Nanci Fulton

If you live in Squamish, most likely you’ve engaged in a conversation this week about how crazy the local real estate market is right now. Although these conversations may be getting tiresome (and frustrating for many), the state of the current market is newsworthy and the sales prices have soared astronomically in the past year. Driven by factors such as Vancouver’s booming market fueled by overseas investors, low interest rates and a healthy BC economy- the perfect conditions have presented for a strong real estate market in Squamish.

New developments coming to town are likely to increase interest in Squamish and could possibly calm the climbing prices. Here we will look at the median home sales price over the last year for the townhouse and detached property market.

Median Sales Price- Townhomes

In January 2015 the median sales price for a townhome in Squamish was $399,900, at this time the average days on the market was 16 and the total inventory was 27. Fast forward to May 2016 and the average sales price is $525,000 (that’s $125,100 more), days on the market has dropped to ten and total inventory to 20.

Median Sales Price- Detached Homes

At the beginning of 2015 one could purchase a detached home in Squamish for $555,000 which, at the time, seemed expensive compared to a few years earlier when the average price of a detached home was only $389,000 (2011). In January 2015 the average days on the market was 77 (in May 2016 it was 15), and inventory was 96 homes for sale compared to 85 in May. In May 2016 the average price of a detached home sky-rocketed to $887,450 an increase of $332,450 in a little over a year!

So far in June we have seen 43 new listings come on the market, 23 price changes and 24 sold properties. Good news for buyers, we are seeing some price reductions indicating the top of the market may have been reached. Those looking to sell their home only need to look at the numbers to see the value in their property compared to even a year ago. Having practiced real estate in Squamish for over 25 years I have been through some strong markets and also through some very weak and difficult ones. I certainly can say however, that I have never seen a market quite like this before!

Have any questions or comments about the Squamish real estate market? Want to find out what your home may be worth? Contact me today and find out more.

Already this month there have been 53 homes sold, 64 new listings and 18 price changes. If you live in Squamish you’ve probably noticed for-sale signs popping up in your neighbourhood and sold signs quickly following. Many houses are being sold within days of entering the market, above list price and with multiple offers. As the weather heats up, and tourists from around North America start exploring the natural world around us- demand is expected to continue.

Looking back at April we saw the strongest April on record for dollar volume ($40 million). There was a total of 47 homes sold, 16 townhomes, and 36 apartments. Single family homes and apartments/ condos had the most interest while the townhome market appeared to cool slightly in in April.

The Squamish Oceanfront Development was in the news earlier this month; Nexen Beach was officially renamed Newport Beach. Construction has commenced on the oceanfront lands; initial ground-works have begun with the education precinct and parklands are to follow. Read my latest Blog post, Welcome to Newport Beach Squamish, for more information about the Newport Beach Development.

This month saw changes to the contract assignment regulations. A contract assignment is when an interest in property is transferred from the sellers to a new party before completion date. The real estate market in British Columbia, most notably Vancouver, was seeing Realtors and sellers profiting on the hot real estate market by flipping property. New regulations to protect the seller and the buyer stipulate the seller must give consent to assign the contract and any profit from the assignment goes to the initial seller.

As Vancouver’s real estate market continues on at a frenzied pace markets surrounding Vancouver (including Squamish) are feeling the effects. The real estate market in Squamish is expected to continue at a steady pace this summer, making 2016 an excellent time to sell your home.

For more information on Squamish’s real estate market and to find out what your home may be worth contact Nanci.

There’s been a lot of exciting news in Squamish this year and perhaps the most exciting would be the breaking ground of the Squamish Oceanfront Development, now called Newport Beach. On February 3^rd 2016 59 acres of waterfront land transferred from the District of Squamish to Newport Beach Developments Limited Partnership. The construction has begun on Squamish’s waterfront dream set to house 6500 residents, create 2300 jobs and establish over 21 acres of parks, public space and community facilities. The project is expected to take 20 years to complete.

 The sub area plan has been implemented and initial work has already begun. The first order of business is to commence site filling and grubbing. The entire site will be brought up to current flood levels complying with city standards. Once the site preparation is finished construction will start on the Green Tech Centre, Education Complex and Public Park.

