Stewart sits at the end of Highway 37A, where Canada meets Alaska and civilization meets wilderness. This town of 517 hardy souls experiences something most British Columbians never will — genuine frontier living with a stunning backdrop of glaciers, fjords, and peaks that make the Rockies look modest.
The numbers tell an interesting story. Stewart’s population jumped 28.9% since 2016, but don’t mistake this for suburban sprawl. We’re talking about people choosing isolation over convenience, trading coffee shops for salmon runs and mining opportunities. The median household income of $84,000 reflects the premium wages that remote work commands, though the 14% unemployment rate reminds us that boom-and-bust cycles still rule here.
Stewart shares its main street with Hyder, Alaska — literally. You can walk from Canada to the United States without crossing a border checkpoint, making it one of the most unusual international communities in North America. The town serves as a gateway to the massive Salmon Glacier, where tourists drive gravel roads to witness ice flows that dwarf most Canadian cities.
Mining built Stewart, and mining still drives much of its economy. The area’s mineral wealth attracted fortune seekers for over a century, creating a culture that understands risk, reward, and the value of timing. Construction and transportation round out the top industries, supporting the infrastructure needed to extract resources from some of BC’s most challenging terrain.
Single-detached homes make up 92.2% of the housing stock, which makes sense when your nearest neighbor might live kilometers away. Property here isn’t about curb appeal or school districts — it’s about access to wilderness that most people only see in documentaries.
For mortgage brokers working with clients who value adventure over amenities, Stewart represents a unique opportunity. Our 35% maximum LTV reflects the specialized nature of this market, where buyers need genuine commitment to remote living and sellers require patience to find the right match.
Mortgage Product Name | Max LTV | Key Notes for Stewart |
---|---|---|
Bridge Financing/Fully Open Term | 35.0% | Standard product terms |
Equity Lending | 35.0% | Standard product terms |
Purchases | 35.0% | Standard product terms |
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Bridge Financing/Fully Open Term in Stewart:
35.0 %
“Subjects came off their current home last week but their new place closes Friday…”
Here’s a funny thing about bridge financing: everyone thinks it’s complicated. It’s not. Someone needs to close on their new house before their old house sells. Or their sale fell through after they removed subjects on their dream home. Or they found the perfect downsizer condo but haven’t listed the family hom...
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Equity Lending in Stewart:
35.0 %
“They have tons of equity but don’t qualify under B20…”
Here’s the thing about equity lending: it exists because banks literally can’t do it. B20 guidelines require income verification. Full stop. No wiggle room. No common sense exceptions.
We’re provincially regulated. The funds we lend on come from individual investors, not the Bank of Canada. So when your client has 50% equity but their in...
Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) for Purchases in Stewart:
35.0 %
Moving is supposed to be exciting. New town, new job, new chapter. So why do banks act like you’re asking for their firstborn when you need a mortgage?
“You haven’t been at your new job for thre months”
“Your self-employment income doesn’t count in a new market.”
“We need to see established a year if you are part time contract - even if you’re working 40 hours under your new role”
Meanwhile...