B.C. government increases homeowner grant limit

The British Columbia government is boosting the homeowner grant threshold to $2.125 million for this year as average property values increase by 12 per cent.

The government says in a statement that resetting the threshold from $1.975 million means about 92 per cent of residential properties will be eligible for the grant, which reduces property tax on a principal residence.

The basic grant for those who live in their homes in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Capital Regional District is $570 and as much as $845 for those over 65, who are veterans or who have a disability.

For homeowners in northern and rural areas, the basic grant is $770 or $1,045 for veterans, those with a disability or people over 65.

BC Assessment says in a statement the valuations released Tuesday show estimates from last July, when the total value of real estate assessed in the province reached $2.27 trillion.

The agency says that while some people may be worried about their taxes going up if they’ve had a large hike in the value of their home, the most important factor is how much the value has changed relative to the average increase of properties in their area.

The highest valued home in the province is a $74 million Vancouver waterfront mansion and compound owned by Lululemon founder Chip Wilson.

Here are the average assessed values of single-family homes in 2023 for some areas of B.C. along with the percentage change:

Vancouver, $2.125 million, a 7 per cent increase.

Whistler, $2.902 million, an 11 per cent increase.

Surrey, $1.609 million, up 13 per cent.

Victoria, $1.157 million, up 8 per cent.

Duncan, $591,000, a 13 per cent increase.

Tofino, $1.616 million, up 20 per cent.

Port Alice, $261,000, down 1 per cent.

Kelowna, $988,000, up 14 per cent

Osoyoos, $685,000, up 14 per cent.

Merritt, $475,000, a 14 per cent increase.

Castlegar, $497,000, up 18 per cent.

Nelson, $675,000, up 5 per cent.

Village of New Denver, $361,000, a 26 per cent increase.

100 Mile House, $405,000, up 26 per cent.

Fort St. John, $343,000, a four per cent increase.

Fraser Lake, $204,000, a 31 per cent increase.

Prince George, $450,000, a 12 per cent increase.

Valemount, $345,000, a 28 per cent hike.

(The Canadian Press)