All About Vacation Homes in Canmore

Owning a cottage or vacation home in Canada offers its own bragging rights. Vacation properties in Western Canada are now scarce. During the pandemic, many buyers purchased cottages to escape city life, and numerous recreational homes have since become primary residences. This shift to rural living has driven up prices in Canada’s vacation real estate market. Combined with the popularity of short-term rentals, it’s no surprise that these properties are highly coveted assets. If you’re considering purchasing vacation homes in Canmore, it’s important to ensure your financial readiness. On the other hand, if you’re looking to cash in on your investment, keeping up with market trends is critical in choosing the right time to list.

In this article, we will be covering a market update on vacation homes in Canmore. Follow along below to learn more!

Are You Financially Ready to Buy Vacation Homes in Canmore

Deciding to buy vacation homes in Canmore is exciting. However, it’s important to determine your financial readiness before making the choice to purchase. According to RE/MAX Canada’s Cottage Trends Report, recreational property prices are expected to rise by 6.8% in 2024. However, this figure is higher for vacation homes in Canmore, with an expected price increase of 10% year-over-year. As such, it is important to assess your financial situation carefully. This includes evaluating your budget, securing financing, and considering ongoing maintenance costs. 

With the current interest rates, many Canadians find it challenging to own even one home, let alone a vacation property. However, this wasn’t always the case. Not too long ago, Canadians could afford their primary residence as well as a cottage or vacation home. It wasn’t until the pandemic struck that prices began to skyrocket, driving up the average market cost of a typical vacation home. In today’s market, owning a cottage can cost as much, if not more, than a person’s primary residence.

Is a Vacation Home in Canmore/Banff Right For You?

Once you’ve determined that you’re financially able to purchase a vacation home, it’s a good idea to evaluate your lifestyle compatibility with such a property. Additionally, you’ll want to consider how much investment potential the asset holds. One of the first questions that you should ask yourself is how often you intend to use the property. If you only anticipate visiting a few times per year, it may be more cost-effective to rent during those specific periods. Another factor to keep in mind is how far your primary residence is from the secondary property. A vacation home that is too challenging/time-consuming to access may not be practical for regular use. You’ll also want to make sure that the location supports the recreational and lifestyle choices that you seek from your vacation property. 

Beyond general lifestyle compatibility, it’s also important to check the investment potential of the property. This is especially important for those who plan to rent out the property during their time at home or resell in the near future. A good way to gauge a property’s investment potential is to research local market trends and look at historical data from years past. This will help you better understand current trends as well as common factors that influence property values in the area. 

For those who plan to use their property for short or long-term rentals, be sure to check the zoning of the vacation home. Zoning in Canmore has become much stricter to eliminate short-term rentals and improve long-term housing options for locals. Finally, you’ll want to evaluate your future plans. Do you plan on retiring in your vacation home? Will it be passed through the family for generations? Or, is it simply a way to grow your investment portfolio?

Market Insights on the Recreational Property Market in Canmore

Given the steady price increases in Canmore, now could be a favourable time to cash in on your vacation investment. Of cottage owners who aren’t choosing to sell this year, the majority will be holding on to their properties despite high interest rates and affordability concerns. Cottage prices have gone up in 83% of Western Canada’s recreational markets. As we noted earlier, a year-over-year price gain of 10% was recorded in Canmore during Q1. 

Compared with last year’s conditions, Canmore’s cottage market is continuing to favour sellers. The main driver of recreational property sales in Canmore are retirees, followed by families, and investment buyers. Among buyers purchasing vacation homes in Canmore, the most favourable amenities include access to outdoor recreation, proximity to water, and close-knit communities. 

Contact us About Vacation Homes in Canmore Today!

If you are interested in learning more about vacation homes in Canmore, get in touch today! 

Canmore is an incredible area to live and work in. Reach out today to learn more about all of the amazing opportunities that come with living in Canmore. For more information, feel free to message us with any questions or concerns you have about living/working in this incredible area. Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future! 

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