Some neighborhoods in Federal Way and nearby cities saw dramatic increased in property values in 2020, according to the King County Assessor’s Office.

Re-valuation notices will be delivered to local taxpayers soon as part of the King County Assessor’s office annual process, the office said on May 20.

Median residential property values rose by 16.8% in the Steel Lake and Star Lake neighborhoods of Federal Way in 2020. Nearby, property values rose by 17.9% in Auburn’s West Hill; by 18.7% in the Woodmont and Redondo neighborhoods,; and by 18.2% in Jovita, according to the assessor’s office.

Each year, county assessors set values on every commercial and residential property value in the state, effective Jan. 1 by state law. These values are then applied to the next year’s tax bill. Property values are being set as of Jan. 1 this year for taxes due in 2022.

Despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, data indicates that home sale prices and overall home values have had a sharp increase in most King County neighborhoods, according to the assessor’s office.

“No one knew what to expect a little over a year ago when this public health emergency began,” said county assessor John Wilson. “Now it is clear that a primary impact on property values has been caused by homeowners not wanting to sell at this time, leading to reduced supply and big price and value increases.”