The University of British Columbia has signed a statement of cooperation with Newport Developments to establish a Clean Energy Research Centre with some student residences. This synergy will develop sustainable employment in the community and bring Squamish to the forefront of innovation and technology in the renewable energy industry of Canada.

The public park is also one of the first areas to be developed in Newport Beach and will include kilometres of biking trails, green space and waterfront walkways. There isn’t expected to be any interruptions to walkers and bikers at Newport Beach (Nexen Beach) this summer, although some parts of the trail may be closed temporarily.

In terms of real estate development there is lot to be excited about for community members in Squamish and investors. An Oceanfront Hotel will be built in the second phase of the development followed by the first two residential projects in the third phase. The residential developments will be built on the marina boardwalk with further residential developments happening in later stages of the project.

If you are interested in investing in Newport Beach, you are not alone! This development has been attracting investors from all over North America since it started as a whisper years ago. As a Realtor in Squamish for over 25 years I have seen the town go through waves of development and this is certainly the most exciting project I have seen as of yet.

If you would like to stay up to date on the latest happenings of Newport Beach | Squamish Oceanfront Development send me an email nancifulton@shaw.ca and I will add you to my update list. Alternatively, I would be happy to sit down with you and discuss the impact of Newport Beach on Squamish and what it means for the local real estate market.

** Latest News** (June 2016) Construction has started! The ground has broken and construction on the new office building has commenced in Lot 4. Environmental monitoring continues and the foreshore design is underway.

Planning has started on the first major development at Newport Beach, the Green Technoloy Centre which includes the Green Tech Office Building and Research and Development Facility. Here are some artist drawings of the two buildings:

Green Tech Building

Research and Development Facility

Want to stay up to date with the latest development news in Squamish including the Newport Beach Oceanfront Development? Contact me today nancifulton@shaw. 

WOW April has sure seen some action in Squamish’s Real Estate Market! So far this month we have seen 66 new listings come on the market, 76 sales and 10 price changes. Causes for the current market conditions include Vancouver’s real estate market bubble making affordability in Vancouver out of reach more many. People are cashing out, or looking elsewhere and are turning to places like Squamish, The Fraser Valley and the Okanagan instead of the Lower Mainland.

Our current low interest rates are another factor contributing to the fast paced market as is the number of developments recently announced and either confirmed or in final phases of approval. The following developments are generating demand in the Squamish region and are expected to transform the landscape of Squamish over the coming years:

The Squamish Oceanfront Development

Garibaldi at Squamish

Woodfibre LNG

Great Wolf Lodge Resort

Not only this, but Whistler has recently announced a $345 million project, ‘The Renaissance’,  which will feature the biggest indoor waterpark on the continent, an indoor all season training facility, a roller coaster, the Northern hemisphere’s longest suspension bridge, upgrades to both Whistler and Blackcomb mountain, a doubling in size of the bike park and real estate and hotel developments. Of course Whistler is only 30 minutes away from Squamish, which will no doubt further fuel demand for Squamish which is conveniently 30 minutes closer to Vancouver.

Exciting times for this small coastal town! I moved to Squamish in 1988 and sure have seen things change. When I started Real Estate in the late 80's I couldn’t have imagined the town transform into what it is today. I certainly am proud of what Squamish has become and look forward to the continued expansion in the coming years!

We are now two weeks into March and the Squamish Real Estate Market is continuing on at a frenzied pace. We are seeing multiple offer situations and well-priced homes aren’t staying on the market long. Since the first of the month we have seen 48 new listings and 50 sales!

The rain and recent news of Squamish Valley Music Festival’s cancellation hasn’t dampened the real estate market in Squamish. Those considering buying are encouraged to have all of their pre qualifications in order to ensure they don’t miss out. Those looking to sell their Squamish home couldn’t have timed it better. With inventory still at historic lows, and buyer demand at unprecedented highs now is an excellent time to put your home on the market.

Have a look at what BC Real Estate Association’s Chief Economist Cameron Muir had to say about the sizzling real estate market in BC and contributing economic factors.

Looking back to February and Metro Vancouver received the highest selling February on record with 4172 sales, up 36.3 per cent since February 2015. Squamish is no doubt seeing the flow on effect of Metro Vancouver’s real estate market. Many Vancouverites are opting out of the market and turning to more affordable areas like Squamish and the Fraser Valley.

