Squamish

Squamish isn’t the quiet logging town it used to be. It’s a high-octane hub for outdoor recreation that attracts a young, active, and affluent population. The numbers back this up: the population has exploded by over 22% since 2016, and the median age is a youthful 37.6. This demographic is reflected in the town’s structure, with a working-age population of nearly 70% and a seniors’ cohort of less than 12%. This isn’t a sleepy retirement village; it’s a magnet for people with high incomes and advanced degrees who want a lifestyle defined by mountains and water, supported by a moderate climate that makes year-round adventure possible. The local housing market is dominated by single-detached homes, but with significant development in row houses and low-rise apartments, reflecting the intense demand for entry into the community.

The economic profile here is solid and genuinely diversified. While tourism and recreation get all the attention, the town’s largest employment sectors are actually professional services and construction. Retail trade, health care, and accommodation follow closely behind, creating a durable economic base that isn’t dependent on a single industry or the seasonal visitor. With a median household income of $111,000 and a highly educated workforce—over 70% have post-secondary education—the fundamentals are incredibly strong. There’s no single point of failure. This combination of lifestyle appeal and economic stability creates powerful and consistent resale demand. In any market cycle, Squamish property is going to move.

But for us, the defining factor is its position on the Sea to Sky Corridor. For all its unique character, Squamish’s real estate market doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It is inextricably linked to Greater Vancouver. The pricing, the buyer psychology, and the constant development pressure are all heavily influenced by the Lower Mainland. It has effectively become a satellite community—a desirable escape for those who can afford the premium but want out of core metro congestion. It’s a fantastic place to live and invest, but from a lending perspective, it operates entirely in the shadow of the metro market.

Tekamar’s mandate has always been clear: we lend where the big banks are often hesitant and where market dynamics are independent of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. We built our business lending in places like Vernon, Penticton, and Prince George because they are strong, self-sufficient communities. We understand the specific risk profiles and recovery timelines in those distinct markets. The Vancouver-driven market is a different beast entirely, with a level of volatility and pricing that falls well outside our core risk model.

For this reason, Squamish falls outside our designated lending area. While we recognize it as a thriving and desirable community, its market behaviour doesn’t align with our specific niche. Brokers looking for funding in Squamish will need to work with lenders who specialize in the Greater Vancouver market. Our maximum LTV here is 0.0%.