Nanaimo

Let’s talk about Nanaimo, British Columbia—a city that’s got a lot more going for it than just being a ferry ride away from Vancouver. Nestled on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is a place where coastal charm meets real opportunity, especially if you’re in the mortgage game or looking to secure financing in a unique market. At Tekamar Mortgage Fund, we’re excited to lend here, and we’ve got good reasons why.

First off, Nanaimo’s got a vibe that’s hard to replicate. It’s not a sprawling metropolis, but it’s not a sleepy village either. With a population pushing just under 100,000, it strikes a sweet spot—big enough for amenities, small enough to feel like a community. Think stunning ocean views, trails that’ll make you forget your desk job, and quirks like the world’s largest wave pool right in town. For mortgage brokers, this translates to a market with strong resale potential—vacation and retirement buyers keep demand steady. And for borrowers, that means your property’s value isn’t likely to tank overnight, even if the economy hiccups.

What makes Nanaimo stand out from other BC spots? It’s got diversity in spades, and I don’t just mean the people. The economy here leans on health care, retail, and tourism, with a historic pulp mill still chugging along. This mix means it’s not a one-trick pony—if one sector stumbles, others hold the line. From a lending perspective at Tekamar, we see this as a plus. Stability matters when we’re assessing risk, especially since our maximum loan-to-value (LTV) in Nanaimo is a solid 70%. That’s not a blank check—we adjust based on the deal, whether it’s a second mortgage or bare land—but it shows we’re confident in this market. Brokers, bring us your deals; borrowers, if you’ve got equity but maybe not the credit score for a bank, let’s chat about an exit strategy that works.

Housing here tells an interesting story too. Over half the homes are single-detached, which is great for families or retirees looking for space. But there’s also a decent chunk of apartments and duplexes, hinting at rental potential for investors. As a lender focused on equity over income qualifying, we at Tekamar love seeing this kind of variety—it means options for borrowers who don’t fit the traditional mold. Brokers, if your client’s got a property here that’s a bit “outside the box,” give us a call. We’re not scared off by oddball deals as long as the numbers make sense.

And let’s not forget the lifestyle draw. Nanaimo’s warm climate—seriously, it’s getting warmer every decade—makes it a gardener’s paradise and a magnet for folks wanting milder winters than the mainland. That’s not just trivia; it’s a data point for resale value. People want to move here, and that’s gold for anyone in real estate or mortgages. Whether you’re a borrower eyeing a fixer-upper near the Old City Quarter or a broker hunting for a lender who gets small-town dynamics, Nanaimo’s got potential written all over it.

At Tekamar, our tagline is “We’ll lend where other MICs won’t.” Nanaimo fits that bill perfectly. We’re not chasing Vancouver’s high-rises; we’re here for towns with character and opportunity. So, if you’ve got a deal in Nanaimo, let’s make it happen—together, we can turn coastal charm into cold, hard equity.