Contact me today with any of your real estate queries or to find out what your home may be worth in today's market!

-Nanci

A lot has been happening in the real estate world this Feburary in Squamish and throughout the country. New mortgage rules which aim to limit risk for lenders and slow the pace of red hot real estate markets came into effect on February 15^th 2015. The new rules stipulate that buyers purchasing a home between $500,000 - $1 million will need to put down a 10% deposit on the portion of the home over $500,000. This means amounts under $500,000 are still subject to a 5% minimum down payment but a home costing $750,000 for example, would require 5% on the initial $500,000 plus 10% on the remaining $250,000.

The BC Budget has announced tax exemption for buyers of new homes up to $750,000. Unlike the previous tax exemption for first-time buyers on homes up to $475,000, this new initiative will be available for all buyers purchasing a new home. On a $750,000 home, the exemption of the property transfer tax will see a savings of $13,000. Those purchasing homes over $2 million will see their property transfer tax increase from 2 to 3 percent.

Locally in Squamish we have seen a typical early spring increase in new listings coming on the market over the last couple weeks pleasing the stockpiles of active buyers in the region. In the last two weeks there has been an increase in listings coming on; and the pace is expected to continue as we move towards spring which is typically one of the busiest times of the year.

In recent weeks there have been announcements that the Squamish Oceanfront Development and Garibaldi at Squamish are getting closer to becoming a reality. The District of Squamish transferred a parcel of district land to a joint partnership developer with construction to commence on the oceanfront park phase of the development in the coming months. Garibaldi at Squamish was given environmental approval subject to forty conditions outlined by the Province; this is a major hurdled cleared by the four seasons resort. Find out more information about both these developments and others in the region.

Now is a great time to list your home for sale. Contact me for more information about what your home may be worth in today’s market.

-Nanci

In the last 2 weeks there have been…

60 new listings

27 sales

9 price changes

This Thursday the District of Squamish is holding a public visioning event where Squamish residents will come together and create a collective vision for 2040. This high level brain-storming session will filter into the Official Community Plan, the approved document paving the way for the vision, goals and objectives determining Squamish’s future. A lot can happen in 24 years, and although it may seem light-years away, the results of Thursday night’s meeting are the first step in shaping Squamish’s future. So what do you see for Squamish in 2040- 24 years from now?

A journey into the past can help reveal the future which lies ahead. Rewind back to 1992- 24 years ago. Squamish, most commonly recognized as the McDonalds on the way to Whistler, had a population of 11,000. The main industry was forestry and the largest employer was Interfor. The drive to both Vancouver and Whistler was along a windy double-lane highway, scenically stunning but alarming accident prone; the drive in those days took an additional 10-15 minutes in both directions. The cost of a 3 bedroom home in Garibaldi Highlands in 1992 was $155,000. That same house today costs $800,000, that’s a remarkable increase of 416 percent.

Squamish sure has changed a lot in 24 years. Gone are the days of the Bowling Alley on 2^nd Ave and the brown, orange and beige Civic Centre. The Olympic boom saw the upgrade of the Sea to Sky Highway, big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot, and Canada’s first Liberal Arts University, Quest University which constructed a campus in Garibaldi Highlands in 2007.

As the rest of the Western world tumbled into a recession, Squamish continued to surge forward with the Sea to Sky Gondola and Squamish Valley Music Festival firmly establishing Squamish on the international stage. The New York Times recently ranked Squamish as one of the top 52 places to go in 2015 and the town’s population reached 17,000 in 2011, a 14.6 percent growth from the previous census in 2006.

No longer is Squamish just a pit-stop town on the way to Whistler or a bedroom community of Vancouver. People are moving to Squamish in droves because of what it offers, not only because of what it’s close to. The rock-climbing, mountain biking and wind-surfing are drivers for both locals and tourists. The demographic shift to young families and professionals has created a youthful and vibrant energy around the town. The new Ground-Up climbing centre plus a handful of fitness centres which have sprung up in the last year are a testament to the youthful and active community that forms that majority in Squamish.

