BC Bound – Albertans Seek Waterfront Resorts: BC Resort Real Estate, B.C. Recreational Property, Waterfront, Lakefront Condos, Townhomes, Homes

Originally published in the Homes and Resort magazine and written by well respected and trusted writer D. Murray. Oil and water don’t mix, say scientists and culinary experts. But a growing number of Western Canadians seem ot have found a way to blend these two opposing liquids into their onw lives. After recent years of booming oil business, Albertans who have struck it rich are using their new found wealth to purchase some previous waterfront real estate property in BC – primarily seeking resort homes on the shores of the many beautiful lakes. Nobody can blame people in Canada’s richest province of Alberta for wanting to own some waterfront BC property amid the majestic mountains in Canada’s super natural province. Alberta has so few beaches and mountains, and sometimes, a beautiful thing is meant for sharing. “A lot of people are migrating to BC partly because fo the incredible scenery and nature itself – the mountains, the lakes,” said Garry Leitch, a marketing manager for some BC resorts like The Narrows at Shuswap Lake. Boating, swimming, and a long list of other water sports have popularized many of BC’s large, warm lakes through the extended summers. In winter, ski trips are just minutes away from our cities rather than hours, and powder days come much more frequently. In between this adventurous fun, wineries and orchards provide a beautiful backdrop for a picnic or hike in almost any season. From the springtime blook to the fall harvest and festival tours, the BC valleys provide a spark of colour not seen on the bald prairies.

More About Lakefront and Waterfront BC Resort Real Estate Property

“It is mesmerizing. The natural beauty stays with you for life. Everyone of course enjoys the summer, it is a very attractive place for four seasons,” said Sam Boguslavsky, president of Sable Resorts, and developer of The Legacy on Mara Lake and Legacy Ridge in Radium Hot Springs. Summer holidays spent on idyllic lakeside beaches have often provided the impetus to turn a vacation location into a full-time home. For a growing number of Albertans, the place they are calling home (at least part-time) is British Columbia, where the milder weather combines with more opportunities to enjoy outdoor pursuits. “People are looking for other places to go where you have got year round recreation,” continued Garry. “A lot ofpeople are looking to lifestyle decisions, part of that is warm climates where you can play golf longer, you can take more advantage of the four seasons of activities at your fingertips.” Reflecting the demand of the BC real estate market, golf real estate communities are growing leaps and bounds across BC interior. Last year, there new golf communities opened in the Shuswap Kamloops region. Two new golf real estate communities are opening up in the hills above Kelowna and Vernon property this season, to be followed by another 27 holes next season. The South Columbia Valley real estate has three new golf property communities starting up among the two dozen existing courses. “There are tons of choices,” said Eric Watson, managing director, broker for Ultimate Properties and marketer for Invermere’s Resort at Castle Rock. “If you are a golfer, you are in paradise.” People go there to get away and have fun. BC has more recreational options for less many than the eastern slopes of the Rockies on the Alberta side,” said Eric, noting the motivations for the majority of Calgary buyers at this new BC resort. “Given the natural assets it has, it is inevitable. Weather is obviously a big factor – it can be substantially warmer. To have golf, skiing, the lake and everything else that goes with it, this is very difficult to replace. It really is a recreational real estate paradise.”

The Future B.C. Resort Real Estate Developments

“People look toward a warmer climate to get away and enjoy that,” said Sam. “Tehre are many amenities that go beyond just the lakeshore real estate. Golfing opportunities are truly tremendous with many new courses that have opened up. And the Monashee offer wolrd class sledding and snowmobiling. “We love it because of the proximity for Albertans. Coming from Alberta, Mara is the first warm lake,” Sam said, noting reasons for the large number of Alberta real estate resort buyers at this Shuswap resort, and the 90 plus percent of Albertans who have purchased at Legacy Ridge in Radium Hot Springs. “the economy in Alberta, and especially Calgary, is so strong with oil and gas driving it. So Alberta continues to drive our BC resort real estate market.”

Across the provincial border, what had been a steady migration for years is now an ever growing exodus to cities throughout the BC interior – particularly the Columbia Valley, the Okanagan and the Shuswap. “Most of the resort BC property that are selling, over 50 per cent of buyers are from Alberta,” said Curt Woodhall, Principal of Lift Real Estate and marketer for Carmel Beach Lodges in Shuswap. “Obviously their economy is strong. The climate in the Okanagan real estate is much better than Alberta and the amenities are unmatched for recreation and retirement. I don’t think that it is any surprise that Albertans are jumping on these first because they already are familiar with the area.” “Lakefront is a good real estate BC investment property because they are not making any more lakes, as far as I know,” he quipped before adding a more serious note. “It is only going up in value, supply is limited because there are only som many lakes and so many good real estate BC properties and spots available. Soon they will be all built.”

Growth Predictions of British Columbia recreational property

Last year, the first of the baby boomers generation turned 60 and many have already opted for an early retirement. Over the coming years, many more are predicted to be turning their focus to getting back to relaxation and recreation. “Vacation property is the fastest growing market in Canada real estate,” said Mark Clark, realtor fo the Gateway on the North Shore of Shuswap Lake. “in our project, our biggest response has been from Calgary and Edmonton.” “close to 50 per cent of the summer population is from Alberta,” said Jeff Tarry, realtor for Century 21 selling Bayside homes, plus president of North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce. “Alberta doesn’t have the best of lakes. We have one of the best lakes around, the biggest provincial park in the interior of BC real estate resorts. Everything is here that anybody would want to enjoy.” “the lakes in Alberta are very nice but they just don’t have the interesting components of the vastness of Shuswap or Mara Lake,” agreed George Crookshank. “We see a lot of waterfront or lakeside real estate developments in BC that are being bought up by Albertans” said Brenda, director of communications for Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and a realtor with Coldwell Banker. “They really appreciate our lakes.” “It’s definitely increased. The Calgary and Edmonton (housing) markets have both really had excellend years recently. A lot of people are coming out here with this new found equity and putting it into another BC resort property. People buying here with a five year range plan to retire here.” And with every new uptick at the gas pump, another Albertan gets another step closer to settling into the sandy shores of BC lakefront real estate living.