DECEMBER 2016 REAL ESTATE UPDATE
Later Sunset Means More Time to Enjoy the Alpenglow from Wedgewoods Whistler Development – Phase 2 is Coming!
We’ve turned the clocks ahead as we prepare for the spring building season. For the moment, there is still snow on the ground and capping the mountains, giving us these amazing alpenglow views in the evening. Wedgewoods Whistler Development – Phase 1 is almost sold out – there are just 2 more lots available! For more information about WedgeWoods Phase 2 lots, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
SEA TO SKY REAL ESTATE UPDATE
The Whistler real estate market has been busy for the entirety of 2016. There was a 32% increase in total dollar volume of sales in Whistler in 2016 over 2015. This increase in activity was further evident in the 976 sales (a 21% increase in the total number of transactions) for the year.
We have seen a slight increase in the percentage of buyers from the USA for Whistler (10% in 2016 from 8% in 2015). This is likely due to the strong US dollar as Americans are finding more value for their money in Canada. Also interesting to note: We have seen an increase in the percentage of buyers from the Greater Vancouver area, 50% in 2016 versus 45% in 2015. This is likely due to price pressure in Vancouver and in some cases, the high cost of the US dollar, encouraging Canadians to spend their money at home.
For a complete breakdown of Whistler Sales by Dollar Volume, Number of Transactions and Property Types, as well as annual quarterly trends for the past few years, please check out statistics here.
Pemberton experienced a significant increase in property sales in 2016, as home buyers found value in its proximity to Whistler, and in this wonderful community in general. Overall, there were 203 sales in Pemberton in 2016, representing a 61% increase in total number of transactions and a 35% increase in the total dollar volume of sales when compared to 2015, please check out statistics here.
THIS MONTH’S FEATURED LISTINGS
Whistler and Pemberton Open Houses can also be found HERE.
REAL ESTATE & RELATED NEWS
Whistler busier than ever during holidays – Snow conditions, strong American dollar draw huge numbers to the resort – Read more here.
Flurry of activity leads to historic low in Whistler’s real-estate inventory – Last year saw 22-per-cent increase in real-estate sales activity… Read more…
Home Run – A matching program for property and business owners in Whistler. Program info here.
The BC Tax Assessments are out: Assessed property values in Whistler rose 20% last year. Find out what this means if you are a home owner in Whistler, or if you’re in the market for your perfect Whistler escape. {READ MORE}
B.C. HOME Partnership program open for applications – As of January 16th, British Columbians looking to purchase their first home can apply to the B.C. Home Owner Mortgage and Equity Partnership program, which helps first-time homebuyers create secure and stable futures for their families through home ownership – Click here for more details.
Spearhead Huts Project – Funding, safety, sustainability discussed at Committee of the Whole… See more…
Closing Costs – please check out 10 items to consider here.
WHISTLER & PEMBERTON HAPPENINGS
Here’s what’s going on around town:
Whistler Blackcomb’s Fire & Ice Show: Who can resist fireworks and fire spinners – especially when snowflakes fill the air? Whistler’s best skiers and riders, including Whistler Blackcomb Snow School’s finest, hit a big air jump through a blazing ring of fire every Sunday night at 6:30 PM. {READ MORE}
Kokanee Valley Race Series – The Kokanee Valley Race Series is held on Thursdays throughout the winter season. The series is open to skiers, telemarkers and snowboarders with different gender and age divisions. No racing experience is required to join in on the fun of recreational racing. Everyone is eligible to win great prizes each race at the video and awards party. Visit Tourism Whistler for more info.
Intersections: Contemporary Artist Films – October 28 – February 6 – Curated by Darrin Martens, Audain Art Museum’s Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chief Curator this exhibition is made up of a series of films that explore important intersecting themes of time, space, place as well as larger global social narratives related to the environment and the migration of peoples and ideas. The exhibition includes work by Matilda Aslizadeh, Patrick Bernatchez, Stan Douglas, Pascal Grandmaison and Marie-Claire Blais, Lisa Jackson, Fiona Tan and Althea Thauberger. Click here for more info.
Family Après – Mondays and Wednesdays – December 19, 2016 – March 29, 2017 – Visit Whistler Olympic Plaza select evenings through winter for Family Après for free kid-friendly activities and entertainment brought to you by the Resort Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Province of BC. – More details here.
TELUS Winter Classic – January 20 – January 21 – The TELUS Winter Classic is Whistler’s legendary fundraising event of the season. Partake in a fun-filled weekend of wine tastings, gourmet food, ski events and the famous Mountain Top Gala. Events are held on both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Ticket info here.
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival – January 22 to 29, 2017 – Whistler is proud to host the 25th Annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, one of the biggest and best gay and lesbian ski weeks in North America. With 8 days filled with over 60 events the energy and diversity of the festival is reflected in the schedule. Enjoy Whistler Blackcomb’s incredible terrain for skiing and riding each day and a new social event every night. – Event detail available here.
Peak to Valley Race presented by Smirnoff – February 24 – February 25 – The Peak to Valley Race is a long standing and unique team race on Whistler Mountain. Teams of 4 (one member must be of the opposite sex and all must be 19 or over) will race a course which starts on the Whistler Saddle and finishes at Dusty’s. The Peak to Valley Race has a vertical drop of 1,443 metres, with 180 gates and a course over 5 km long. More about this event here.