The development boom in Squamish is transforming the landscape of the town. Downtown Squamish has been inundated with condo and townhome developments as has Dentville, the Northyards and Tantalus in Garibaldi Estates; there is no sign of this development boom stopping anytime soon. The Squamish Oceanfront Project is becoming a closer reality and developments in the Cheekeye Fan and Garibaldi at Squamish could soon come to fruition. The average home price has increased 62 percent in the last 5 years and the insatiable demand for life in Squamish is only curbed by the actual inventory of properties available for out of town buyers.

Things sure have changed in Squamish in the last 24 years. Imagining the town in another 24 seems like an impossible feat. If the population increases at the same rate it has been there could be a total of 26,000 people in 2040. That same three bedroom home in Garibaldi Highlands if increasing at the same rate will cost 3,328,000m in 24 years. 

 If you could create your ideal Squamish in 2040 what would it look like? Do you see tourism driving the economy? What type of jobs do you envision supporting the growth of the town? What type of parks, trails, and gathering areas would you like to see? What natural resources should be preserved? How would you address the current housing affordability as we move into the future?

Thursday night’s Public Visioning Event is your chance to participate in the creation of Squamish’s future. The event is taking place at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park between 6pm and 9pm. If you can’t make the event there is an online questionnaire available.  It’s is exciting times here in Squamish, and although I can’t predict what 2040 will look like, I don’t think the excitement will be slowing down anytime soon.

Thinking of selling your home? Here are 7 common mistakes when selling your home and how to avoid them.

In one of the best seller’s markets in recent history many people are considering putting their home on the market in 2016. If you are one of these people, this list of the seven common mistakes that people make when putting their home on the market may be useful. As a Realtor® serving the Sea to Sky Region for over 25 years I have seen almost everything. One trend that is common in a strong seller’s market is sellers believing they can simply put their home on the market ‘as-is’ and expect strong offers. Although there is a good chance you will get a good price for your home, make sure to avoid these common pitfalls in the process.

1.       Pricing based on profit not market conditions

Yes the buyers are here and there is not a lot of homes for them to choose from but that doesn’t mean you can price your home well above its market value. Often sellers have a magic number in mind that they would like for their home. It is important to ensure that your desired selling price is realistic in today’s market. As your Realtor® I will help you assess the current market conditions. We will take into consideration things such as your neighbourhood, the age and condition of your home, the lot size and aspect plus the current real estate market to determine a realistic selling price.

2.       Overlooking outstanding repairs

When you see homes selling in under a week with multiple offers it is tempting to put your home on the market without addressing outstanding repairs. This strategy can end up hurting you in the future. Although buyers are interested and ready, they are not un-educated. Outstanding repairs will be a big red flag to prospective buyers and will deter many people from putting an offer on your home. Even if buyers do proceed with an offer a building inspection will reveal any repairs or defects and may jeopardise and delay the offer. I always suggest to my clients to do their due diligence and make any necessary repairs before listing their home for sale. This includes ensuring home systems are in order, repairing any structural damage as well as smaller repairs like changing light bulbs and fixing leaky faucets.

3.       Selling your home before you’re ready

It’s tempting to sell your home in a hot seller’s market but it’s important to make sure you are actually ready to move. Your first step is to contact your Realtor® and make sure your ducks-are-in-a-line before you list your home. Chances are, your house may move quickly so it is important that you are prepared if this happens. Where will you move once your home is sold? Do you need to start searching for your next property? If your home is put on the market do you have essential paperwork ready such as strata documents?  

4.       Neglecting the clutter

First impressions are important to prospective buyers and a well presented home does wonders for first impressions and early offers. It’s a proven fact that homes sell quicker and for a higher price when they are staged in a clean and organized manner. This means removing all personal effects (such as photos) and storing away any loose and unnecessary items in the home. Simple staging can include placing your furniture in a neat and organized way and adding some nice details such as cushions, flowers or a centerpiece on the table. Hiring a professional stager is another option; this can involve complete overhauls inside your home using borrowed furniture and décor. When working with clients I will often walk through their home before listing it on the market and make recommendations in regards to de-cluttering and staging.

5. Avoid being unavailable

Once you put your home on the market, expect that people will want to see it. It is important that you make your home (and yourself) available during the process. Although it is best that you are not around when potential buyers view your home it is important that you make your home available for showings and open houses. When an offer does come in, ensuring you are on the ball with signing paperwork and negotiating the sale will help expedite the process and better your chances of a successful deal.

