MARKET REPORT
Despite a slow start to the year in 2013, strong interest in Whistler real estate continued and both sales activity and the total value of all completed transactions in 2013 reached their highest levels in 5 years. As a result, the number of properties offered for sale continues to decline and we expect that this should lead to continued upward pressure on sales prices in 2014.
On a year-to-year basis, the total number of transactions increased by 10.9% in 2013. The most noticeable gains were seen in the single family market (50% for homes and 42% for vacant lots). Condominium sales and townhouse sales, which account for over 65 % of all transaction in Whistler, remained largely unchanged as over 415 properties transferred hands.
In 2013, the total dollar value of transactions increased by 17% as compared to 2012 and the average transaction dollar value increased by 6.1% (to $709,359) over the course of 2013.
Average transaction values for each property segment clearly represented the nature of properties being offered for sale in 2013. Both single family and condominium average transaction values fell (single family by 9.6% to $1,439,353 and condominiums by 17% to $315,194). This trend was the result of both the significant number of properties available in lower price ranges and because buyers continued to focus on good value at lower price points. The average value of a townhouse transaction remains unchanged compared to last year and sits at $675,000. Overall, buyers continue to be interested in lifestyle oriented properties suitable for families.
With over 75% of all transactions valued below $1,000,000, real estate in Whistler continues to be well priced as compared to other comparable resort areas, despite the town’s world class resort reputation. However, the Whistler marketplace is small and tightly traded so good value opportunities sell quickly.
Whistler continues to evolve and expand the range of recreational and cultural experiences offered to both investors and tourists. This, combined with increased confidence in the general economy world wide and in our primary target markets in the Lower mainland of Vancouver and the Pacific Rim, leads us to expect that 2014 will continue to build on the steadily upward trend we have experienced since 2010 as buyers actively pursue real estate opportunities in and around Whistler.
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Tuesday, January 21, 2014
January 2014 Market Report
Friday, November 1, 2013
The Whistler Real Estate Co. is on the move!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
“I have always believed it is better to be an owner than a tenant,” says Pat Kelly, owner of Whistler Real Estate Co. In a ‘no physical growth in real estate’ environment, Kelly saw the opportunity to buy and jumped at it. As Whistler’s longest serving and busiest real estate company, Kelly believes that “being in the village is mandatory to creating awareness of what we do and who we are to both locals and visitors.” The new location – across from the Whistler Public Library – is central to all areas of the village. It has easy access to parking, meeting spaces, Muni-Hall and is easy for our clients to find us.
The new location, at 4,000 sq. feet, is also big enough to bring all of the over 40 realtors that make up the Whistler Real Estate Company under one roof. By bringing realtors, assistants and administration under one roof will give certainty on fixed costs, but more importantly, sales synergy will be created which will help drive business.
The new location, which had originally been a restaurant, had to undergo some substantial renovations before it would be at office standard. The reno, which is being done by Philip Glen of Squamish Prefab, has the space being taken right back to the concrete and replacing everything from heating to flooring. The reno will take approximately four months, and the move into the new space will happen early in the new year. While moving locations is a long process which has been in the works for years, but, in the end, Kelly feels it will all be worth the effort.
“With the high ceilings and extensive windows we think we will have a very efficient, open, well-lit plan which will be enjoyable to work in and interesting to visit,” he said.
The new location, at 4,000 sq. feet, is also big enough to bring all of the over 40 realtors that make up the Whistler Real Estate Company under one roof. By bringing realtors, assistants and administration under one roof will give certainty on fixed costs, but more importantly, sales synergy will be created which will help drive business.
The new location, which had originally been a restaurant, had to undergo some substantial renovations before it would be at office standard. The reno, which is being done by Philip Glen of Squamish Prefab, has the space being taken right back to the concrete and replacing everything from heating to flooring. The reno will take approximately four months, and the move into the new space will happen early in the new year. While moving locations is a long process which has been in the works for years, but, in the end, Kelly feels it will all be worth the effort.
