development Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Joan Wolf, Big White REALTOR®

Building at Big White Ski Resort

October 27, 2022July 2, 2021 by Joan Wolf

Finding the perfect chalet in this market can be challenging, especially when it comes to luxury chalets. With only a few available for sale throughout the year, it can be hard to capture your dream property. However, with the mountain expanding all the time, there are amazing new developments with many lots available so you can build your own luxury dream chalet.

Building at Big White Ski Resort is much different than an in town build. The timeline, construction process and costs are all affected. There are pros and cons to building at the resort and this article will bring insight to all aspects.

New Developments

First lets chat about the new developments at the resort. With the resort having major plans to expand, with the master plan underway for exciting new features and development of the ski resort as a whole, many new areas are popping up with developable land to start your build. In addition to these developments below, next year there will be lots available in the beautiful Black Forest area.

Feathertop Estates

The extremely sought after Feathertop Estates is where the luxury chalets showcase phenomenal views and top of the line design quality.

Snowpines

A quiet area where the views are gorgeous and the location is set back from the busyness of the Village.

Moonshine

A fabulous location close to the Villages with incredible views, ski access and low strata fees.

Process of building at Big White Ski Resort

As mentioned earlier, the process of a build at Big White is different than a typical in town build. For starters, there are the possible setbacks as with any build. From unpredictable weather conditions like significant snowfalls and freezing ground, to delivery challenges and selective materials can push the completion timeline.

The zoning bylaws and building code stipulations are something that are much different than in town because the mountain receives 12′ of snow load. (Click here for copies of the OCP and Zoning Bylaws)

As for the cost of your build. The average cost is approximately $400 per square foot plus the price of the lot. Lots range from $150k to $650k depending on size, view, ski access, and village proximity.

Because building at the resort comes with its challenges, its important to choose a builder with years of expertise and knowledge when it comes to building on the mountain. Builders like Weninger Construction, have mastered the building process and have designed and built some of the resorts most stunning chalets.

Completing a build at Big White Ski Resort is a long process compared to say building in Kelowna. The average timeline is usually about 18-24 months.

If you are interested further in the process and what goes into a build at Big White, please contact me as I would be happy to answer any questions and help you get started on owning your dream chalet at Big White Ski Resort.

Okanagan Real Estate Market Update: May 2021

October 27, 2022May 4, 2021 by Joan Wolf

The Okanagan real estate market has continued to showcase steady growth and chart topping numbers. Okanagan’s dynamic market displays fast moving inventory and competitive offers in many cases. A high demand, with predictions to remain steady into the upcoming months is becoming a common theme.

Okanagan is consistently seeing historically high numbers of sales and low inventory. This creates increases in value and remains apparent that the market still favor sellers as we continue in the second quarter of 2021.

The current market conditions are driven up by many factors. Some of which include; low interest rates, flexibility of remote working, and the intriguing Okanagan lifestyle. The “small town” feel that the Okanagan showcases is sought after with many buyers relocating from large cities.

With world-class wineries, sandy beaches, countless lakes and an abundance of outdoor activities, the Okanagan is a hot spot for people of any age. Many people are looking for more of that outdoor lifestyle. Whether its boating, golfing, or heading to Big White for some mountain biking our community offers all of that, and then some!

Okanagan Real Estate Market Recap

Market activity continues to exceed levels our area is accustomed to. We experienced 9845 sales totaling over 5.7 billion dollars in 2020. Year to date, we sit at 3.2 billion with 5002 sales. Value continue to climb and the increase of pressure will likely continue in the short term.

Not only are listings selling for more, but they are taking less time to sell, 28.23% less time compared to 2020 actually. In March 2021, residential listings were taking, on average, 33 days to sell.

A Closer Look

As we experience high level activity within our market, individual market segments performed differently. The number of residential sales increased by 115%, and the condo market is ahead of that with an increase of 130%. Townhomes are slightly behind at 114%. But the real dominator here was lot sales, as more and more people decide to build. We saw a 383%, yes 383% increase in number of sales compared to 2020.

Average prices in all segments have increased. The average price of residential soared to $930,251 a 28% change from 2020. Townhomes also increased by 24% to $621,485 and condos trailed with an average price of $415,411 compared to $352,444, a 17% increase.

Looking Ahead

With our current markets status, we expect a similar quarter. Demand remains strong throughout our region and combined with a high level of available capital market trends are expected to continue. We are in a time where market growth seems to remain stable and steady for the foreseeable future and sellers are still in a perfect pocket of opportunity.

For more information about the Okanagan real estate market contact me anytime.

Big White Ski Resort Winter 2020/21 season – The resort & real estate is bustling!

October 27, 2022November 3, 2020 by Joan Wolf

With Big White Ski Resort’s Winter 2020/21 season’s opening day a mere few weeks away, the resort is bustling and busy making preparations to be ready for the Winter 2020/21 season. If you have taken a drive around Big White lately you will notice a lot of new builds and updating happening. A perfect example of a growing neighbourhood on the hill is the exclusive Feathertop Estates. These high-end luxury chalets offer unbeatable views of the Monashee Mountains and top the scale of incredible ski homes. It’s not only new builds that are taking off, whether it’s those luxury chalets or studio apartments, real estate on the mountain is booming and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

What’s Happening on the Hill – leading up to the winter 2020/21 season

This October Big White Ski Resort saw 29 deals complete with the lowest price being $139,000 and the highest a staggering $3,200,000 which was the incredible Crescendo Chalet! The average price was $531,569, up from last year’s average price of $405,631 over 20 sales.

