Port Coquitlam

Let’s talk about Port Coquitlam, a gem tucked just outside the hustle of Vancouver. It’s a place where the Fraser River meets small-town charm, and honestly, it’s got a vibe that’s hard to replicate elsewhere in BC. If you’re a mortgage broker sniffing out unique markets for your clients, or a borrower curious about what makes this spot tick for real estate, stick with me. We’ve got some ground to cover on why Port Coquitlam stands out—and a heads-up on where Tekamar Mortgage Fund fits (or doesn’t) in this picture.

First off, Port Coquitlam, or “PoCo” as locals call it, offers a rare blend of accessibility and breathing room. You’re close enough to Vancouver for a day trip, but far enough to escape the big-city sticker shock on properties. Housing here leans toward single-detached homes—about a third of the market—with a solid mix of row houses and low-rise apartments. For brokers, this means a diverse pool of properties to work with, whether your client’s eyeing a family home or a starter condo. And for borrowers, that variety could be your ticket to finding something that fits your budget and lifestyle, especially if equity is your leverage.

What really sets PoCo apart, though, is its lifestyle appeal. Think green spaces like the Traboulay PoCo Trail, a 25-kilometer loop that’s perfect for a weekend stroll or bike ride. Add to that spots like the historic Leigh Square for community events, and you’ve got a place that feels like home, not just a postal code. For real estate, this translates to desirability—families and retirees alike are drawn here for the parks, trails, and that quieter pace. That’s a selling point if you’re a broker pitching to investors, or a borrower looking to build long-term value in a community that’s growing steadily.

Economically, Port Coquitlam holds its own with a diverse job base—health care, construction, and retail lead the pack. This isn’t a one-industry town, which means less risk of a sudden downturn tanking property values. As a lender, I can tell you we always look at this kind of stability when assessing risk. For borrowers, it’s a sign your investment here isn’t riding on shaky ground. Brokers, take note: clients with steady gigs in these sectors might be easier to position for alternative financing, even if their credit’s taken a hit.

Now, let’s get real about lending in PoCo with Tekamar Mortgage Fund. Our tagline, “We’ll lend where other MICs won’t,” holds true for many smaller BC towns, but here’s the straight talk: our maximum loan-to-value (LTV) in Port Coquitlam is 0%. That’s right, we don’t lend here. It’s not a knock on PoCo—it’s a fantastic spot—but other lenders know this market better than we do. We stick to our niche of smaller or less-served communities outside the Greater Vancouver Area and Fraser Valley. So, brokers, if you’ve got a deal in PoCo, we’re not your fit, but we’d love to chat about files in places like Vernon or smaller towns without stoplights. Borrowers, same deal—if you’re elsewhere in BC and need equity lending or non-income qualifying options, give us a shout.

Port Coquitlam’s got a lot going for it, from its housing mix to its community feel. It’s just not in our lending zone at Tekamar. But hey, knowing where to look (and where not to) is half the battle in this game. Let’s keep the conversation going for the right fit—whether you’re a broker with a unique deal or a borrower hunting for solutions.