West Vancouver

West Vancouver sits perched above the North Shore like a perfectly curated real estate portfolio — expensive, exclusive, and completely out of reach for most people’s lending appetite. With a median household income of $104,000 and single-detached homes making up over half the housing stock, this isn’t exactly the scrappy underdog market that most alternative lenders chase.

The numbers tell a story that’s both impressive and intimidating. Nearly 62% of residents hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, while 28.5% are seniors who’ve likely paid off their mortgages decades ago. The professional services sector employs 17.6% of the workforce, creating a stable economic foundation that traditional lenders love and alternative lenders rarely get to touch.

Here’s the thing about West Vancouver that makes it fascinating from a lending perspective: it’s essentially a retirement community for the successful. The median age of 50.8 years means you’re dealing with people who’ve already climbed their financial mountains. They’re not typically the folks scrambling for bridge loans or debt consolidation — they’re the ones providing the capital for those products.

The Lions Gate Bridge connects this community to downtown Vancouver in about 20 minutes, making it a bedroom community for high earners who want mountain views with their morning coffee. Capilano River Regional Park and the Seawall offer recreational amenities that keep property values stable, while the proximity to Whistler adds another layer of lifestyle appeal.

Tekamar’s maximum LTV of 0.0% reflects the reality that West Vancouver operates in a different lending universe. The equity requirements and market dynamics here align better with traditional banking relationships than alternative lending solutions. Sometimes the smartest lending decision is knowing which markets to avoid, and West Vancouver represents exactly that kind of disciplined approach to risk management.

For mortgage brokers, this community serves as a useful reminder that not every postal code needs alternative lending options — some markets are functioning perfectly well without us.