“With the high ceilings and extensive windows we think we will have a very efficient, open, well-lit plan which will be enjoyable to work in and interesting to visit,” he said.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wurtele and Bromme take Ironman Whistler 2013 by Andrew Mitchell and Clare Ogilvie
http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/a-great-day-for-racing/Content?oid=2471899
This year’s winners of the Whistler Ironman both had a first place finish in their sights when they took to Alta Lake at 6:45 a.m. Sunday morning, Aug. 25.
Taking first place for the men was pro triathlete Trevor Wurtele of Kelowna, B.C. finishing in 8:39:33.
The top woman was Uli Bromme, taking her first Ironman win in 9:28:13.
“I started off with an average swim — I think I was maybe second to last out of the water, which was disappointing for me,” said Bromme at the finish line.
“I started feeling really good on the bike about a quarter of the way through and I was able to pass some girls and in the turnaround was in the lead.
“I wasn’t sure I would do that well on the run and I know Lisa (Ribes) is a fast runner so I said to myself you have to run hard today.
“And I haven’t checked the splits, but that might have been a personal best.”
The Boulder, Colorado pro triathlete made her debut Ironman performance in Hawaii in 2008, finishing in 11 hours plus. Since then she has steadily improved. On her blog she said her motivation to train, “is to win an Ironman.”
This is Wurtele’s first win this year, though he won Ironman 70.3 New Orleans in 2012. The triathlete was a competitive skier until aged 16.
He began taking part in Ironman events in 2009.
“(The run was) nothing special,” said Wurtele at the finish line.
“I just ran on the borderline of being really uncomfortable, and finally he (Matthew Russell) dropped off at about (mile) six or seven.
“Once that happened it gave me a little bit of a boost of energy.”
Whistler’s Ben Biswell finished in 10:56:24.
“I was a rubbish swimmer when I was younger, but I had shoulder surgery a few years ago so I started swimming to make it stronger,” said Biswell after the race.
“The bike was mainly because I had a little ankle injury and I couldn’t run that much.
“So I said I’d run a triathlon and that was last summer and I just stayed into it.”
Results are listed at www.ironman.com. Other Whistler races included Mike Edwards at 12:32:01, Christine Suter at 12:07:20 and Ashley Macmillan at 10:59:02.
EARLIER TODAY
Conditions couldn't be more perfect for the 31st anniversary of Ironman Canada, taking place for the first time at its new home at Whistler today, Sunday. Aug. 25.
The event sold out within a week of going on sale, and some 2,500 athletes and at least as many spectators crowded Rainbow Park as the sun peeked out over Wedge and Blackcomb mountains.
The temperature was a cool nine degrees Celsius at the 7 a.m. start, a little warmer than the forecast of six degrees. Temperatures are rising and it was 13 degrees by 9:30 a.m. with almost no wind for the cyclists and an expected high of 22 — an ideal day for racing. Even Pemberton is expected to remain in the low 20s today with light winds for most of the day.
Bryan Rhodes of New Zealand was first out of the water in 49 minutes and five seconds, followed closely by Dominik Berger of Austria and Andrew Russell of North Saanich. By the one-third point on the 112-mile/180km bike it was still a tight race with the top 10 men sitting with eight minutes of each other.
The top female racer out of the water was Christina Jackson of California in 55:11, followed by Christine Anderson of Colorado in 55:13 and Keiko Tanaka of Japan in 55:17. Tanaka took over the lead on the bike leg, although by the one-third point the top eight women were separated by just five minutes.
There's a $75,000 prize purse up for grabs this year and athletes haven't been holding anything back.
The riders will head out to Pemberton Meadows and back to Whistler for the second transition, before heading out onto the 42.2km run course.
On flat Ironman courses the top men regularly break the eight hour mark but this hilly course will likely take well over eight hours to complete. Spectators should expect the first runners at Whistler Olympic Plaza after 2:30 p.m. Crowds are huge, so get there early to be able to see. Take the Valley Trail or bus into town, as there is limited access to the highway and parking will be challenging.
The timer shuts off at midnight, 17 hours after the start of the age categories. Some of the most inspirational runners will cross the line with minutes to spare.
