018 -- $195,700

Stewart -- 13%

2019 -- $110,800
2018 -- $97,750

Burns Lake -- 13 %

2019 -- $148,900
2018 -- $131,600

Terrace -- 9%

2019 -- $312,000
2018 -- $286,050

Telkwa --  8%

2019 -- 257,800
2018 -- 238,950

Hazelton -- 7%

2019 -- $114,350
2018 -- 106,300

Houston -- 2%

2019 -- $150,600
2018 -- $147,700

New Hazelton  -- 1%

2019 -- $111,500
2018 -- $109,600

Smithers -- 1%

2019 -- 286,000
2018 -- $283,000

************************************************************************

Haida Gwaii

Masset -- 12%

2019 -- $97,900
2018 -- $86,750

Queen Charlotte -- 11%

2019 -- $167,300
2018 -- $150,400

Port Clements -- 9%

2019 -- $68,800
2018 -- $63,050


The largest city in Northern BC saw a ten percent rise in assessed values with Prince George showing a median value of $296,000 for 2019, compared to $270,000 in 2018.

The full listing for all communities of Northern BC can be reviewed from the BC Assessment background notes from yesterday found here.

When it comes to the top end assessments for Northern British Columbia, Prince Rupert doesn't crack the list of 100 until the 60th spot,  with a Graham Avenue property marked with a Total Taxable value of 1,022,000.

That was the only Prince Rupert property that made it to the the top 100 list for Northern British Columbia.

2 rural properties and an urban one from Terrace are included in the top 100; while 1 rural property in Smithers round out the Northwest contributions to the 100 club.

The full list of the 100 top assessed properties can be reviewed here.

To help you better understand how the assessment process works, BC assessment has included a video presentation to explain the system in place in the province.




You can do your own comparison of properties near your own through the BC Assessment website, which features a search engine to allow you a snap shot of property valuations in your neighbourhood.

A new feature this year on the BC Assessments website allows property owners to unlock additional property search features, where they can access an interactive map  and create an account to store and access favourite searches and create comparison.

That enhanced information requires a registration here.

Should you be looking to request an independent review of the assessment of your property you have until January 31st to file your written notice of complaint.

The review of the key dates related to the BC assessment process can be examined here.

You can contact the Terrace office for BC assessments for more details on your property assessment questions.

For more items related to Housing issues around the Northwest see our archive page here.


To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.