[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|20px||20px|false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.4″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Text” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]We hope the first few weeks of this new year finds you well. The past 10 months have been unimaginable and as we move forward we are all striving for more consistency and stability in the months to come. The past year was exceptional for real estate as you will read below.
There was a considerable amount of movement within the market with current owners in the resort selling and buying other properties. We welcomed a number of new families to town with many weekenders making Whistler their new primary residence. As well, we had several people who had been contemplating purchasing a property, deciding to act on buying a resort property.
Market conditions are continually changing, if you are thinking of buying or selling, please feel free to get in touch, I am always happy to help.
Wishing you a healthy and successful New Year!
A Look Back on 2020 and the Real Estate Market
If we could use a few words to describe the Whistler real estate market in 2020 it would be that it was a roller coaster ride. Sales activity started slowly and then dropped to almost nothing in the second quarter, recovered and roared ahead to historical levels in the third and fourth quarters while slowing again in December.
Overall, for the year the total value of reported sales exceeded one billion dollars, and the total number of sales transactions increased by over 30 percent as compared to 2019.
The increase in demand can be attributed to a combination of historically low interest rates which improved purchasing power; significant wealth creation as a result of the K shaped economy; the attractiveness of small towns associated with health and safety around Covid concerns; and increased awareness of both the effectiveness and flexibility of remote working.
These factors led to a strong real estate market not just in Whistler and the Sea to Sky, but in smaller communities across North America. This strong demand in Whistler, however, resulted in a significant drop in the number of properties being offered for sale and values have increased in all categories of real estate in Whistler at year end as compared to the end of 2019.
Market Snapshot
The strongest segments of the market were in the single-family market (highlighted by a record number of transactions above $4,000,000, including a sale of $19,000,000) and the family-orientated townhouse market. As such these two categories accounted for almost 65% of the value transacted for the year.
The condominium market was slightly slower than 2019 but this slight slowdown had no impact on valuations.
As of the end of December, the average transaction value for the Whistler marketplace was $1,533,451, approximately a 22% increase from 2019.
Currently the average transaction value of a single-family home is $3,445,238 (median of $2,450,000). Townhouses are averaging $1,433,905 (median of $1,240,000) and condominiums are averaging a sales value of $839,590 (median of $675,000).
Looking Ahead to 2021
Firstly, we’d like to hope for less uncertainty and unexpected events. Marketplaces do not like unpredictability, so we see the possibility of a workable vaccine, a relaxation of travel restrictions, less political turmoil south of the border, and continued very low interest rates as positives for the market.
As a result of the 2020 marketplace the number of properties currently available for sale are 25% below where it was a year ago at this time. This, combined with no new developments to be brought to the market in 2021, we would expect activity levels to be lower but prices to be supported and to continue to move higher in Whistler.
The fundamental framework of the Whistler Marketplace is very favorable to real estate investment and as one of the most beautiful places in the world to interact with the mountains, it will continue to attract buyers and investors.
Whistler Real Estate: The Magazine – Now On Stands!
Welcome to our newly designed, and updated Whistler Real Estate Company magazine. We have arranged this issue by listing price, and throughout the pages you will find a selection of recent real estate offerings from Whistler to Pemberton, including some QR codes so you can see all the listing details. We have neighbourhood pages offering you insights on what each area offers in terms of living. You will also find a selection of local profiles on those dedicated, hardworking individuals that make Whistler and Pemberton what it is. We hope you enjoy this new magazine.
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