Ah yes, it is that time of year again when our tax assessments come out. Tax assessments for properties in the Lower Mainland have, for the most part, gone up – some by a significant amount. Why is this, homeowners wonder? Also, is this good news or bad?

What one has to realize is that tax assessments are based upon property values as recorded on July 1st of the previous year.The reasons that tax assessments have gone up this year is because of the busy spring market we had last year. Last spring we had a very active housing market that saw an increase in the selling price for houses, particularly in West Vancouver, Vancouver, Richmond, and South Surrey/White Rock. As a result, the property values went up on our assessments for this year.

So, is this good news or bad news? Well, it all depends upon your perspective. If you intend to remain in your home, a higher assessment means a higher property tax that you will have to pay to your local government. So many homeowners aren’t too thrilled to see their property value go up. However, if you are listing your house for sale, a higher tax assessment is often seen by homeowners as a means of determining its market value. Good news indeed!

Be careful though. Most buyers work with realtors. A realtor’s job is to show their buyers what the property’s market value is. The assessed value of the home is not typically the best indicator of a property’s value. While the land value of a particular property generally remains stable over time, a home is a depreciating asset unless it is regularly maintained and updated. In addition to the land value, to determine the value of a house one needs to consider its location, the style and size of the home, and any updates that have been made to it over the years. While the assessment authority has information regarding land, location, and size, they do not generally know how well maintained and updated a house is. If the house has been sold recently, they have useful information to use for its market value but otherwise, they have to go on generalized sales and market information.

The most useful information to determine the market value of your home is to look at what comparable homes in your neighbourhood have sold for recently – not a year, or six months, ago. This is the  information that a buyer’s realtor will use to help him or her determine what to offer when buying a house.

So good news or bad news? You decide!

Happy New Year to all my clients, friends, and family. I wish to thank you all for your support throughout 2011. In a referral-based industry it means a lot to know that you value working with me and that you trust me enough to recommend me to your family and friends. Thank you and wishing you all the best in 2012.

Open House SATURDAY, November 19 from 2 – 4. Wonderful rancher with lots of extra goodies – enjoy the spacious 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom 1700 sq ft home with an addititional 320 sq ft separate building housing workshop and office. The yard is beautifully landscaped, has two water features, and is well-maintained. There is also room for lots of toys with a double car garage, parking down the side of the house, and an oversize driveway that can easily accomodate 3 vehicles side-by-side. Priced at $659,000!

Wow – great opportunity to buy a 3600+ sq ft house on a 14,500 sq ft lot on Delvista Drive for under $700,000. This home is spacious and in a fantastic neighbourhood. It has been well-taken care of and nicely updated over the years. Check it out under featured listings and then book a showing!

I have just listed this lovely 15oo sq ft townhouse in the Courtyards for $485,000. Well maintained over the years, this former show suite has 3 bdrms, 3 baths, plus a games room, as well as an excellent floorplan. Downsizers alert! There is no need to give up your garden! Gardeners will delight in the private, west-facing, beautifully landscaped yard with its own patio. You can also go ahead and BBQ on the back deck conveniently located off of the kitchen. Wanting to experience the White Rock lifestyle - this townhouse is centrally located and within walking distance to shops, schools and community services. There is also no need to worry about parking. The double car garage easily accomodates two vehicles. The Courtyards welcomes children and pets but rentals are restricted. Pictures and listing information to be posted soon.

I have just listed this  gorgeous 6 yr old White Rock home with panoramic views of Semiahmoo Bay for $1,339,000. Located at 15728 Cliff, this home was built by well-known local builder Thoroughbred Properties, a builder highly regarded for the quality of his construction. This home has over 4300 square feet with 5 bdrms in the main house, as well as a registered 2 bdrm suite. This home is a really versatile space. On the top floor there is a master bedroom, living room, kitchen, eating area, and dining room – all with views of Semiahmoo Bay. There is also an additional bedroom which could be used as an office. The lower floor has 3 bedrooms, all of which have their own full ensuite bath. There is also a lovely large family room. On the lowest level there is a two bedroom suite legal suite. If desired, the second bedroom can be used for the main house. This house has been well-designed, well-built, and shows beautifully. Pictures, floorplan, and listing information coming soon.

Lovely top floor corner unit facing Bakerview Park. This 1235 sq ft condo has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and has been nicely updated. Enjoy the new white cabinets and countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as new stainless steel appliances. The laundry room/pantry off of the kitchen is also home to a new washer and dryer. This home is centrally located in South Surrey/White Rock and is ready to move-in! At $309,500, it is also wonderfully affordable.

I was happy to see that Surrey residents voted Uli’s Restaurant as the home of the best burger in Surrey for the second year in a row. This may seem strange because as someone with Celiac disease I have not had a burger in over 20 years. That is, not until last weekend at Uli’s Restaurant, a local favourite in White Rock.

People with Celiac disease can not have rye, barley, or wheat (oats is under debate) – the diet has to be gluten-free. Fast-food restaurants have always been a challenge, but even many “fine dining” restaurants are surprisingly limited in menu choices for people with Celiac disease. Also, some restauranteurs and their waiters are not as helpful as others at supporting diners with food restrictions.

Not so at Uli’s. I have always found the service and food there to be excellent. Tyson Blume, the owner, is welcoming and always enjoys talking about his food menu and beverage choices. When I was there last weekend I was thrilled to be told that they had a gluten-free hamburger bun. I was initially sceptical, as fellow Celiacs may understand, as gluten free products such as this can often be disappointing. However, I am pleased to say that the bun was delicious and their 2.0 hamburger was definitely worthy of winning the top burger award.

So, if you know anyone who suffers from Celiac Disease and has missed having burgers, take them to Uli’s. And even if you don’t have to eat gluten-free, I can recommend checking out the 2.0. Nice to have another great restaurant to recommend in South Surrey/White Rock!

Come and see this lovely unit at 203 – 15809 Marine Drive – Vista Del Mar at my open house on Sunday, August 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 in South Surrey/White Rock. This is a beautiful building that has been completely rainscreened and has new windows, new balconies, a new roof, and a totally refinshed interior. This condo is at the front of the building, perfectly situated to enjoy the views of the park, ocean, and mountains. At over 1200 sq ft, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious rooms, and two parking spots you won’t be giving up anything to move in here. There is also a large in-suite laundry room with storage as well as a separate storage locker.

This building has no age restrictions, does  not allow rentals, and allows for one cat. At $467,000 it is waiting to welcome you home!