Chilliwack

Here’s the reality about Chilliwack: it’s part of the Fraser Valley region where property values have climbed so high that even our 0% maximum LTV tells the whole story. This isn’t a reflection on the community—it’s simple math when you’re protecting investor capital in a market that’s priced beyond our safety margins.

The irony? Chilliwack itself has plenty going for it. Nearly 94,000 people call it home, drawn by that rare Zone 8b climate that lets you grow everything from Japanese maples to tender perennials that would freeze elsewhere in BC. The Vedder River runs right through town, offering some of the province’s best salmon and steelhead fishing, while Cultus Lake provides the kind of summer playground that keeps property demand consistently strong.

What makes Chilliwack different from smaller BC communities is its proximity to everything without being everything. You’re close enough to Vancouver for work but far enough away to afford a house with a yard—at least, that used to be the case. Construction leads the employment mix at 12.1%, followed closely by healthcare and retail, each at 12%. That construction boom isn’t accidental; people keep moving here.

The agricultural land reserve still protects vast farming operations, creating that small-town feel despite the growing population. Harrison Hot Springs sits just up the road, and the Chilliwack River Valley opens into serious mountain country where people disappear for weekends and sometimes don’t come back.

For mortgage brokers working this market, you’ll need lenders comfortable with Fraser Valley valuations. While we can’t help in Chilliwack, we’re actively lending throughout the rest of BC where the numbers make sense for both borrowers and investors.