New Paragraph

Property Taxes

Cory Vance • January 25, 2022

You should have received your 2022 property tax assessments in the mail over the past two weeks. Your property assessment reflects the "estimated value" of your property on July 1, 2021, along with your property characteristics and condition on Dec 31, 2021. Your property tax bill will be a function of two factors: 1) Your Property’s Assessed Value and 2) The City Council Approved increase for the year. This year instead of property value decreases (seen over the past few years) we will experience a tax increase combined with a value increase which will make this increase more impactful than the past few years.


How does the city know the condition of your property on a specific date? Good question. How do they even know what sort of upgrades and finishings you have inside your house? The short answer is they do not. So it is important to note a property assessment is NOT to be confused with your current market value. 

 

 If you are thinking about selling your property, it would be best to talk to a realtor who will be able to give you a better idea of current market values along with current market conditions.


Current market conditions to start 2022 are definitely in the favour of sellers with all time lows in MLS listings. Thinking about selling? This may be one of the best times in years. For those looking to upgrade it may take some patience. 


Need a realtor?  EMAIL me and I can connect you with the best. With the current shortage of supply in the market, homes are selling quicker and for more money than they were even six months ago.   

 

Your value on your property tax assessment CAN and does impact your property taxes. For 2022 the City of Calgary has seen property assessment values increase by almost 10% over the previous year. This was based on a typical residential home of $485,000 which is up from $445,000. 

 

City council has proposed an overall tax increase of 3.87% for 2022, but we will see when they are mailed out in May. 


You can estimate your property taxes with the city’s property tax calculator by clicking HERE. 

 

Feel like disputing your property assessment,

click this LINK


2022 key dates

  • Jan. 5 to March 14, 2022 – Customer Review Period
  • May 2022 – property tax bill mailing
  • June 30, 2022 – property tax due date


More questions on property taxes, property values or want to talk about mortgages call 403-614-9211 

or EMAIL. 


Share

RECENT POSTS  


By Cory Vance July 29, 2025
If you’re looking to do some home renovations but don’t have all the cash up front to pay for materials and contractors, here are a few ways to use mortgage financing to bring everything together. Existing Home Owners - Mortgage Refinance Probably the most straightforward solution, if you’re an existing homeowner, would be to access home equity through a mortgage refinance. Depending on the terms of your existing mortgage, a mid-term mortgage refinance might make good financial sense; there’s even a chance of lowering your overall cost of borrowing while adding the cost of the renovations to your mortgage. As your financial situation is unique, it never hurts to have the conversation, run the numbers, and look at your options. Let’s talk! If you're not in a huge rush, it might be worth waiting until your existing term is up for renewal. This is a great time to refinance as you won’t incur a penalty to break your existing mortgage. Now, regardless of when you refinance, mid-term or at renewal, you’re able to access up to 80% of the appraised value of your home, assuming you qualify for the increased mortgage amount. Home Equity Line of Credit Instead of talking with a bank about an unsecured line of credit, if you have significant home equity, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) could be a better option for you. An unsecured line of credit usually comes with a pretty high rate. In contrast, a HELOC uses your home as collateral, allowing the lender to give you considerably more favourable terms. There are several different ways to use a HELOC, so if you’d like to talk more about what this could look like for you, connect anytime! Buying a Property - Purchase Plus Improvements If you’re looking to purchase a property that could use some work, some lenders will allow you to add extra money to your mortgage to cover the cost of renovations. This is called a purchase plus improvements. The key thing to keep in mind is that the renovations must increase the value of the property. There is a process to follow and a lot of details to go over, but we can do this together. So if you’d like to discuss using your mortgage to cover the cost of renovating your home, please connect anytime!
By Cory Vance July 16, 2025
The idea of owning a vacation home—your own cozy escape from everyday life—is a dream many Canadians share. Whether it’s a lakeside cabin, a ski chalet, or a beachside bungalow, a second property can add lifestyle value, rental income, and long-term wealth. But before you jump into vacation home ownership, it’s important to think through the details—both financial and practical. Start With Your 5- and 10-Year Plan Before you get swept away by the perfect view or your dream destination, take a step back and ask yourself: Will you use it enough to justify the cost? Are there other financial goals that take priority right now? What’s the opportunity cost of tying up your money in a second home? Owning a vacation home can be incredibly rewarding, but it should fit comfortably within your long-term financial goals—not compete with them. Financing a Vacation Property: What to Consider If you don’t plan to pay cash, then financing your vacation home will be your next major step. Mortgage rules for second properties are more complex than those for your primary residence, so here’s what to think about: 1. Do You Have Enough for a Down Payment? Depending on the type of property and how you plan to use it, down payment requirements typically range from 5% to 20%+ . Factors like whether the property is winterized, the purchase price, and its location all come into play. 2. Can You Afford the Additional Debt? Lenders will calculate your Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total Debt Service (TDS) ratios to assess whether you can take on a second mortgage. GDS: Should not exceed 39% of your income TDS: Should not exceed 44% If you’re not sure how to calculate these, that’s where I can help! 3. Is the Property Mortgage-Eligible? Remote or non-winterized properties, or those located outside of Canada, may not qualify for traditional mortgage financing. In these cases, we may need to look at creative lending solutions . 4. Owner-Occupied or Investment Property? Whether you’ll live in the home occasionally, rent it out, or use it strictly as an investment affects what type of financing you’ll need and what your tax implications might be. Location, Location… Logistics Choosing the right vacation property is more than just finding a beautiful setting. Consider: Current and future development in the area Available municipal services (sewer, water, road maintenance) Transportation access – how easy is it to get to your vacation home in all seasons? Resale value and long-term potential Seasonal access or weather challenges What Happens When You’re Not There? Unless you plan to live there full-time, you'll need to consider: Will you rent it out for extra income? Will you hire a property manager or rely on family/friends? What’s required to maintain valid home insurance while it’s vacant? Planning ahead will protect your investment and give you peace of mind while you’re away. Not Sure Where to Start? I’ve Got You Covered. Buying a vacation home is exciting—but it can also be complicated. As a mortgage broker, I can help you: Understand your financial readiness Calculate your GDS/TDS ratios Review down payment and lending requirements Explore creative solutions like second mortgages , reverse mortgages , or alternative lenders Whether you’re just starting to dream or ready to take action, let’s build a plan that gets you one step closer to your ideal getaway. Reach out today—it would be a pleasure to work with you.

STAY INFORMED

Subscribe to my newsletter

STAY INFORMED