Looking for a Home in Summerland, BC, Canada
by R. Borhi
Summerland (population 11,000) is located on the west side of Okanagan Lake in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The town is between Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south. The largest centre in the region is Kelowna, approximately 50km to the north (on Highway 97). Vancouver is approximately 425km to the west.
Many people come to Summerland and the surrounding area for a vacation, wine tour, or to visit family and friends who have moved here. The Okanagan Valley has one of the warmest and driest climates in Canada, which makes it an attractive destination for anyone, but especially retirees who come to escape the colder parts of Canada.
Summerland's mean annual temperature is approximately 10°C with a summer mean of 21°C and a winter mean of only -3.5°C.
Perhaps you've decided to move here, or are just looking for a second home or vacation property to visit a few times a year. Summerland home prices have shown increases in recent years. This article will give you some factors to consider if buying a home in Summerland.
Do I want a home in Summerland or outside Summerland?
The first decision to make is do you want to live in Summerland, or outside the city? This is an important consideration, because it will determine how much time you spend driving and how close you are to Summerland. If you decide to live outside Summerland, to the North or South, your driving time to Summerland will be anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes each way. If you plan to make several trips per day (e.g.: for work, kids activities, sports, shopping) this driving time can add up. If you work from home or don't need to be in the city every day, this might not be such a factor in your decision.
There are many communities to choose from if you want to commute to Summerland daily (see below). Everywhere in the Okanagan Valley has been booming in the last few years, and it's expected to continue for the forseeable future. However, some communities are still less expensive than others.
Where to buy a home in Summerland?
There are many different locations and home styles to choose from in Summerland. Because Summerland is an 'older' town for BC, you can still find small homes over 50 years old.
Newer homes have spread out in small subdivisions outside the city center, up onto the hills and fields around the city edge. These homes are located in quieter settings, and some have nice views of the town, lake, or valley. These homes are also larger, and new construction is always going on. Condos have been going up in areas where old buildings have been torn down, which present another option for home ownership.
Buying a home outside Summerland
People commute to Summerland from the north (Kelowna, Peachland) and the south (Ok Falls, Penticton). Because the winters are so mild, road conditions are usually good year round, though there is the odd snowfall or period of freezing weather. You can also buy a home on the lakefront or with a lake view in other areas. Living to the north puts you closer to Peachland and Kelowna. Living further south puts you closer to Penticton, OK Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, and the US border.
As was mentioned earlier, most towns in the Okanagan Valley are growing and expanding, so you are always somewhat close to any services or shopping you might need.
Get a home inspection
Since many homes in Summerland are older it's a smart idea to get a home inspection. Sometimes when competition heats up for a home, buyers waive the home inspection to get the deal done. If you can't afford a nasty surprise in the way of home repairs, then make sure to get an inspection.
Future Home Sales in Summerland
Summerland home sales will likely stay buoyant for the next decade, despite the 2008/2009 economic downturn, because many people want to retire in this area. Summerland is located in the center of a retirement paradise, close to a major hospital, airport, concert and hockey stadium, casino, lakes, wineries, fruit orchards, golf courses, and major shopping and restaurant destinations. It is hard to find such a nice climate combined with so many attractions anywhere else in Canada.