6. Letting emotions rule your decisions

Selling your home is an emotional experience for many. For some, a home is a place where a lifetime of memories have been made. I have seen many clients over the years become very emotional during the process. It is important to ensure your emotions don’t hinder your decisions when selling your home. By creating clear boundaries and expectations before the offers come in, and sticking to these is a helpful strategy. By having a minimum offer price set out beforehand you will avoid accepting an offer based on emotion and alternatively will avoid rejecting one out of fear or upset.

7. Not disclosing defects in your home

It is your legal duty to disclose all defects (latent and patent) on your home when putting it on the market. Upon listing your home your Realtor® will have you complete a property disclosure statement which is legally binding. The risk is too great to neglect to inform potential buyers of defects and could result in deals falling through and costly legal battles if not done accurately.

 It is an exciting time for Sellers in the Sea to Sky area with unprecedented demand in the real estate market and prices at an all-time high. This hot seller’s market is not an excuse however to get lazy and neglectful when selling your home. By avoiding these common mistakes you are well on your way to getting the most for your home. If you are thinking about selling your home in 2016, contact me today for an initial discussion about getting your home ready for sale!

It is a seller’s market in Squamish and many parts of British Columbia but that doesn’t mean you can get lazy when selling your home. Despite the low inventory of houses on the market, expect buyers to be educated and savvy when it comes to purchasing a new home. For this reason it is important to ensure your home is up to scratch in order to get the price you desire. Over the years practicing real estate I have noticed there are some easy preparations you can do to maximize the value of your property. Here are my 8 Tips for Getting the Best Price for your Home.

Organize and Declutter

There is nothing that turns a buyer off more than a house full of clutter. It is difficult for prospective buyers to envision themselves in your home if there are items strewn around in an unorganized manner. Personal items such as photos, and keep-sakes can often be a deterrent to people looking to buy a new home. It is advised to clear out clutter before you put your home on the market and organize it in a way that is appealing to the eye. Put away your personal items and in some cases, move belongings into storage to give your home a clean and neutral feel.

Staging goes a Long Way

Staging can range from minor adjustments in your home to complete overhauls with borrowed furniture and décor. Simple staging can be done with a little re-decorating and strategic placement of furniture, pillows and decorative items. Professional stagers are another option and can completely make-over your house to a cover worthy display home. Many Realtors have a keen eye for staging and if not, will be able to recommend a professional.

Repairs around the House

If you have outstanding repairs around the house, it is best to address them before you put your home on the market. Small defects such as a broken fence, chipped paint and loose door handles are quick fixes but can cost you in the long run if they aren’t addressed. A prospective buyer can be automatically turned off if there are small repairs needed around the house. They may automatically think, “what else is there needing fixing that I can’t see?”

Outdoor Maintenance

Often the outdoor area is where people pass their first judgements; a tidy outdoor space speaks volumes for first impressions of the home. Mowing the lawn, sweeping leaves and cleaning up any debris around the home is essential when having buyers inspect your property.

Audit Your Systems and Appliances

Before putting your home on the market it is important to ensure all of your appliances and systems are in working order. The last thing you want is surprises popping up in your building inspection that could be costly and delay the process. Make sure that your heating systems, electrical system, and plumbing systems are all in working order before listing your home for sale.

Replace Burnt out Lightbulbs

Another easy fix that shouldn’t be neglected. By replacing burnt out light bulbs you will give the impression that everything in the home is taken care of and in working order. By neglecting simple maintenance jobs like this you may give prospective buyers the impression that other simple repairs around the home have also been neglected.

Be Flexible for Showings

Once your house is on the market and priced correctly expect that it will generate a lot of interest. Ensure your home is accessible while it is for sale. If you have tenants inform them of their rights during the process. Make sure to keep the house neat and tidy, be ready for inspections and be flexible when your Realtor calls with prospective buyers. It may be slightly inconvenient at first but overall will result in your home being sold more quickly.

Know the Market Conditions

Even though the current market is hot you need to be realistic in your pricing. Consider your neighbourhood, the condition of your home, the year it was built and the aspects of your lot. Monitoring the sale price of other homes in your neighbourhood will give you a good indication of what yours may sell for. Consult with an experience Realtor and get a market evaluation to determine the maximum price you can expect for your home in the current market.

