Real Estate for Sale in Chilliwack

Chilliwack is the 7th largest agglomeration in British Columbia, which means it’s the municipality with one of the highest population density and infrastructure in the region. It’s home to more than 84,000 residents, as well as the seat of the Fraser Valley Regional District.

The indigenous inhabitants are believed to be the Stó:lō people, commonly referred to as the Indian river people. Their presence traces back as far as 10,000 years ago and it’s believed they inhabited this territory until initial contact with Europeans.

The area experienced its greatest boom when more than 40,000 gold miners arrived in search of riches in the numerous goldfields of Chilliwack. This influx prompted many farmhouses to emerge beside the river by the 1860s, and the settlement became a township by 1873. After the commercial hub migrated southward, a new zone called Centreville was established. This was subsequently renamed to Chilliwack and in 1908 became the City of Chilliwack. These two entities coexisted separately until 1980, when they merged into the District of Chilliwack, and later in 1999 became the City of Chilliwack recognized today.

Chilliwack has a comparatively mild climate, with rare instances of extremes, both in summer and in winter. Occasional snowfalls may occur, yet they’re concentrated on the surrounding mountains and typically persist for roughly 2 weeks. Although nestled among mountains, Chilliwack’s air quality ranks amongst the best in Canada. In fact, Canada places in the top 3 nations according to air quality, which means Chilliwack has one of the finest air qualities in the world!

Although celebrated for its corn, Chilliwack’s primary economic sector is actually retail and services, trailed by manufacturing and construction when examining the GDP.

Chilliwack’s housing market presents homes for every taste and budget. Affordable residential detached houses can be found in the area of Chilliwack W Young-Well, with property prices starting from $100,000 and climbing up to $400,000. Other accessible areas include Chilliwack N Yale-Well, Chilliwack E Young-Yale, and Sardis, featuring homes for sale with a price range of $400,000 to $700,000. Premium estates and contemporary buildings can be found in the areas of Fairfield Island and the Eastern Hillside, where property values begin at $800,000 and can reach up to $2,000,000.

As of the latest reporting period, Chilliwack’s median sale price sits at $629,900. This figure is calculated by identifying the mid-point price of all property sold within a specified period of time. To illustrate, if 23 condos changed hands last month and only 27 detached homes sold in the same time frame, then the median price would capture the mid-point between the 23 condos and the 27 detached homes sold during that interval. At present, Chilliwack has 405 houses for sale, 214 townhomes for sale and 162 condos for sale.

Owing to changes in mortgage regulations taking effect from January 2018, the demand for Chilliwack’s houses for sale began declining. The revised mortgage rules imposed meant that “Not only do Canadians need to qualify for the mortgage amount they are currently seeking, but they need to be able to withstand any future rate hikes up to a level prescribed by the Bank of Canada,” according to Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board.

Although the demand for properties in Chilliwack’s housing market shows a decline, listing prices on Chilliwack’s MLS recorded a modest rise. With that context, the average house price sold in 2018 in the CADREB territory was $516,843, a climb of 11.2% compared to the prior year.

Lower residential property taxes and an appealing quality of life is what attracts people to Chilliwack. Chilliwack is a community composed of several villages and communities, the majority of them suburban with residential properties. While most zones present homes at lower average prices than other parts of British Columbia, the premium sections of town can go over with house values exceeding one million dollars.

For environmentally conscious families, Yarrow is home to Yarrow Ecovillage, a community dedicated to a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable lifestyle.

Greendale is an agricultural suburban area situated in the western parts of Chilliwack and home to the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. Greendale and Rosedale are both communities ideal for those who wish to establish roots and launch an agricultural venture or maintain a personal organic garden behind your residence.

While Greendale and Rosedale are more pastoral and agricultural, Downtown Chilliwack, or Chilliwack Proper along with Fairfield Island and Sardis are popular commercial hubs with many restaurants, bars, and cafes where residents savour various activities with friends and family.

Sporting pursuits are no exception in Chilliwack neighbourhoods. The favoured destination for active families is Promontory hill, a developing suburban area with many hiking and walking trails catering to residents with an energetic lifestyle.

Numerous buyers elect to purchase in a neighbouring municipality and commute to their workplace. These purchasers seek larger homes and lots while maintaining reliable commuter access to Chilliwack’s downtown core. Good options include Kent, Abbotsford and Maple Falls. Target neighbourhoods positioned near the highway or commuter train stations. Even municipalities requiring a somewhat extended commute, such as Sumas, Glacier and Kendall are good options as they present more affordably priced detached homes.

Prior to becoming a resident of Chilliwack consider examining the municipality, which can be accomplished using Census Canada data. By familiarizing yourself with the city’s demographics, encompassing the median age of the population, average income, among other metrics, you can gain a clearer sense of what to anticipate from Chilliwack. All of this can help you establish whether Chilliwack is the right fit for you and your family.

To get around Chilliwack, you can rely on the municipality’s public transport network or a private vehicle. For dedicated cyclists, Chilliwack features more than 112 miles of bike trails you can use to navigate the city, though rural zones still necessitate a car owing to the distance from the urban centre and the limited transit infrastructure.

Chilliwack is home to the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, a 300-acre pristine sanctuary featuring bird viewing blinds, walking trails and observation towers. Hundreds of visitors flock to this destination in the period from March through July to observe the herons’ nests and other wildlife such as ducks, frogs, and other birds.

Another popular place to have fun for residents is Cultus Lake Waterpark, the largest waterpark in British Columbia. Activities cater to the entire family – from lazy rivers to pools, hot tubs, even extreme waterslides for the adventurous. The venue draws crowds in the summer period; a terrific way to mingle with the locals and acquaint yourself with the community.

Outdoor enthusiasts rank among the biggest fans of Chilliwack. There are many hiking trails boasting breathtaking vistas on the local peaks Mount Cheam, Elk Mountain, and the celebrated 32 Vedder River Rotary Trail. Numerous routes lead to different rivers and waterfalls, where hikers can refresh after the lengthy trek and other wildlife around you.

One of the events every Chilliwack resident will urge you not to miss is the Tulips of the Valley festival. It takes place in April annually, the period when hundreds of acres of tulip flowers burst into bloom across the fields of Chilliwack. The tulip flowers are arranged in rows, with each line showcasing a single colour, creating an endless picturesque panorama that appears straight from a film.

Dining and craft beer aren’t in short supply across Chilliwack. There are many breweries scattered throughout the city. One of the more acclaimed is the Old Yale brewery, the producer of Canada’s finest beer for 2014. Should your taste buds crave excitement, you’ll appreciate Dickens Sweets and British Museum, J. Beethoven’s Pizza, and the local favourite – The Yellow Deli.