This year some of the highlights include Ottawa athlete Sindy Hooper, who may be the first Ironman competitor anywhere in the world to race while actively undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer.
This year’s winners of the Whistler Ironman both had a first place finish in their sights when they took to Alta Lake at 6:45 a.m. Sunday morning, Aug. 25.
Taking first place for the men was pro triathlete Trevor Wurtele of Kelowna, B.C. finishing in 8:39:33.
The top woman was Uli Bromme, taking her first Ironman win in 9:28:13.
“I started off with an average swim — I think I was maybe second to last out of the water, which was disappointing for me,” said Bromme at the finish line.
“I started feeling really good on the bike about a quarter of the way through and I was able to pass some girls and in the turnaround was in the lead.
“I wasn’t sure I would do that well on the run and I know Lisa (Ribes) is a fast runner so I said to myself you have to run hard today.
“And I haven’t checked the splits, but that might have been a personal best.”
The Boulder, Colorado pro triathlete made her debut Ironman performance in Hawaii in 2008, finishing in 11 hours plus. Since then she has steadily improved. On her blog she said her motivation to train, “is to win an Ironman.”
This is Wurtele’s first win this year, though he won Ironman 70.3 New Orleans in 2012. The triathlete was a competitive skier until aged 16.
He began taking part in Ironman events in 2009.
“(The run was) nothing special,” said Wurtele at the finish line.
“I just ran on the borderline of being really uncomfortable, and finally he (Matthew Russell) dropped off at about (mile) six or seven.
“Once that happened it gave me a little bit of a boost of energy.”
Whistler’s Ben Biswell finished in 10:56:24.
“I was a rubbish swimmer when I was younger, but I had shoulder surgery a few years ago so I started swimming to make it stronger,” said Biswell after the race.
“The bike was mainly because I had a little ankle injury and I couldn’t run that much.
“So I said I’d run a triathlon and that was last summer and I just stayed into it.”
Results are listed at www.ironman.com. Other Whistler races included Mike Edwards at 12:32:01, Christine Suter at 12:07:20 and Ashley Macmillan at 10:59:02.
Conditions couldn't be more perfect for the 31st anniversary of Ironman Canada, taking place for the first time at its new home at Whistler today, Sunday. Aug. 25.
The event sold out within a week of going on sale, and some 2,500 athletes and at least as many spectators crowded Rainbow Park as the sun peeked out over Wedge and Blackcomb mountains.
The temperature was a cool nine degrees Celsius at the 7 a.m. start, a little warmer than the forecast of six degrees. Temperatures are rising and it was 13 degrees by 9:30 a.m. with almost no wind for the cyclists and an expected high of 22 — an ideal day for racing. Even Pemberton is expected to remain in the low 20s today with light winds for most of the day.
Bryan Rhodes of New Zealand was first out of the water in 49 minutes and five seconds, followed closely by Dominik Berger of Austria and Andrew Russell of North Saanich. By the one-third point on the 112-mile/180km bike it was still a tight race with the top 10 men sitting with eight minutes of each other.
The top female racer out of the water was Christina Jackson of California in 55:11, followed by Christine Anderson of Colorado in 55:13 and Keiko Tanaka of Japan in 55:17. Tanaka took over the lead on the bike leg, although by the one-third point the top eight women were separated by just five minutes.
There's a $75,000 prize purse up for grabs this year and athletes haven't been holding anything back.
The riders will head out to Pemberton Meadows and back to Whistler for the second transition, before heading out onto the 42.2km run course.
On flat Ironman courses the top men regularly break the eight hour mark but this hilly course will likely take well over eight hours to complete. Spectators should expect the first runners at Whistler Olympic Plaza after 2:30 p.m. Crowds are huge, so get there early to be able to see. Take the Valley Trail or bus into town, as there is limited access to the highway and parking will be challenging.
The timer shuts off at midnight, 17 hours after the start of the age categories. Some of the most inspirational runners will cross the line with minutes to spare.
