PRESS RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
$2 MILLION DOLLAR HOME SALE heralds a new age for SQUAMISH.
“There was a time when many thought Squamish would never see the first $1 million dollar home sale, let alone a $2 million dollar sale but even with slower market conditions and economic uncertainty in some countries, savvy home buyers have identified Squamish as a community that offers both great value and an unprecedented lifestyle,” notes Pat Place, Managing Broker of Remax Sea to Sky Real Estate.
41587 ROD ROAD
The property was sold by Candice Dyer, Remax Sea to Sky Real Estate and top selling Realtor® in the Sea to Sky Corridor. According to Dyer, “The property is first class. With two fully landscaped acres and a custom built timber frame home, carriage house, in-ground salt-water pool, hot tub, duck pond and separate work shop, the value is incredible compared to other areas of the Lower Mainland.”
The number of inquiries from home buyers has seen a dramatic increase in recent months, particularly at the higher end of the market. “There are some beautiful homes here with many less than half of what comparable homes cost in other communities”, says Dyer. For example, “1016 Jay Crescent, in Thunderbird Creek, is listed at $1.725 million. Built in 2010, it has incredible features including IPOD docking stations in every room and a $25,000 hot tub.
1016 Jay Crescent
As well, three gorgeous timber frame homes; 1002 Lanark Place, 1018 Glacier View and 1024 Jay Crescent are being offered for sale well below replacement cost.”
Award winning builder, Scott Ross of Timberhaven Homes Ltd. built two of these homes. He says, “The starting cost for my timber frame homes is $500.00 a square foot.” This does not include the cost of the lot or applicable taxes.
The views in Garibaldi Highlands are spectacular and the neighbourhoods are quiet and peaceful. The homes near Quest University at University Heights were all built in the last three or four years. As well as luxury homes, “Squamish offers a wide variety of affordable housing options with a detached home averaging $550,000”, adds Dyer. “New one bedroom condominiums start at $189,000 at Studio SQ and we have many affordable town home options, both new and resale.”
With selling prices soaring for single family homes in other areas of the lower mainland, many people in the Vancouver, Richmond, White Rock, North and West Vancouver areas are looking for a new place to call home. Squamish is an affordable and beautiful community with an easy commute to many parts of the lower mainland.
“The drive time to Vancouver from Squamish is less than it is from as Maple Ridge, Mission, Langley, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Chilliwack, Cloverdale, White Rock and Surrey”, says Dyer. As well as an easy and scenic commute, residents enjoy a safe living environment and a better quality of life with unlimited recreational pleasure at their doorstep.”
Many people in the Lower Mainland are not aware of the many services in Squamish. Squamish has a full service modern hospital, and several choices for assisted living and a brand new Seniors Activity Centre located in the Eaglewind development, Downtown Squamish. As well, there is a broad spectrum of amenities including a public library, recreation centre, ice arena, auditorium and aquatic centre, and outdoor athletic fields. Squamish has six elementary schools, two secondary schools and two universities. Quest University saw its first successful graduating class at the end of April this year. Plans are currently underway to add a private secondary and elementary school in the next few years.
The transportation infrastructure in Squamish includes a deep sea port, airport, bus, rail and intermodal facilities. Dyer notes that, “each year the number of amenities in Squamish and the Sea to Sky Corridor increase and include major retail stores, small businesses as well as services.”
The 20 year projections for population growth in the Lower Mainland is an increase of 41% with tangible signs already apparent in the Cambie area where efforts are underway for rezoning to increase density by 40%. The Growth Management Strategy (2005) indicated that the population of Squamish is projected to more than double by 2031.
Given the growth projections, Squamish is facing an unprecedented level of development. Construction is one of the leading employment sectors. “Major oceanfront development is moving forward which will transform Squamish’s waterfront into a Londsdale Quay/Granville Island concept”, states developer Michael Hutchison of Bethel Lands Corporation Ltd. Waterfront Landing projects $100 million in construction payroll and 3,500 new residents with an estimated local spending potential of $4 to $5 million. Squamish Oceanfront Development projects total construction revenue of $678 to $750 million, increasing employment by 2,200 full time
jobs, plus aggregate direct output of the economy projected to equal over six billion dollars for the first thirty years.
Year round tourism is also increasingly a focus with events such as the Test of Metal bike race in June and Live at Squamish, which brought more than 17,000 festival goers and $1 million plus dollars in revenue to Squamish in August. “We are increasing our capacity to effectively service events while learning to enhance their economic benefits to our community,” said Dan McRae, Economic Sustainability Coordinator.
“Downloads, including 2010 Community Profile by Industry and Outline for Economic Development are available on the website www.businesssquamish.com”, says Dyer. “The reports provide insight into a host of new and vibrant opportunities Squamish has to offer. We are entering into a new age in Squamish with a cohesive community approach to job creation, an open door policy for small business, increased development, and long term sustainability. I think we will are well positioned to see a significant increase in the number of these high end home sales in Squamish.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to own a home in Squamish and live the lifestyle you deserve!