This year, the resort has taken many extra precautions to ensure that all visitors and staff alike will be safe with new rules and protocols in place that follow the government’s COVID-19 guidelines. In a Castanet article, Big White vice-president Michael J. Ballingall said the resort will control the number of day passes to keep a handle on the numbers on the mountain. Skiers/snowboarders are also being urged to “stay in their bubble,” he said. Previous years Big White had relied heavily on foreign workers and has worked hard to lock in domestic staffers for the resort this year.

With my office located in the Village, I love watching the hustle and bustle of the resort starting to pick up. People are really looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the champagne powder that Big White has to offer. Stop by the office anytime to check out all of my listings and if you have any questions pop in or send me an email. I would be happy to help!

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

Renting Out Your Big White Ski Resort Property

November 23, 2022February 18, 2020 by Joan Wolf

Some people rent out their Big White Ski Resort property is a way to earn extra income when the property is not being used for their own personal use. Others buy at Big White strictly to use the property as a rental as rentals on the mountain are always in high demand, especially over the Christmas holidays and Spring Break. In addition to the holiday rushes, there are also seasonal workers and visitors alike that rent over the course of the season, year after year. This article will offer insight on renting out your Big White Ski Resort property.

Renting Out Your Big White Ski Resort Property

From self managing to outsourcing to a full service rental company, you have options depending on how involved you’d like to be. Some restrictions apply to each service you choose but luckily there are a few to chose from.

However, each building and complex have their own rental restrictions in place and rules that must be followed. So before making your rental plan. I reccommend speaking to a professional (I would be happy to answer any questions) about the possible rental restrictions for your property.

Let’s have a look at some of the options…

Self Managed

Airbnb

This is a great option for those who want to self manage. Be prepared to run the rental from top to bottom. You’d be in charge of listing the rental, upkeep, managing booking, cleaning and more. Do your research to see if Airbnb is right for you.

Full Service

Central Reservations

The one-stop shop for everything on the mountain. Handling rentals, and just about everything else, Central Reservations is a trusted, knowledgable team.

Luxury Mountain Vacation Rentals

With over 10 years of operation at Big White, this company has a long history of exceeding guest expectations. The team is comprised of other local small business such as: Pure White Cleaners, Snowy Nights Hot Tubs, Billy’s Waterworks, and many others.

If you decide to self-manage, I highly recommend the following local services to assist with the rental process:

Renting out your Big White Ski Resort property allows you to have that home away from home that generates income while not in use by you and your family. Contact me for all your Big White Real Estate needs! I would be happy to answer any questions or get started searching for your perfect investment property!

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

New Developments at Big White Ski Resort

October 27, 2022January 22, 2020 by Joan Wolf

Big White Ski Resort in beautiful British Columbia continues to grow with new developments all over the resort. From a 9,000 square foot luxury chalet to family friendly condos in Stonegate and Happy Valley, Big White is exploding with possibilities that is sure to meet you and your family’s criteria.

Investors and developers are excited to invest in the future of Big White as they see substantial growth ahead, which makes Big White a great investment. I am asked every week about the new builds and current development underway and if this is a good time to buy at Big White; here are a few upcoming projects:

New Developments at Big White Ski Resort

SpyGlass

Spyglass Townhomes offer 27 premium residences in the heart of the village. These freehold townhomes offer ski in/ski out access and are steps to amenities. The 2 bedroom + den units are thoughtfully designed with premium finishes and indoor parking! Move ins are scheduled for Christmas 2020. In time to enjoy the holidays with family or rent out for revenue.

Monashee Ridge

Monashee Ridge offers spectacular views of the Monashee Mountains while being nestled in the trees off of Serwa’s Run, with a true ski in/ski out location. Freehold new build in upper snow pines with low strata fees and strong VRBO potential making it an incredible investment! Buy a lot to build your dream chalet or full chalet package that suits your criteria.

Stonegate Resort

Stonegate Resort is a luxury mountain resort in the heat of Big White village. This resort offers ski residences with the space and luxury of a single-family home, the convenience and amenities of a boutique hotel. It’s a community vibe with an intimate private club feeling. The Stonegate Resorts spacious two, three, and four bedroom homes start at $299,000. They were designed with both personal enjoyment and entertaining in mind. The final phase is NOW SELLING!

Sundance Townhomes

Sundance townhomes are private residences that share the amazing Sundance Resort amenities such as: Salt water pool, cinema, games room, childcare activities, billiards room, steam room, private shuttle, and more! These townhomes feature outstanding views and come with oversized garages for your Big White lifestyle toys. Building is direct with the developer so you can have a say in the fittings and finishings!

If you’re interested in new developments at Big White Ski Resort, I can help you find the best property for you. Contact me for more insights and to chat about whether building or buying new may work for you.