REW.ca » MAPLE RIDGE / PITT MEADOWS » FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2015 1•

R E A L E S T A T E W E E K L Y

MAPLE RIDGE PITT MEADOWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015info@rew.ca • 604-435-7977

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Vancouver Real Estate Pricey But Not

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As prices in urban centres like Vancouver continue skyrocketing, the allure of the full-time vacation lifestyle

is gaining traction with an ever more diverse group of buyers. According to the 2015 Re/Max Recreational Property Report, 20 per cent of British Columbians would downsize their main residence to purchase a cottage. Now, some homeowners are carrying this trend one step further – cashing out of their primary city residence and using the equity to live full-time, often mortgage-free, in their vacation home.

Great Choice for BoomersJames Askew, president of rareEarth

Project Marketing, believes baby boomers will continue to drive the trend of transform-ing a summer vacation property into a four-season home.

But wherever that recreational property, this discerning market want something more than a bare-bones roof over their heads. “As boomers approach the age of retirement, they’re looking for upscale, maintenance-free living that still off ers access to the ame-nities of town.”

For Albertans, he says, that’s often the Okanagan – where increasing numbers of daily WestJet fl ights make it easy to get back for visits with friends and grandchildren in Calgary or Edmonton. Vancouverites who enjoy the relaxation of ferry travel might choose the deals found in locations like the Sunshine Coast or Gulf Islands.

Lifestyle Choice for Young FamiliesHowever, it’s not just retiring baby boom-

ers making this leap – it’s an increasing trend among families with children too. Laurie and Carle Proskin, both successful home-based business owners, are one couple who took the plunge and have never looked back. After enjoying their $500,000 cottage at Cultus Lake in Chilliwack as a vacation retreat for almost fi ve years, they realized it off ered a better, more cost-eff ective, full-time life than their $2 million-plus, single-family house in Vancouver.

“It’s a better lifestyle for our two kids and a more social one for us,” Laurie says. “Our children are always outside riding their bikes, playing with other kids, or going down to the lake.”

She sees plenty of ongoing fi nancial ben-efi ts too. “We don’t have to pay for parking any more – that still astounds me. And because there are so many activities for the kids, I spend way less on entertainment – they’re relearning how to make their own fun.”

Their neighbours, Maureen and Marc Hollaar, are also concrete jungle transplants. Maureen admits that initially the idea of pay-ing more than $200 a month on strata fees was a stumbling block. “But when you con-sider the amenities – pool, gym, clubhouse – it works. We have a 1,700-square-foot, three-bedroom-and-loft home with a cost of living that’s signifi cantly less than the city. Plus when the kids are grown up, if we want

to travel for half the year, we can easily rent it out.”

Taking a Gradual ApproachVince and Kathy Taylor are taking a more

staged approach to moving full time into their lakeside property near Squamish. “We were spending increasing time there, so we decided to try it for a year,” Vince explains. Now almost half a year into the experiment, the allure of outdoor living has lost none of its sheen.

“And typically it still takes less time to drive to our Vancouver offi ce than if we were living in Langley or Abbotsford.”

Another retiree, Constantine Anastasopoulos, saw opportunity in the Okanagan. “Yes, living in Yaletown was exciting,” he says. “But now I live in a newer home priced considerably lower than Vancouver. Plus my partner can ride horses again – you can’t do that in down-town Vancouver. We bought a couple of years ago when prices in the Okanagan were in a lull, so it’s been a good invest-ment as well.”

The Relaxation Quotient Ultimately, buyers and industry ana-

lysts alike agree that embracing rec-reational property as a full-time home is about a more relaxed way of living. “People are making a conscious decision to have a more social, engaged lifestyle,”

says Steven Van Geel, sales director for Cottages at Cultus Lake and Creekside Mills at Cultus Lake. “They want to live where they can feel safe letting their kids out to play with friends and where they know their neighbours.”

“I think people are missing the sense of community you fi nd in a vacation commu-nity,” says Maureen. “So many of our friends tell us they’d love to live here full time… and we are.”

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Year-Round Vacation Living: All About the Lifestyle

•2 REW.ca » MAPLE RIDGE / PITT MEADOWS » FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2015

Jim Isherwood604-250-7755

jimisherwood@royallepage.ca

Nicole Isherwood604-467-5000

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REW.ca » MAPLE RIDGE / PITT MEADOWS » FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2015 3•

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•4 REW.ca » MAPLE RIDGE / PITT MEADOWS » FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2015MAPLE RIDGE • PITT MEADOWS (INCLUDES MISSION LISTINGS)

R E A L E S T A T E W E E K L Y

Looking for a newhome? Start here.

F R I D A Y , A U G U S T 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

I n P r i n t > O n l i n e > I t ’ s A l l H e r e

Brio: Tsawwassen Urban Living at its Best When a new condominium project

came across recently retired Delta Fire Department deputy chief Rob Cullen’s desk, he was intrigued. Then, when he and his wife Debbie viewed the show home at Brio, they were instantly sold.

“I just retired after 37 years and we were ready to downsize,” says Cullen. “In addition, it is only two blocks away from our daughter and grandson’s home … it’s a win win.”

After more than three decades living in their large North Delta family home, the couple is ecstatic about all of the positives condo living is going to aff ord them.

“I’m really looking forward to the idea of not having to mow the lawn anymore,” he says with a chuckle. “For my wife, she is thrilled about having a brand new home … especially the gorgeous kitchen.

She hasn’t had new kitchen appliances in more than 30 years.”

The couple bought a west facing 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home on the top level.

“The homes are beautifully built and close to absolutely everything we love – especially our wonderful grandson,” says Cullen, adding they look forward to the turnkey lifestyle that will aff ord them weeks of camping with their family.

The couple’s excitement has been echoed over and over again by those who have already bought.

“Many buyers tell us they love the loca-tion,” says Doug Lucier, sales and market-ing manager for the Extol Developments project. “First and foremost the loca-tion is perfect, centrally located in Tsawwassen yet on a quiet street.”

In the heart of one of the most sought-

after neighbourhoods in Delta is where you will discover Brio, a boutique four-storey wood-frame building featuring a stunning collection of 58 one-, two- and three-bedroom homes ranging from 687 to 1,887 square feet. Miles and miles of sun-soaked beaches, picturesque walking trails, great shopping and coff ee shops are minutes from Brio’s doorstep.

Brio off ers truly livable suite designs by the award-winning Portico Design Group – luxurious fi nishing touches and a level of aff ordability that appeals to all types of home buyers. The contemporary West Coast homes are distinguished by open interiors beautifully appointed with such features as engineered hardwood fl oors in the living, dining and kitchen areas, stainless steel appliances, quartz coun-tertops in the kitchens and bathrooms, generous nine-foot ceilings and oversized

balconies or patios. In addition, each res-idence is showcased by expansive win-dows allowing for lots of natural light and exteriors that include brick and Hardi sid-ing. Brio is also next door to everything urbanites need, including good schools, shopping, transportation, and more.

With more than 75 per cent of the homes sold and prices starting from $387,000 for a 1,040-square-foot, two-bedroom and two-bathroom home, these residences won’t last.

“There is still a great selection of two-bedroom homes to be had,” adds Lucier.

To view by appointment only at its new Sales Centre at Sutton Group Seafair, 1625 56 Street in Tsawwassen, call 604-943-8811 or visit www.brioliving.com. Occupancy is slated for winter 2015.