big white property Archives - Joan Wolf, Big White REALTOR®

Property at Big White Ski Resort

October 5, 2023 by Joan Wolf

Property at Big White Ski Resort is more than just owning a vacation home. The potential revenue that comes along with your investment plays a major role in your purchasing power. Finding properties that double as a vacation home and a rental property with great earning potential are a rare find. Especially when other resorts such as Whistler have speculation tax. Big White Ski Resort is exempt from that tax making it an even more desirable place to invest.

Owner/Rental Use

Depending on how much you use your property for personal use, the revenue potential can be vast. Renting out your property during the high times such as Christmas and New Years break and Spring break, can yield some great revenue and also provides an opportunity to still use the property personal use during other times of the year. High end luxury chalets have potential to reach six figure rental revenue.

Location Location Location

Choosing an area of the resort is also imperative for both personal pleasure and when renting. Being in or close to the Village is a valuable asset for any property. Many people visiting the resort like to have immediate access to all amenities whether that is in Happy Valley or the Village centre. Speaking of amenities, if a condo is what you are after, comparing each complex’s amenities is important and will affect rental potential. You could go all out and enjoy Stonegate’s amenities which include indoor/outdoor pool, movie theatre, game room and much more. Or if you are looking for a more cost effective strata, a complex such as the Whitefoot lodge may be more ideal.

Owning property at Big White Ski Resort offers the chance to enjoy and revel in the best of both worlds. Using the property for personal use, hitting the slopes and enjoying family vacations along with a fantastic earning potential gives Big White a leg up on other Canadian ski resorts.

Are you ready to start the search for your perfect Big White Ski Resort property? Reach out today and let’s get looking!

Big White Homes Are Avoiding Correction

December 1, 2022 by Joan Wolf

There is no doubt that we have been seeing a slight down turn in the median home prices since Spring of this year. This is partly due to more inventory being available and the rising mortgage rates. Big White Ski Resort, among other ski resorts in Canada, have avoided the correction and are predicted to only see a 3% decrease in median price on high-end homes.

Big White Ski Resort and other ski resorts have remained strong within this market due to foreign buyers motivated to purchase before the ban takes place, which is on January 1 2023. However, Big White Ski Resort is exempt from the ban, making it a great area to purchase as a foreign buyer.

Another reason is that even though the mortgage rates are higher than normal, when people purchase at a ski resort it is more than likely a second home. With that in play, many people take out equity in their primary home in order to purchase their secondary vacation home. So there is no need for a mortgage and the rising rates won’t deter them from a purchase.

Big White Homes

The average sale price for Big White homes in 2021 was $490,000. When you compare that to this year’s (to-date) average sale price at $606,000, it is quite an increase and confirms that the resort has not seen the dip that was expected.

That being said, prices have slightly shifted but sellers who bought within the height are still gaining profit in their sale, just with a slight price decrease if you compare it to earlier this year.

There are currently 76 Big White Homes listed at Big White Ski Resort and with an array of options available, there can be a property found whatever your budget may be. If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell at Big White Ski Resort, you can reach out to me here.

Spring Break at Big White Ski Resort

November 23, 2022March 17, 2022 by Joan Wolf

Spring break is just around the corner and Big White Ski Resort is going to be the place to be! Many events over the past two years were canceled due to the pandemic, but with more Covid restrictions easing, the resort has some incredible events planned for the coming weeks. It’s an exciting time on the mountain because with more events, comes more guests getting to experience the beautiful resort.

What’s Happening

After two years of hiatus, the Neil Edgeworth Memorial Banked Slalom is going ahead this year on March 26 and 27th.
The 10th annual Big White Firefighter rooftop campout is March 18-20th. The goal this year is to raise $10,000 with 100% going towards the Thrive Foundation, BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund.
Calling all healthcare workers(IH staff): FREE lift passes and 50% off ski/board rentals on March 30th!
AltiTunes Music Fest featuring the Arkells is a much anticipated event at the resort this year. A great way to reconnect and have fun.

Real Estate Recap

The more people that arrive and visit the resort and see how amazing it is, more people are interested in purchasing a slice of Big White Ski Resort for themselves. We have seen 56 sales so far in 2022, fairly on par from last year and almost doubling the sales from 2020. With over 35 million dollars worth of property being sold so far, the resort is on track for another high transactional year.

With lower inventory than average, the resort has been expanding their residential areas and many new developments are in the making. Monashee Ridge for example is a new development offering luxury finishes and awesome location that has become an extremely popular choice for buyers.

Not only are there less options on the market, currently only 44 listings, but the listings themselves are being snatched up quicker than normal. 2022 is seeing an average days of market of just 44, a decrease from 2021’s average of 55 days. Less inventory means more competition and the average sale price so far in 2022 ($626,660) shows just how popular the resort is becoming.

Don’t be worried though because there are many opportunities to purchase real estate at Big White Ski Resort for less than that. Currently the most affordable option is a studio unit in the Whitefoot Lodge and it’s listed at $139,000. However, on the flip side, if luxury is your cup of tea, the most expensive listing is $1,999,999 luxury chalet in Feathertop Estates.

