Big White Real Estate Report: Q3 Update
Well folks, it’s the first week of October. The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner. But really what we’re all counting down for is opening day at Big White! November 30th, 2019 is marked on the calendar. If we’re lucky we’ll get off to the slopes even sooner. With summer only just coming to a close we’ve already been getting snow and not just through the night.
The Summer of 2019 is one to remember at Big White. This was the 2nd summer for the resort operating Big White Bike Park along with the the lift assisted hiking and being the venue for various festivals. In addition to all these fun activities, the third quarter of 2019 was very busy for Big White real estate. There were a total of 43 Big White vacation properties sold in the third quarter of 2019! This included 5 detached private ski homes, 2 private duplex homes, 10 townhouses, 24 ski condos, and 2 building lots. The number of sales are right on par with 2017 and 2018 which saw the sale of 47 and 44 ski homes, condos, and lots, respectively.
big white sales numbers and values
What did change (and quite drastically) is the total sales in dollar volume and the average selling price.Just 3 short years ago, the average sale in Q3-2017 was CDN $339,836 and total sale in dollar volume was CDN $15.6 million. Average sale price then increased to CDN $381,134 in Q3-2018 before skyrocketing to CDN $452,815 in Q3-2019. Total sales in dollar volume climbed to CDN $16.77 million in Q3-2017 and then jumped to CDN $19.47 million for Q3-2019. These are fantastic numbers for families and investors who own Big White real estate!
Looking a little more closely at these numbers, we see that of the 24 condos sold at Big White in Q3, the lowest priced condo sold for just $89,500 and the highest priced condo sold for $555,000. The average price for Big White condos was CSN $349,579. This average price is a solid valuation increase, up from CDN $316,456 from this time last year. The top selling condo building for Q3 was The Raven in Happy Valley with 3 vacation condos selling there. One of them had been on the market since last June, one since last October, and one since January. Sundance Resort was another popular place with 2 condos selling there in Q3. With one listed this past May and one only in August, these two properties sold incredibly fast at less than 3 months and only 28 days on the market, respectively! Sundance Resort though, where else do you get all of the amenities this place has to offer with a 3-bedroom with a lock off for under $500,000! For a younger couple or empty nester this is perfect. Keep the 1-bedroom for yourself and pay for the investment with your rental income. Keep the entire place for yourself at Christmas if you want to invite and up celebrate with the entire family.
Now looking at townhouses of which 10 Big White townhouses sold in Q3. The lowest priced townhouse sold for CDN $290,000 and the highest priced townhouse sold for CDN $1,085,000. The average price for Big White townhouses was CDN $540,465. This average price is a solid valuation increase, up from CDN $435,500 from this time last year. We saw sales in Bear Paw, Snowbanks, Silvertip Landing, Trailside Heights, Legends, the brand new Grizzly Ridge Estates, and others. Since none saw the most, let’s take a look at the low and high. Every family on a budget thinking about purchasing a wonderful Big White ski chalet should look at Trailside Heights. Where else can you get your very own 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, townhouse with a private hot tub for under $300,000. The advertisement said this one would sell fast and it sure did - just 36 days on the market. On the other end of the spectrum, the 3000 sq.ft. (279 m²), 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo at The Legends in the village sold for just over a million. This unbeatable location and luxurious property has it all. This one sold in just 11 days on the market!
Now looking at private ski homes. A total of 7 vacation homes sold at Big White in Q3, 5 detached and 2 in multiplex. The lowest priced ski home sold for CDN $489,000 and the highest priced ski home sold for CDN $1,075,000. The average price for Big White homes was CDN $704,786. This average price is a solid valuation increase, up from CDN $614,667 from this time last year. 5 of the 7 homes that sold were situated in Snow Pine Estates with these ski homes selling between CDN $489,000 and CDN $615,000. Many of the homes in this neighbourhood were built in the early 90s but there are some good deals here and an opportunity to add value - perfect for budget buyers or fix and rent investors.
Here’s a look at some of what sold
Detached Family Ski Homes and Multiplex Homes
425 Feathertop Way - a beautiful custom home built in 2007 in the exclusive Feathertop Estates neighbourhood. Homes in the area typically sell for more than a million dollars - a relative bargain for similar luxurious vacations homes at ski resorts around the world. This home is a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom, ski home sprawling over 2,545 sq.ft. (236 m²) of living space over 3 levels. Advertised as having, “Stunning 18-foot entertainer's kitchen featuring huge sit up granite eating bar, stainless appliances, gas range & pantry, heated floors, and a huge hot tub on the deck with stunning views,” you know the new owners will absolutely love their new mountain retreat at Big White.
