Why Two Homes on the Same Kelowna Street Can Have Very Different BC Assessments
You can have two homes side by side in Kelowna and see very different BC Assessments. That feels confusing—but there’s a reason. The short version: BC Assessment uses averages. Buyers don’t.
BC Assessment Sees Averages — Buyers Don’t
BC Assessment uses a mass appraisal system. That means:
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Big data
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Broad areas
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Standard assumptions
Buyers do the opposite. They notice:
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Noise
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Sun
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Views
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Privacy
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How the home feels
That gap is why two homes on the same street can land far apart in value.
Micro-Location Factors That Change Value
Small details can make a big difference:
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Busy road vs interior lot
Traffic noise and safety matter more than people think. -
Views
Lake, valley, or mountain views often push values higher. -
Privacy
Backing onto trees beats backing onto another house. -
Walkability
Close to schools, parks, shops, or beaches usually helps. -
School catchments
Being inside (or outside) a preferred school zone can shift demand.
These don’t always show up cleanly in an assessment model.
Real Kelowna Examples (Patterns You’ll See)
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Condos:
Same building, same floor plan—very different values if one faces the lake and another faces the parking lot. -
Family pockets:
Quiet cul-de-sacs often outperform the rest of the street. -
Road exposure:
Homes near main roads usually sell for less than interior homes. -
Waterfront:
Even small differences in frontage or exposure can mean huge swings.
Why This Matters for Taxes, Appeals, and Pricing
This matters more than most homeowners realize:
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Property taxes:
An average-based value can feel unfair on a unique lot. -
Appeals:
Strong appeals focus on micro-location, not emotions. -
Pricing mistakes:
Sellers who price off the assessment alone often miss the mark—high or low.
The assessment is a starting point, not a pricing strategy.
Curious about your street?
If you want to know how your exact location compares—not just your neighbourhood average—I’m happy to break it down for you.
Mark Coons, BBA, CE
REALTOR® | eXp Realty Kelowna
Team Lead, Selling Okanagan Group
Relocated to Kelowna in 2018
📞 778-744-0872
📩 [email protected]
