The average home on the Sunshine Coast just became more affordable.

From the just-released B.C. Budget:

"Budget 2016 introduces a new full exemption from the property transfer tax on newly constructed homes (including condominiums) priced up to $750,000. This exemption will save purchasers up to $13,000 on a newly constructed home ... The cost of this measure will be offset by adding a third tier to the property transfer tax rate, increasing the rate to 3% from 2% on the fair market value of property above $2 million."

Read the full buget at www.bcbudget.ca

Assessments on the Sunshine Coast are up between 0 and 15 percent, on average, less than the 15 to 25 percent in the rest of the GVRD.

BC Assessment has launched a newly-enhanced website at bcassessment.ca that includes more details about 2016 assessments, property information and trends such as lists of 2016’s top most valuable residential properties across the province. The website also provides self-service access to the free online e-valueBC service that allows anyone to search, check and compare 2016 property assessments anywhere in the province.