With so many eventful happenings at the resort, is it time for you to join the fun? To learn more or to get started on your Big White real estate journey, contact me today!

Big White Ski Resort Property Management

October 27, 2022December 7, 2021 by Joan Wolf

What have the last two years of rental bookings looked like at Big White ski resort?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on the hospitality industry, rental
bookings at Big White have been down the last couple of years. However, construction on the
mountain has continued unabated, with demand for accommodation in the Okanagan, and at Big
White, higher than ever. Come rain, snow, or COVID, people are continuing to visit from all
over the world to enjoy the world-class amenities and champagne powder snow that only Big
White has to offer.

Locations Mountain Management Services has continued to serve more and more owners
looking to rent out their properties in the off-season as well as the ski season. We get inquiries
every day from owners about property management, rentals, and cleaning services. We are
fortunate to be doing relatively well in tough times and can only imagine how things will boom
when the good times return.

Summer and shoulder season rental bookings?

We like to place guests in our owners’ properties for the entirety of the off-season (summer and
shoulder season). This way the owners earn more than through daily or short-term rentals in the
off-season, which are always significantly less than the ski season. This is revenue that our
owners would not normally expect to get; it’s money in their pockets. The Okanagan is one of
the most desirable places in Canada to live, and accommodation is scarce and can be expensive.
Guests looking to relocate often move into a property at Big White while they find a longer-term
rental solution in Kelowna.

What do you foresee for future rentals at Big White?

When the restrictions end and people feel safe and secure to travel freely once more, the sky’s
the limit. The demand for property and accommodation in Kelowna is extremely high, and this
demand has spilled over into Big White, where inventory is low and prices are high. Even in
these challenges times, homes, townhomes, and condos in Big White are receiving multiple
offers and selling at or above asking price.

Big White is Canada’s No. 2 ski resort. There are other ski runs in the Okanagan, but none can
match Big White for the number of runs, level of accommodation, variety of amenities, and
infrastructure. And did we already mention the champagne powder?

What are the most sought after features for rentals?

1. Private hot tub
2. Beds for a reasonable price to accommodate large groups
3. Proximity to the Village and amenities
4. Pet friendly

What types of properties are getting the most rentals?

The most sought-after rentals are 2-4 bedrooms, spacious, with good access to ski runs, and a
mountain view. People are looking for an exciting, emotional, and memorable ski experience.
They want the whole package, and Big White has the runs, the snow, the accommodation, and
the amenities to provide just that. Here are some properties that are available now!

Why choose property management?

You can do all the work yourself: if you’ve got the time, if you’re media savvy, you can prepare
your property, find guests, book them in, communicate with them, be available to answer any
questions they may have, deal with any issues that may arise, book them out, hire cleaners, and
rinse repeat. Or you could hire a property management company like Locations Mountain
Management Services to save you all the work as well as the learning curve. We advertise
through all the major channels, have pricing strategies that will maximize your income, find you
the right guests, and handle all communication, day or night. The number of bookings we can get
for you, and the level of service we can provide to you, easily makes paying our management
commission a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to rent their property.

Locations Mountain Management Services is a local business with their finger on the pulse of
what owners require and guests desire. We provide with full-service property management for our
owners and booking services for their guests. We advertise on our website and all the major
booking channels, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia. Our amazing properties
sleep anywhere from 4–18 people, are clean and tidy, warm and inviting, and ideally located.
Most properties are Ski In/Ski Out, have Private Hot Tubs, and are Pet Friendly. We offer
discounts on stays over 7 days and 30 days. Our customer service always responds promptly and
efficiently, and our reliable and quality-obsessed in-house cleaning team will ensure your stay is
spotless.

Revamp Remodel Renovate

December 30, 2019 by Joan Wolf

We’re now in full swing and right before the New Year, this is one of my favorite times of the year! Shimmering snow on the mountains and the twinkling lights in the village, Big White is a wonderful place to be.

Whether you’re thinking about building from scratch see my previous entry or if you already have a property there are lots of options to make it modern. Perhaps you’ve found a property you really like but there are just a few things you want to upgrade. Renovations are a great way to keep your place current and increase its market value. Even if you have a slight fixer-upper don’t be discourage to sell, this might be the perfect project for someone else. You don’t have to break your budget either since you can start and finish at your own pace.

Consider A Few Things

A fresh coat of paint is a simple way to change the look and feel of a space and you can hire professionals or DIY.
Kitchens and bathrooms are good places to start whether you’re a buyer or a seller most people take notice of these areas. You don’t necessarily need to do major renovations either since small improvements help, consider changing sinks, countertops, appliances and hardware.
Floors are another way you can easily transform a space. Think about replacing broken tiles, hardwood panels, or removing old carpet.
Window coverings are another way you can redesign a space.
If your property is on the smaller side think about sprucing up outdoor areas to add more inviting spaces into the mix.

