Real estate experts tell us the biggest factor determining the desirability of a property is the location. Of equal importance is the perception potential buyers have of that location.
On the heels of robust sales this past spring, a number of realtors are convinced Squamish is poised for a record-setting year. It鈥檚 not just property transactions that are on a Red Bull energy surge. Rental units, especially two- and three-bedroom accommodations, are being snapped up at such a rapid pace that some families are having difficulty finding adequate lodging. Reasonable prices, relative to most locations in the Lower Mainland, and easier access via the upgraded Sea to Sky Highway have certainly paved the way for a population influx and a boost in housing demand.
Just as important is the ongoing shift to a more diversified and future focused economy, after the forestry and railway sector doldrums Squamish experienced during the past decade. Until recently, many residents of the Lower Mainland were under the impression the town had toppled off the back of a proverbial turnip truck and consequently they decided to bypass this vale of tears.
With Whistler just up the road, Squamish typically turned into a rear-view mirror experience. Meanwhile, for most longtime residents, this became a nurturing community, a good place to work, buy a home, raise a family, and enjoy unparalleled natural surroundings. Forestry sector and 小蓝视频 Rail paycheques put bread on the table and new vehicles in driveways. Municipal taxes and charitable donations from those paycheques helped build much of the infrastructure and many of the amenities we now take for granted, including the protective dike system, the Brennan Park Recreation Centre, the Squamish General Hospital and the local golf course/curling complex.
These days, with one of the youngest demographics in the country, the town is acquiring a reputation as a centre for self-starters and go-getters, many of whom are generating a variety of small- and large-scale employment opportunities. Hot new attractions like the Sea to Sky Gondola, the Squamish Valley Music Festival, and the cutting-edge learning environment at Quest University are making news, not just provincially but nationally and internationally.
This past May, CNN designated Squamish as the best mountain town summer destination. Back in 1914, Squamish officially got its name and legislation was passed leading to incorporation. Now, 100 years later, a major image makeover is underway in the Shining Valley. And if you鈥檙e in the real estate business, you can start taking that transformation to the bank.
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