Gold River sits at the end of Highway 28 on Vancouver Island, where the mountains meet the water and adventure begins. Built in 1965 as Canada’s first instant town — a complete community constructed from scratch in just two years — this place has always done things differently.
The town serves as the gateway to some of British Columbia’s most spectacular wilderness. Strathcona Provincial Park sprawls right next door, home to the Golden Hinde (Vancouver Island’s highest peak) and the mysterious Upana Caves. These aren’t just tourist attractions gathering dust in a brochure — they’re the reason people pack up their lives and move here.
What makes Gold River unique isn’t just the scenery. The Uchuck III, a converted minesweeper from 1943, still delivers mail and supplies to remote coastal communities along Nootka Sound. It’s one of the last working passenger-freight vessels on the West Coast, and watching it chug out of Muchalat Inlet feels like stepping back in time.
The community attracts a specific type of person: outdoor enthusiasts who want world-class kayaking, fishing, and hiking literally outside their front door. The median age of 56 tells you something important — people aren’t just visiting, they’re staying. Many arrive for retirement or semi-retirement, drawn by affordable housing and access to wilderness that would cost millions elsewhere.
Forestry remains the economic backbone, with 25% of residents working in natural resources. The proximity to Campbell River (90 minutes away) provides additional employment options and services while maintaining that small-town isolation many residents specifically seek.
At Tekamar, we understand Gold River’s unique market dynamics. Properties here appeal to a niche buyer — someone who values outdoor recreation over urban amenities. Our 50% maximum LTV reflects both the specialized nature of the market and the time required to find the right buyer who appreciates what Gold River offers.
For mortgage brokers with clients seeking alternatives to private lending in smaller Vancouver Island communities, Gold River represents opportunity. The combination of affordable real estate, natural beauty, and established infrastructure creates genuine value for borrowers who understand the lifestyle trade-offs.
the Nearest Tim Hortons
the Nearest Costco
Nearest Hospital
Our Mortgage Products Available in Gold River
| Mortgage Product Name | Max LTV | Key Notes for Gold River |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Income | 50.0% | Standard product terms |
| Bare Land and Unique Properties | 50.0% | Standard product terms |
| Bridge Financing/Fully Open Term | 50.0% | Standard product terms |
| Equity Lending | 50.0% | Standard product terms |
| Purchases | 50.0% | Standard product terms |
Detailed Mortgage Product Information
Variable Income
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Variable Income in Gold River:
50.0 %
“Their income is all over the map, but there’s definitely income…”
Here’s a funny thing about lending based on Line 15000 of your Notice of Assessment: It’s a neat little box to underwrite against. Works great if you’re a salaried employee. Not so great if you’re running a fishing charter in Campbell River where thres fishing season, and the rest of the year.
We get it. Income isn’t always ti...
Bare Land and Unique Properties
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Bare Land and Unique Properties in Gold River:
50.0 %
“The appraisal came back as ‘property type: other’…”
Here’s a truth about real estate that nobody wants to admit: not everything fits in a box. Banks have boxes. Nice, tidy boxes labeled “single family home” and “condo” and “townhouse.” Their computer systems literally don’t have a dropdown menu option for “converted church with commercial kitchen” or “geodesic dome on 40 acres.”
We’ve funded...
Bridge Financing/Fully Open Term
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Bridge Financing/Fully Open Term in Gold River:
50.0 %
“Subjects came off their current home last week but their new place closes Friday…”
Here’s a funny thing about bridge financing: everyone thinks it’s complicated. It’s not. Someone needs to close on their new house before their old house sells. Or their sale fell through after they removed subjects on their dream home. Or they found the perfect downsizer condo but haven’t listed the family hom...
Equity Lending
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Equity Lending in Gold River:
50.0 %
“They have tons of equity but don’t qualify under B20…”
Here’s the thing about equity lending: it exists because banks literally can’t do it. B20 guidelines require income verification. Full stop. No wiggle room. No common sense exceptions.
We’re provincially regulated. The funds we lend on come from individual investors, not the Bank of Canada. So when your client has 50% equity but their in...
Purchases
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Purchases in Gold River:
50.0 %
Moving is supposed to be exciting. New town, new job, new chapter. So why do banks act like you’re asking for their firstborn when you need a mortgage?
“You haven’t been at your new job for thre months”
“Your self-employment income doesn’t count in a new market.”
“We need to see established a year if you are part time contract - even if you’re working 40 hours under your new role”
Meanwhile...