Sunshine Coast: Barbie and Shay

Friendly communities, fantastic home values

May 2017

The real estate market on the Sunshine Coast has remained steadily strong over the past year, without the recent dip in sales experienced in other Greater Vancouver areas in 2017. Prices have continued to increase at modest rates; however, the overall value is tremendous for residential properties as compared to the Lower Mainland. The median detached home price in March was $517,800 – up 7.9% over the past six months; in comparison, North Vancouver’s identical median was down 5.3% to $1,575,500.

Why consider a move to the Sunshine Coast? Proximity to Vancouver is a key factor for maintaining a reasonable commute to a downtown office, enjoying entertainment and sports events in “the city” and keeping close to family and friends. BC Ferries provides a 40-minute trip to Horseshoe Bay (fare includes return travel), and float plane service can deliver you to Coal Harbour in 20 minutes, or to the Vancouver International Airport in just 25 minutes. Dollars and location aside, the real draw is simply the lifestyle – a laid-back culture which values active lifestyle just as much as the arts, wrapped up in welcoming and friendly communities.

Barbie Whitworth is a Realtor with Macdonald Realty Sunshine Coast, and an active area resident. She is well experienced with the Sunshine Coast real estate market, earning a President’s Club Membership in 2016. This honour is given by the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board, with recipients selected from the top one per cent of Realtors for the number of sales on MLS, and speaks to her dedication to her Sunshine Coast clients.

“The Sunshine Coast is a wonderful place to live, not just for the climate and the scenery, but also the heartfelt sense of community that we have developed over the years,” says Whitworth. “From active outdoor lifestyle to arts, neighbourhood events to entrepreneurial spirit, there’s something for everyone. Recent events in the community have included a craft beer festival, a musical variety show at the Seniors’ Activity Centre, and the much-anticipated opening of the Gibsons Public market.”

From Gibsons all the way north to Pender Harbour, the Sunshine Coast offers properties with much sought-after water views and amazing sunsets. The market is incredibly varied within the main communities and outlying areas, with spectacular waterfront estates, water-access vacation properties, updated family homes, and new-to-market condos attached to retail amenities.

Does the Sunshine Coast sound like your next (and last) move?

Check out www.sunshinecoastrealtors.ca and www.homesonthesunshinecoast.com and start planning for your summer of spectacular sunsets.