10 • LETTERS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012 - SOOKE NEWS MIRROR
www.sookenewsmirror.com
Real estate markets and assessments Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Property assessments can be appealed There is no doubt the real estate market in 2011 was sluggish and that prices have softened making it an ideal time for buyers. As in most areas sales rose in the summer months and remained relatively unchanged in the winter months leading to the holiday season. In December, 2011 residential single family homes in Sooke showed 10 sales with an average price of $395,120 up slightly from the six month average of $376,250. Interesting to note is that the average price in neighbouring Metchosin was $570,000 (likely larger properties); Langford $524,059, Colwood $445,614 and Sidney $506,944. The average price for a single family home in the Greater Victoria area, which includes Sooke, was $592,582. One condominium sold in Sooke for $212,500. The average
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2012 Property assessment notices are out. price in the GV region was $312,066. The closest average price to Sooke’s was $235,000 in Esquimalt. Townhouse sales in Sooke amounted to two with an average price of $271,250. Manufactured homes sales amounted to two with an average price of $66,000. No lots or acreages were sold in December 2011. Assessment notices Assessment notices for 2012 have been sent to homeowners. On average the local trend is a slight decrease in assessments in Sooke. The 2010 assessment roll in Sooke was $402,000, in 2012 $402,000.
Property owners who feel their property assessment does not reflect the market value as of July 1, 2011 or see incorrect information on their notice should contact the BC Assessment office as soon as possible in January. They may submit a Notice of Complaint (Appeal) by January 31 for an independent review by a Property Assessment Review Panel.
The Capital assessment office is located at Ste. 102-3350 Douglas Street in Victoria. Assessments are the estimate of a property’s value as of July 1, 2011 and physical condition as of October 31, 2011. The common valuation date ensures there is a equitable property assessment base for property taxation. Changes in property assessments reflect movement in the local real estate market and can vary greatly from property to property. Professional appraisers analyze current sales in the area, as well as considering other characteristics such as size, age, quality, condition, view and location. For more information on the 2012 assessment roll and regional province-wide real estate market trends, visit www.bcassessment.ca and clock on the 2012 assessment roll information link.
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #54 Phone: 250-642-5913 BONA FIDE GUESTS ALWAYS WELCOME
Why not make it your Legion
ROBBIE BURNS
Notice of meeting
Land Use Committee of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Date: Time: Place:
January 17, 2012 7:00pm Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Office #2 – 6868 West Coast Road, Sooke, BC
1. Development Permit with Variance Applications a) DP-31-11 - Lot A, Section 98, Sooke District, Plan 23047 Except Part in Plan 23938 (Waller/Letain – 6084 Timberdoodle Road) b) DP-32-11 - Lot 6, Section 44, Sooke District, Plan 1958 (Pollock – 7726 Davidson Road) 2. Development Variance Permit Application a) VAR-09-11 – Lot 20, Section 15, Otter District, Plan VIP87643 (Hacmanjek – 7574 LeMare Crescent) 3. Agricultural Land Reserve Application for Inclusion a) ALR-01-11 - Lots 1 and 2, Section 30, Otter District, Plan 13987 (Shaw – 2322 Kemp Lake Road)
In Support of the Sooke Pipes and Drums Sunday, January 29th, 2012
TRADITIONAL ROAST BEEF AND HAGGIS
For a mere $35.00 you will get a roast beef and haggis dinner along with some great entertainment. You will also be thrilled by the live auction and the less action packed silent auction. Limited seating. Dress - Semi-Formal.
Metal roofs are attractive and come in a broad spectrum of colors and designs.
Metal roofs are low maintenance and long lasting, resisting decay, discoloration and mildew. Metal roofs have excellent performance in wind resistance, water, snow, and ice shedding. They are also hail resistant. Metal roofs provide an excellent method for re-roofing existing roofs and increase your building’s value. Metal roofs are energy efficient.
WE’VE MOVED! 875 Viewfield Rd.