This year some of the highlights include Ottawa athlete Sindy Hooper, who may be the first Ironman competitor anywhere in the world to race while actively undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Mortgage Update
This is an interesting video clip to watch. Might be time to think about locking that mortgage down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICYJ5YEE5U&feature=em-subs_digest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICYJ5YEE5U&feature=em-subs_digest
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Dine in Whistler - May 1 to 16, 2013
Whistler's favourite spring-time culinary event is back! For two weeks this May, Dine in Whistler is serving up a diverse range of restaurants at exceptional value, from honest pub fare to authentic ethnic cuisine and fine dining. Great food and great rates on accommodation - it's the perfect recipe for a spring getaway to the mountains.
Browse the website to see diverse dining options and multi-course menus from $21 to $41.
http://www.whistler.com/dinein/
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Whistler to host Ironman Canada next August
Penticton mayor calls August date 'predatory'
CBC News Posted: Oct 12, 2012 7:37 AM PT Last Updated: Oct 12, 2012
The Penticton Ironman Canada's last race was in 2012. Kelowna loses Ironman bid to Whistler.
Officials in Whistler, B.C. are celebrating after learning the town has been chosen to host the next five Ironman Canada races, starting next year on Aug. 25.
The World Triathlon Corporation has confirmed the resort community will take over the event from Penticton, which bowed out last year after holding the Ironman for 30 years.
Tourism Whistler president Barrett Fisher says the race is a natural fit for the resort community.
"Whistler has a number of natural assets when it comes to our mountains, our lakes and valley trail infrastructure which make it an ideal location to host such an event," said Fisher.
Kelowna and Huntsville, Ontario, were also in the running to host the Ironman race, which has athletes competing in a course that includes cycling, swimming and running.
Kelowna's Mayor Walter Gray says despite the loss, Kelowna remains committed to establishing itself as a centre for multi-sport excellence.
"We wanted it very badly for Kelowna we're naturally disappointed in the announcement that it's going to Whistler - but good on Whistler - and congratulations to them," said Gray.
Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton says the World Triathlon Corporation made a "predatory" decision by scheduling the Whistler Ironman next year, on the same day as Penticton's new extreme race event.
Penticton gave up the gruelling triathlon -- which attracts thousands of athletes annually -- in order to work with another company and focus on a new challenge series also set for Aug. 25.
Last year Penticton held its last Ironman on Aug. 26, 2012. The first Whistler Ironman Canada event will happen on Aug. 25. The event will then be held in July for the following four years.
CBC News Posted: Oct 12, 2012 7:37 AM PT Last Updated: Oct 12, 2012
The Penticton Ironman Canada's last race was in 2012. Kelowna loses Ironman bid to Whistler.
Officials in Whistler, B.C. are celebrating after learning the town has been chosen to host the next five Ironman Canada races, starting next year on Aug. 25.
The World Triathlon Corporation has confirmed the resort community will take over the event from Penticton, which bowed out last year after holding the Ironman for 30 years.
Tourism Whistler president Barrett Fisher says the race is a natural fit for the resort community.
"Whistler has a number of natural assets when it comes to our mountains, our lakes and valley trail infrastructure which make it an ideal location to host such an event," said Fisher.
Kelowna and Huntsville, Ontario, were also in the running to host the Ironman race, which has athletes competing in a course that includes cycling, swimming and running.
Kelowna's Mayor Walter Gray says despite the loss, Kelowna remains committed to establishing itself as a centre for multi-sport excellence.
"We wanted it very badly for Kelowna we're naturally disappointed in the announcement that it's going to Whistler - but good on Whistler - and congratulations to them," said Gray.
Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton says the World Triathlon Corporation made a "predatory" decision by scheduling the Whistler Ironman next year, on the same day as Penticton's new extreme race event.
Penticton gave up the gruelling triathlon -- which attracts thousands of athletes annually -- in order to work with another company and focus on a new challenge series also set for Aug. 25.
Last year Penticton held its last Ironman on Aug. 26, 2012. The first Whistler Ironman Canada event will happen on Aug. 25. The event will then be held in July for the following four years.
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