Depending on the project you are planning you might need a permit so be sure to find out more from your regional district or municipality. There are lots of home improvement magazines, TV shows and websites that can help you decide on the perfect designer look for you. Our friends at Weninger Construction can also help navigate your renovations needs.

Build at Big White

October 27, 2022December 12, 2019 by Joan Wolf

You can feel the excitement as 41 runs are now open and it’s just the beginning of the season! At 7595 ft Big White is one of the highest ranges in the Okanagan Highlands. Maybe this is one of the secrets to the Champagne Powder? For that reason and many others, we are the second largest ski resort in BC and continue to grow each year. Nestled in between the Monashee Mountains and the Okanagan Valley, this makes panoramic mountain views a reality. Our listings showcase a variety of price points making this a viable market for buyers and sellers.

With The Crescendo winning ‘Best Chalet’ at the World’s Ski Awards in Austria, Big White is getting recognized for its design and innovation. This definitely helps attract people from around the globe I gotta say, this ski resort continues to impress me! Imagine what you could do with your own custom build. Perhaps you’re thinking about a chalet or an investment property. Work with a team that has experience in designing and building on the mountain for over 30 years. The expertise of Weninger Construction can help you execute your dreams, take a look as they construct Black Forest Lodge.

As a result of the unique climate and terrain, you’ll want to consider durable materials like stone, wood, acrylic stucco or treated concrete. In addition, the mountain is home to sensitive plant life so you’ll need to strategize how to be of minimal impact on the environment. Keep in mind growing season is short so you’ll want to get plants that will thrive in those months. The mountain is also getting a 800K sewer upgrade. In case you have further questions about the development process application which needs to be obtained before a builders permit click here. Keep in mind Big White falls under the Kootney Boundry regional district zoning which allows for residential, high-density mixed residential\commercial, recreational, industrial, light industrial, and institutional & community facilities.

Check out these lots for some of the best locations to build in Feathertop. Feathertop is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods on the hill with access to Bullet Chair and Black Forest Chair. The alpine terrain is getting developed past here which makes this an ideal location to build your luxury chalet.

Big White Real Estate Update – July

October 27, 2022August 5, 2019 by Joan Wolf

July has come and gone and it brought some heat to the real estate market at Big White Ski Resort! 16 new listings hit the market in July, bringing the total number of active listings to 105 at the end of the month. The number of sales in July saw a massive increase of 95% from that in June, which only saw 5 sales throughout the month. The average days on market for Big White Ski Resort is sitting at 109 days, just one week more than that of the same time last year.

The average sale price in Big White Ski Resort has seen steady increase over the last few years. The average sale price in July 2019 was $459,179, a 17% increase from July 2018, and an increase of 40% from July 2017. These numbers are the reason why many out of town buyers and investors are coming to Big White Ski Resort to buy property. There is a price range for everyone from under 100,000-5,295,000. That’s right, you can own a piece of beautiful Big White for less than 100K!

The Big White Real Estate market remains strong into the second half of summer – don’t miss the opportunity to purchase your dream mountain home or to sell that investment property!! Get in touch with me today for a complimentary market analysis or to receive new active listings within your criteria!

History of Big White Part II

October 28, 2022May 30, 2019 by Joan Wolf

Continuing on from History of Big White Part I Big White Ski Resort showed continuous, steady growth from the 90’s and into the 2000’s. This second part to the history of Big White will showcase all of the incredible amenities and features that have been constructed until mid 2000’s.

The opening of a Walk-In Medical Center at the Whitefoot Lodge took place in 1994, along with a 100 seat conference center, Dom’s restaurant, and The Eagles and Chateau on the Ridge condominiums being constructed. The Ski Rental and Repair shop was also renovated during this time. In 1995, Big White Ski Resort invested more than $5 million in improvements to continue its growth. To accommodate its growth, a 350 car parking lot was placed between the Bullet and Black Forest and the White Crystal Inn opened offering deluxe accommodation and dining. On hill accommodations now exceeds 5,500 persons making Big White the largest on-mountain village in Western Canada!

The next few years brought the Ice Skating Rink, Snowboard Park, The Village Center Mall, The Big White Kid’s Center, Gem Lake Express Quad Chair and 1,200 acres of new terrain. Bringing the investment totals to over $75 million. Accommodations grew tremendously in 1997 and 1998 with the developments and expansions of Black Bear Lodge, The Coast Resort, Legacy Condominiums, Snowpines Estates, and The Ridge Day Lodge. Not long after in 1999, huge development milestones were hit with the completion of the Legend, Timber Ridge, Whiskey Jack, Treetops, Chateu at Big White projects. The Real Estate total for 2000 is $39.1 million!

In the early 2000’s, over $125 million was invested into the Gondola Woods Happy Valley Project. 100 acres of newly gladed terrain, summer grooming projects, and car park expansions were completed in 2001. While a year later, in 2002, a new super Olympic sized pipe, the 2nd one in Western Canada was constructed, along with the new skier bridge linking the village to Happy Valley. 2002 also saw a massive jump to nearly $50 million in real estate.

Stayed tuned for Part III