Information is power: NB giving more of both to citizens

I have worked in the real estate industry for the last three years. In New Brunswick a lot of real estate professionals have run into a challenge somewhat unique to our province. We didn't have access to the affidavits of consideration that say how much people and companies have paid for properties.

If I understand a recent Times and Transcript article and Provincial press release this information will soon be available to the public.

By making this information public property owners can now have better information when they get their property tax assessments. Now if a citizen wishes to appeal their property tax assessment they (or a professional they hire) can look at similar property sales prices to determine if the property in question is assessed for a reasonable amount.

Knowing what properties sell for can also help people buying property, or people who are facing expropriation.

If this information is put online for free or cheap, much of the information inequality in our province's real estate market will be removed.

***UPDATE (March 13, 2009) ***
This information is now provided for free as part of the province's assessment search tool (https://www.planet.snb.ca/ANONDB/anon002$.startup).