If you are thinking about selling your home in the Sea to Sky, I would be happy to sit down with you and discuss the process. Starting with a walk through of your home and a current market evaluation we can discuss what your property is likely to sell for in today’s market, and what (if any) repairs should be addressed before your home is put on the market. Contact me today for a free market evaluation and take advantage of this great seller’s market in the Sea to Sky.

Squamish is booming with new single family, townhome and condo developments. Here are the current developments to watch.

Squamish is seeing an explosion of new development and the timing couldn’t be better. With a surge of young couples, families and professionals moving to Squamish- and with current housing inventory unable to meet the demand- the new houses, townhomes and condos are a welcomed addition to the town. Over the last 10 years Squamish has seen new residential developments such as Eaglewind, Aqua and the Artisan downtown. Arbourwoods and Elements have revitalized the Northyards area and Skyridge, Alpenlofts and The Galleries have seen the Tantalus area of Squamish boom. New development in Squamish is continuing to sky-rocket. Here is a list of the current projects underway and on the books.

Newport Landing

Newport Landing is urban living inspired by nature. The development offers 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes with tasteful features and functionality. Newport Landing is within walking distance to downtown Squamish and is selling out fast! **Update** SOLD OUT (11/3/15)

Abby Lane

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Abby Lane is currently selling and features 3 bedroom homes nestled in a friendly river-side neighbourhood in Central Squamish. The spacious floorplans and stunning design give ample space and functionality; the development is located in close proximity to downtown Squamish, schools, golf and shopping.

Parkhouse

Located in downtown Squamish Parkhouse Condominiums are surrounded by nature with breathtaking views and close to everything! The development has one, two and three bedroom condos with a variety of floor plans, a large common amenity patio with rich and contemporary interiors. Parkhouse is hitting the market mid-November. SOLD OUT in 24 HOURS (11/8/2015)

The Maples at Fintry Park

Fintry Park is a 54 acre, 175 home smart community currently under development in the Brennan Park area of Central Squamish. The first stage of The Maples is sold out with the second stage of West Coast-inspired single family homes set to hit the market in early 2016. The community masterplan features 27 acres of green space, a 2km trail system with additional trail connectivity, and a neighbourhood park/picnic area. There are also plans to develop condos and townhouses in future phases.

Skyridge

Skyridge is located in the Garibaldi Estates and is situated on a hillside with stunning ocean and mountain views. There are currently 15 lots of Skyridge selling with plans for townhouses and duplexes to come on the market sometime in 2016. The 20 acre neighbourhood is slated to have a central park, walking trails, and potentially a primary school and childcare facility.

Squamish Oceanfront

Squamish Oceanfront Community has been over a decade in the making and is now closer than ever to becoming a reality. The development would see a vibrant, innovative, sustainable and world-class work-learn-play community located right in the heart of downtown Squamish. With a blend of residential and commercial this projected neighbourhood would completely re-shape downtown Squamish.

Crumpit Woods

Crumpit Woods is currently selling offering full-size single family lots situated amongst towering mountains and forest playgrounds. Phase two is over 95% sold with only one lot remaining. Located above the Plateau in Valleycliffe the Crumpit Woods neighbourhood is an adventure seekers dream location and only 5 minutes to downtown Squamish and 45 to downtown Vancouver. **Update** SOLD OUT (11/4/15)

The Falls, Eaglewind

The Eaglewind Community has renewed downtown Squamish and is now in its final phase of development. The Falls at Eaglewind offers 40 three-bedroom townhomes featuring contemporary West Coast architecture and designer interiors. The Eaglewind neighbourhood is set on acres of parkland with an extensive trail network, tennis court, lawn bowling, playground and community garden plots. There are only a handful of townhouses remaining in The Falls.

University Heights

University Heights grants you luxurious living in the great outdoors. The development features 72 single family and 33 duplex lots giving you the option to customize your own West Coast home. The sustainable community is located in Garibaldi Highlands near Quest University and overlooks the Tantalus Mountain ranges. The first phase of University Heights is nearly sold out with future duplex lots soon to be released.