#1 - 360 White Horse Lane - one of the renowned Woodcutter Cabins in the Happy Valley neighbourhood, this private ski home is a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, ski home sprawling over 2,547 sq.ft. (236 m²) of living space over a total of 4 levels including the basement level which also has a double garage. Advertised as having, “20' vaulted ceilings, massive windows drench the space with light, luxury finishings including handscraped hardwoord floors, granite countertops, and heated slate bathroom floors, 4 fireplaces!!!! and a massive deck with a hot tub,” you can see what attracted the fortunate new owner. This gorgeous cabin in the woods is 1 of only 2 of the 4-bedroom Woodcutter Cabins built in 2007 to have changed ownership in the past 10 years. Also of note, this one sold for 84% more than the last one! Wow, real estate at Big White has really gone up in value lately.
A - 5095 Snowpines Way - the ideal family ski chalet in Snow Pine Estates where you can ski-in/ski-out easily with access to Serwa’s ski run just up the hill from the Snow Ghost Chair and Ridge Rocket Chair lifts. This private ski home is one of 4 in a rustic looking fourplex built in 2002. It’s a 3-bedroom, 3-bathoom, 2-storey with a total of 1744 sq.ft. (162 m²) of living space. This home is perfect for families with its open layout and large living room with a beautiful stone feature wall and coazy fireplace. You can easily imagine sitting here playing board games; the kids drinking hot cocoa and the parents sipping Okanagan wine.
Lots
Lot 84 Feathertop Estates - this beautiful lot which was originally three separate lots, offers nearly a third of an acre of partially cleared forested land and stunning panoramic views of the Monashee Mountains. This lot is among the highest in elevation at Big White and therefore is a fantastic ski in/ ski out location; both the Bullet Chair and Black Forest Chair lifts are right there. Advertised as a “Once in a lifetime opportunity to build and experience your dream mountain chalet,” we can’t wait to see the masterpiece the new owner creates. This lot was the second-highest priced residential lot to sell at Big White ever! A little birdie in the treetops tells us that the new owner is one of our very own locals, turned famous NHL player and his wife. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of him skiing or playing hockey with the kids at Canada's highest outdoor skating rink in Happy Valley. See available lots for sale in Feathertop Estates.
Lot 4 The Terraces - this is a fantastic 0.10 acre lot offering stunning views of the valleys and mountains surrounding Big White. The Terraces is a new development in the Feathertop neighbourhood situated between the Sundance and Copper Kettle Lodge condominiums. This location offers easy access to Bullet Chair and Black Forest Chair lifts, and is only a 5 minute walk into the village.
Ski Condo
#204 - 375 Raven Ridge Road - a fantastic ski-in/ski-out condo in the desirable Stonegate condo building in the Village neighbourhood. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, ski homes built in 2009 offers a spacious 1382 sq.ft. (128 m²) of living space. The entrance opens up into a thoughtfully designed foyer for high-traffic and space for your ski boots and winter gear before flowing into the rest of the main living areas for cooking, dining, lounging, and relaxing. The master bedroom has a full ensuite with a soaker tub and shower and the two other bedrooms while smaller still offer plenty of space. The covered balcony with a private hot tub is a great place to unwind after a hectic week at work or long day of skiing. Here you can also take in views of the Monashee Mountains or watch the kids play in the complex’s heated outdoor pool below. Stonegate also features other amenities including a jaccuzzi, theatre room, rec/games room, and exercise room. Learn more about Stonegate Resort at Big White.
#106 - 5030 Snowbird Way - an upscale ski-in/ski-out condo in the desirable Raven condo building in the Happy Valley Neighbourhood. There were a total of 3 sales this amazing building in Q3 and with values up by roughly $100,000 since 2015 it’s easy to see why. This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, ski home built in 2006 offers a spacious 1186 sq.ft. (110 m²) of living space. A stylish and comfortable retreat after a day on the slopes; this ski condo offers an open layout and high-end finishings throughout. Some luxuries include a heated cork flooring thanks to geothermal heating, steam shower, and a private hot tub. In addition to your apartment, The Raven features building amenities including a fitness centre and indoor swimming pool. This is a great location where you can easily meet friends down at the day lodge or go for a world-class steak dinner at the Kettle Valley Steakhouse. Learn more about The Raven at Big White
