Ben Schmidt

Welcome to the show, this is the 5 part video series where we are taking a look at property taxes and the issues surrounding them on behalf of homeowners across New Brunswick. We are very luck today to have Jason Purdy of the New Democratic Party on the show. He is an electoral candidate in the Fredericton-Lincoln riding. Thank you for joining us today Jason

Jason - "Thanks for having me here Ben.

Ben - "Not a problem.

Jason - "So as you're well aware, the New Brunswick Real Estate Association is lobbying towards the politicians in the upcoming Provincial Election, our concerns for New Brunswick homeowners. So we'd like to ask you a few questions about what you think of these concerns.

Jason - "Great.

Ben - "So the first question we have, is the actual assessment of the properties themselves. Do you feel that it is clear and easy to understand how these assessments are being calculated as well as do you feel that they follow fair market value?

Jason - "As a New Brunswick homeowner, I'd have to say that they are confusing and I think they are just as confusing for the people doing the assessment. There is too much legislature around it, it's a complicated system and it's a complicated pattern. I don't know how they are doing it. So the NDP want to look at that, we want to see how the assessments are being done, so that they are fair market value. When they are not at fair market value it makes for a distorted market and puts all of us at jeopardy when trying to sell our homes and trying to buy homes as we don't know we our try assessment of our home is.

Ben - "There are many difficulties for fixed income or low income families such as seniors that are having a hard time maintaining homeownership because of rising assessments and rates. Do you plan to address this urgent issue?

Jason - "I believe people will be pleasantly surprised and happy when the NDP announces next week [now this week] releases their platform on property tax. We definitely are going to look at that [low/fixed income families]. The double taxation piece puts people, low income families, seniors, students, all in jeopardy. When there is double tax, that money gets put into the rent. So it makes it very difficult for people to be renting homes or apartments. We feel it needs to be a fairer system. So by looking at the assessment values as well as the double tax we feel we will create a better system. Currently the Liberal government and the Conservatives are promising tax freezes and those types of things revolving around property assessment. However the services that are being provided are being done municipally. So that puts strain on the municipal government, because if the government puts a freeze on the assessments or puts a freeze on the property tax, the municipal governments may have to raise their taxes in order to receive their revenue.

Ben - "You answered my next questions as well about double tax, so that's great. Jason thank you very much for joining us today and good luck with your race.

If you'd like to get in touch with Jason Purdy to talk about these issues the best way to reach him would be www.nbndp.ca or call the office 506-454-8389 or find me on facebook or twitter @jason__p

If you have any questions about property taxes or a question for a Realtor in general you can email me at ben.schmidt@me.com