Ever driven through a small town and wondered, “Who even lives here?” Well, Midway, British Columbia, might just surprise you. Nestled in the Boundary Country near the US border, this tiny community of about 650 folks isn’t your typical real estate hotspot—but that’s exactly why it’s on our radar at Tekamar Mortgage Fund. With our tagline, “Your MIC for towns without stop lights,” we’re all about finding value where others don’t look. Let’s unpack what makes Midway unique for borrowers and brokers alike.
First off, Midway’s got a distinct vibe. It’s a quiet, rural escape with a median age pushing 63, meaning a big chunk of residents are retirees drawn to the slower pace. Think wide-open spaces, access to trails, and a short drive to skiing or the wineries of Osoyoos, just 50 km away. For borrowers—say, someone looking to retire or downsize—this could be a hidden gem for an affordable home, mostly single-detached houses. And for brokers, if you’ve got a client who doesn’t quite fit the big-bank mold but has equity to work with, Midway’s in our lending zone with a max LTV of 55%. We’re game to chat about the deal.
What sets Midway apart from other small BC towns? It’s got history and grit. Once a key stop for the Canadian Pacific Railway, it’s literally the “midway” point between the Pacific and the Rockies. Today, it’s home to the Kettle River Museum, a quirky nod to its past that locals love. That heritage, paired with a warming climate—improving growing conditions for hobby farmers—adds a layer of charm for lifestyle buyers. But here’s the practical bit: the housing market is almost entirely single-family homes, with no apartments or row houses. So, if you’re a borrower eyeing a property, you’ve got limited competition for style. Brokers, this means deals here are straightforward but niche—perfect for equity lending or credit repair scenarios we specialize in.
Now, a heads-up from the mortgage insider perspective. Midway’s economic picture isn’t rosy—median household income sits low at $58,000, and unemployment hovers higher than we’d like at 8.6%. That’s why we cap our LTV at 55% here; we’re cautious about recovery timelines in a foreclosure scenario. Small towns like this can take longer to sell in a pinch, and we’re upfront about that risk. For borrowers, this means we’ll look hard at your equity and exit strategy—can you refinance down the road? For brokers, know we’re not just throwing money at any deal; we’re sticking to our low-risk roots since we’ve been at this for over 20 years, protecting our friends-and-family investors.
So why Midway? It’s not Kelowna or Vernon, where we’ll go up to 70% LTV. It’s a place for specific buyers—retirees, rural enthusiasts, or those craving off-the-grid peace. At Tekamar, we’re not chasing Vancouver’s overcooked market. We’re here for the under-the-radar spots. If you’re a borrower with a dream of owning in Midway, or a broker with a client who’s been turned down elsewhere, give us a shout. We’ll lend where other MICs won’t, and we’re ready to make it work—safely, smartly, and with a bit of small-town charm.