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Media Coverage
The Calgary Herald, December 22, 2007 Range of choices in Columbia Valley By Gerald Vander Pyl Please scroll down for the article
Range of choices in Columbia Valley When the Wilder family started developing land surrounding some natural hot springs in the ColumbiaValley during the 1950s, they were creating the first four-season resort in the region. Since then, the valley has gone on to become a hugely popular place to own recreation properties, and the little community of Fairmont Hot Springs has remained one of the most soughtafter locations. These days, the real estate market in the Fairmont Hot Springs area is similar to that of Calgary, says Kim Collens, coowner with husband Wayne of Royal LePage Rockies West Realty. Listings are up—with people looking to buy real estate having more options to choose from and less sense of urgency, “whereas last year, everyone was in a panic to purchase,” says Collens. While it’s no longer a seller’smarket, the local real estate numbers are still up over last year, she says. There is a good variety of real estate ranging from classic cottages to retirement bungalows and condos, she says. People looking to build a home can find vacant lots for between $150,000 to $300,000 for a typical 0.1-hectare (quarter- acre) parcel. Single-family homes in the Riverside golf community west of the highway start at about $500,000,while cottage style homes on the mountainside slopes east of the highway begin at $450,000. Some of the real estate in the mountainside area of Fairmont goes back3 0 or more years,while most of the riverside real estate is about 15 to 17 years old, says Collens. Although people driving through Fairmont Hot Springs may notice a large number of condo-style buildings lining the golf courses,many of them are time-share developments,which have been quite popular in the Fairmont area. However, there are condo units available in three main projects,with prices for a unit in the riverside area beginning at $300,000 and those ont he mountainside running about $500,000, she says. With the recent purchase of the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and other amenities by new owners, there is expected to be plenty of further development in the coming years. In the meantime, the community of Fairmont Hot Springs continues to attract people based on its many attractions. Some people liken Fairmont to a microcosm of the valley, itself, because it offers almost all the attractions of the region is one compact area. Many people who buy real estate in Fairmont are quite active and appreciate the fact there are three golf courses, a family ski hill, hiking, horseback riding and cross-country ski trails—all right in the community, says Collens. Compared to Invermere on the Lake, which can become quite crowded during the busy summer tourist months, Fairmont remains much quieter and laid-back. There is not much traffic because many local residents prefer to walk to places, like to the hot springs or the grocery store, because everything is in such close proximity. Homeowners can enjoy the best of bothworlds in Fairmont: Plenty of activities toenjoyif theychoose, but also the serenity ofaquiet hideawayin the mountains, says Collens. That ability to get away from it all is the main reason why many Calgarians come looking for real estate in the valley in the first place, she says. Fairmont is also known as a community that appeals to a wide range of people, from retirees to young families, and new arrivals are welcomed with open arms, says Collens. “Fairmont is a fairly closeknit community and a very friendly community, no matter what age you are,” she says. For additional information regarding the project, click on the logo: 
Reprinted from The Calgary Herald |
