Mackenzie

Mackenzie sits at the edge of wilderness where most mortgage lenders fear to tread. This northern BC community of 3,281 residents has built something remarkable around Williston Lake — a place where forestry workers earn solid wages ($88,000 median household income) and outdoor enthusiasts find their playground just minutes from downtown.

The numbers tell an interesting story. While the population dropped 11.7% since 2016, the people who stay are committed. Two-thirds live in single-detached homes, and another 13.5% choose movable dwellings — a flexibility that speaks to the community’s practical nature. Manufacturing and forestry drive nearly 35% of employment, creating a economic foundation that’s weathered decades of boom-bust cycles.

Powder King Ski Resort brings winter visitors from across the province, while summer reveals endless hiking trails and some of BC’s best fishing. The climate’s warming too — Mackenzie jumped a full plant hardiness zone in recent decades, making those mountain gardens a bit more forgiving.

Here’s what mortgage brokers need to know: Tekamar lends in Mackenzie with a maximum LTV of 50%. That conservative approach reflects the reality of a resource-dependent community where property liquidity requires patience. We’re comfortable with that math because we understand what other lenders miss — Mackenzie’s appeal to lifestyle buyers who value space, recreation, and a genuine small-town atmosphere.

The 12.3% unemployment rate might scare urban lenders, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. This community has survived mill closures, commodity cycles, and geographic isolation for decades. The people who choose Mackenzie aren’t looking for the easy path — they’re building something that lasts.

For brokers with clients seeking equity-based financing, debt consolidation, or bridge loans in northern BC, Mackenzie represents exactly the kind of opportunity Tekamar was built to serve.