Garibaldi at Squamish

Garibaldi at Squamish (GaS), a destination ski/golf resort plus residential and commercial development is becoming closer to a reality. With talks to begin construction in 2016 the much anticipated resort has the town buzzing with excitement and speculation. Watch this space.

Along with the developments above there is a list of New Development Applications currently awaiting approval.

To view or learn more about any of the developments listed above make sure to contact Nanci Fulton today.

Nanci has been selling real estate in Squamish for over 25 years and is professional, experienced and passionate about the Squamish real estate market. 

Squamish is quickly becoming one of the most sought after places to live.        Here’s why...

If you haven’t heard about the coastal town of Squamish, BC you must live on the other side of the world or under a rock. The New York Times recently rated Squamish as one of the top 52 places to go (in the world) and if that isn’t enough CNN declared Squamish as the mountain town to visit after the official opening of the town's Sea to Sky Gondola in 2014. With a population increase of 15% in only five years- young, educated and adventure driven people are flocking to Squamish and calling it home.

Being a resident and realtor in Squamish for over 25 years I have seen the town transform from a small community of barely 10,000 to a booming adventure hub of nearly 20,000. Squamish as a place to live is now more desireable then ever before; here are my top 7 Reasons Why Squamish is an Awesome Place to Live.

1. Breath-taking Mountains

Squamish is situated in a Valley at the mouth of Howe Sound and is framed by stunning granite mountains. The iconic Stawamus Chief is the second largest granite monolith in the world attracting a plethora of mountain enthusiasts each year to climb, hike and explore. For those who enjoy being close to nature and love playing or pondering on mountains then Squamish is sure to inspire.

2. Prime Location

Pre-2010 Olympics the Sea to Sky Highway, which connects Vancouver to Whistler, underwent a 600 million dollar upgrade. Squamish has been reaping the rewards of this investment ever since and it is now easier than ever to travel from Squamish to Vancouver or Whistler; about 40 minutes on a good day. Situated in between one of the world’s best ski resorts and one of the world’s most liveable cities, can you imagine a better location?

3. Family-friendly Atmosphere

The influx of young couples and professionals moving to Squamish has made it a great family-friendly town to raise children. The average age of the population in Squamish is 37 and in the last census (2012) there was a whopping 40% increase in kids from the census 6 years prior (BC average was 9%). The small town community, great school system, low rates of crime and proximity to nature make Squamish an ideal place to raise a family.

4. Activities Galore

Squamish has been unofficially named the Recreation Capital of Canada due to the number of outdoor activities available. In the summer take your pick from wind surfing, kite boarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, sailing or hiking. In winter it’s only a 40 minute drive to Whistler for the best skiing and riding in the world or you can snow-shoe, cross country ski, skate or sled right in your own backyard. Brennan Park Leisure Centre has a great pool and ice-rink with loads of activities and there are plenty of community programs and facilities for art/culture, sports and culinary interests.

5. Weather

With four diverse and beautiful seasons, Squamish is a temperate oasis when it comes to weather. Yes, it does rain in Squamish however the rain is mostly concentrated in fall and winter (when the rest of the country is experiencing sub-zero temperatures). The rain keeps the town beautiful and green, it hardly ever gets below 0, and the summers offer the most spectacular sunny days in an amazing picturesque setting.

6. Live-work-play lifestyle

What has made Squamish so popular over the last few years is the number of professionals from Vancouver moving to Squamish to live and play while they do the easy commute to work during the week. It’s an obvious choice for many: A snail-paced commute through horrendous traffic to the suburbs of Greater Vancouver or a glorious drive on one of the most scenic highways in the world. In Squamish the living is easy, the play is exciting and the work is accessible.

7. World class events and attractions

Squamish is making a name for itself with big events such as the Squamish Valley Music Festival and the Test of Metal. Add to that the newly built Sea to Sky Gondola which has taken the area by storm attracting an increase in visitors to the region by 36% the year it opened (2014). If that’s not enough take a short drive to Whistler or Vancouver for your pick of world-class events and attractions.

So there you have it, 7 Reasons Why Squamish is an Awesome Place to Live. Come see it for yourself! Squamish is still affordable compared to Vancouver (but not for long!) If you can see yourself living in Squamish, then view the current properties on the market and arrange a personal tour of the town.