250-382-5154
The Pastor's Pen For a few weeks leading up to Christmas we greet each other with the phrase “ Merry Christmas” then for a week or so we change to “ Happy New Year”. Why do we do this, what meaning lies behind these phrases? Why only this time of year? STOP AY THIS POINT AND PONDER THESE QUESTIONS.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; the lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” “So they shall put my name on the children of Israel, (us) and I will bless them.”
Hosted by R Team
ANNIVERSARIES BIRTHDAYS GROUP PARTIES WELCOME!
$
Metal Roofing Metal roofing is non-combustible and provides fire resistance.
Steak Night 6:00-7:30 PM ONLY
Benefits of
Call for your FREE Quote
Tickets available from any member of the Sooke Pipes and Drums and at the RCL Bar.
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GENERAL MEETING
Larry Rumsby
The difference between the two? Would it not seem that God (the Lord) wants us to grant / offer His Blessing rather than “our” blessing, thereby keeping His name and His Love before us.
St. Rose of Lima
7pm Tuesday Jan 24 Short Mat Bowling 1-3 pm Euchre 7 pm - Pool
MONDAY’S
FRIDAY’S TUESDAY’S
Texas Hold’em 6:45 pm - Pool
4. Rezoning Application a) Z-02-11 – Lot 1, Section 36, Township 13, Renfrew District, Plan VIP50819 (Port Renfrew Recreation Centre)
WEDNESDAY’S
Darts League 12:00 noon Shuffle Board 6:30 pm - Pool
Due to advertising deadline, other items may be included on the agenda. Please call 250.642.1500 for confirmation.
FRIDAY’S
Comments on agenda items can be submitted before noon January 17, 2012 by email to jdfinfo@crd.bc.ca or be submitted at the meeting. Staff reports will be available after January 12, 2012 on the CRD website at: www.crd.bc.ca/reports/juandefucalandusecom_/2012_/ index.htm or can be viewed at our office at 2-6868 West Coast Road, Sooke, Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
A Metal Roof Won’t Let You Down!
This past Sunday the Old Testament reading was from Numbers 6.22-27 wherein God gives Moses this blessing formula to give to Aaron and his sons with which to bless the children of Israel.
Come Celebrate with us the 23rd birthday of
Scotland’s Greatest Poet
Capital Regional District
DISCOVER YOUR LEAKING ROOF JUST WON’T HOLD UP ANY LONGER?
THURSDAY’S
CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY SOOKE HARBOUR
6851 West Coast Road Pastor Eduardo Aristizabal SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00am 250.642.4822
Cribbage 7 pm - Pool
Short Mat Bowling 1-3 pm Drop in Darts 8:00 pm
SATURDAY MEAT DRAW
EVERY SATURDAY @ 3:00P.M.
SPECIAL MEAT DRAW JAN. 28, 2012
HOLY TRINITY Anglican Church 1962 Murray Road | 250-642-3172 HOLY COMMUNION SERVICES Sunday & Wednesday 10am Saturday 5pm Revs Dr. Alex and Nancy Nagy www.holytrinitysookebc.org
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2110 Church Rd | 250-642-4124 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:15 am Pre-Service Singing 10:30 am Family worship Rev. Dr Gordon Kouwenberg Parents Room and well equipped Nursery
SOOKE BAPTIST CHURCH 7110 West Coast Road | 250-642-3424 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 am Children, youth & adult ministries Pastor Dwight Geiger Email sookebaptistchurch@telus.net
ST. ROSE OF LIMA Roman Catholic Parish 6221 Sooke Rd. | 250-642-3945 | Fax: 778-425-3945 Saturday Mass 5pm | Sunday Mass, 10 am Thursday Mass 10:30 am Children’s Religious Ed: Sat. 3:45pm Office Hours: Tue-Wed 10-2, Thurs 2pm-4pm Rev. Fr. Michael Favero
Sponsored by Brenda Parkinson
BLUE GRASS MUSIC 1ST AND 3RD SUNDAY UNTIL MAY 28, 2012. 2:30 - 5:00 PM
BURGER AND DOGS FOR SALE