Encouraging news for home sales in Grand Forks

Grand Forks has a unique real estate market

1 of 3Aaron and Cindy Anthony of Grand Forks Realty Ltd in Grand Forks, BC. — Photo courtesy of Aaron Anthony

2 of 3A semi-detached townhouse (rancher) in Clifton Estates, a 55 + community in Grand Forks, BC. — Photo courtesy of Aaron Anthony

3 of 3An executive home on 10 acres along the Kettle River in Grand Forks, BC. — Photo courtesy of Aaron Anthony

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The real estate market in the Grand Forks area is expected to shift in favour of those looking to sell in 2014. This prediction follows a strong end to 2013, for one real estate company which saw a boost in sales. Grand Forks Realty Ltd. offers listings of all property types from Rock Creek to Christina Lake and husband and wife Realtor team, Aaron and Cindy Anthony are confident this turnaround will continue.
“It’s been a bit of a buyers’ market for a while,” said Aaron, who specializes in residential listings. “But we finished last year with better numbers and I expect this to continue over the next few years, and in turn it will become a sellers’ market.”

Specializing in recreational properties, Cindy echoes Aaron’s opinion.

“The prices hit rock bottom,” she said. “But they have stabilized and can only go up now.”

Grand Forks has a unique real estate market in several ways. For example, there are very few new builds compared to renovations. As well, the majority of people who move to the area are five to 10 years away from retirement and looking to buy a home that offers privacy and immediate recreation.

“People come here to play and have a semi-retired attitude,” Aaron said. “They will buy a character home that is 30 to 50 years old and do the renos themselves. The trend we see here is that property changes through renovations, not new homes.”

Nestled in a valley between the Okanagan Valley and the Kootenays, at the junction of the Granby and Kettle rivers, Grand Forks provides endless outdoor and leisure opportunities throughout the year.
“Christina Lake is a real drawing card for people in southern B.C. and Alberta,” Cindy said. “We are now seeing the folks who were heading south to buy lake property coming here. It’s our primary recreational property area of offering mostly cabins and homes as opposed to lots. There is limited subdivision on waterfront lots but there is easy access to the lake and boat access properties. It’s not an overly busy place, with about 1,500 people year round, but that number can double in the summer.”

Kettle River Drive, Granby Road (which both offer riverfront properties), North Fork Valley, Copper Ridge Estates and the gated community ,Clifton Estates, are all popular places in the Grand Forks area to consider buying.

“I would have no problem investing in this community,” Aaron said. “I always recommend that people don’t wait to buy but wait to sell.”