Chetwynd

Chetwynd sits at the crossroads of opportunity and caution in British Columbia’s northeast energy corridor. This town of 2,300 people has built its identity around being the “Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World” — a quirky distinction that speaks to both the community’s resourcefulness and its connection to the forestry industry that helped shape the region.

The numbers tell a story that mortgage professionals need to understand. With manufacturing driving 20% of local employment and oil and gas extraction another 11%, Chetwynd’s economy rides the waves of resource sector volatility. That $104,000 median household income reflects the boom potential, but the 7.1% unemployment rate hints at the bust reality that can hit resource-dependent communities.

Housing here leans heavily toward single-family homes at 57.8% of the market, though the 13.6% movable dwellings category reveals the transient nature of some residents following work opportunities. The population actually declined 8% since 2016, suggesting people leave when the work dries up.

Plant Hardiness Zone 3b means serious winters that last longer than most British Columbians would tolerate. This isn’t cottage country or a retirement haven — it’s a working town where people come for paychecks, not lifestyle. The harsh climate and remote location limit the pool of potential buyers should foreclosure become necessary.

Tekamar approaches Chetwynd with appropriate caution, offering a maximum 45% LTV to ensure we can recover funds even in a challenging resale scenario. For brokers with clients who have substantial equity in Chetwynd properties, we provide the bridge financing and debt consolidation solutions that traditional lenders often won’t touch in smaller resource communities.

The town’s chainsaw carving sculptures scattered throughout downtown create an unexpectedly artistic atmosphere, but charm doesn’t pay mortgages when the mills slow down.