Buying A Home In Squamish With Jay Devery

Your Squamish Home Journey Starts Here

Buying a home in Squamish isn’t just a financial decision - it’s a lifestyle one. Whether you’re drawn by the mountain views, the trails at your doorstep, or the close-knit community, Squamish offers a unique balance of adventure and comfort.

As a lifelong Squamish local, I’ve seen this town evolve into one of B.C.’s most exciting real estate markets. My job is to make sure you’re fully prepared, confident, and supported through every step of your home-buying journey - from the first showing to the moment I hand you your keys.

Market Snapshot (November 2025):

Detached homes: Benchmark price $1.63M (+7.0% year-over-year)
Townhomes: $1.032M (–0.6%)
Condos: $607K (+3.4%)
Market condition: Balanced overall, with more of a sellers market for townhomes.

Ready to start your search? Book a consultation or call 604-992-3742.

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Jay Devery

Macdonald Realty

38090 Cleveland Avenue PO Box #2479 Squamish, British Columbia V8B0B6

Mobile: (604) 992-3742

Phone: (604) 992-3742

jaydevery@macrealty.com

Why Work with Jay

I’ve called Squamish home since I was three years old. From my early years helping my parents buy and renovate homes, to my decades of experience in both firefighting and real estate, I’ve learned the importance of trust, integrity, and hard work.

Growing up here means I know every corner — from the river flats of Brackendale to the trails of Garibaldi Highlands. I help clients understand not just the properties they’re buying, but the communities they’re joining.

Through Macdonald Realty, Western Canada’s largest independent real estate company, I’m also connected to top-tier industry resources and a global referral network. Whether you’re moving from Vancouver, Alberta, or abroad, I’ll make your Squamish transition seamless.

Understanding the Squamish Market

Squamish continues to attract buyers looking for space, nature, and value compared to Metro Vancouver. Market conditions fluctuate between balanced and mildly competitive, depending on property type:

Property Type	Benchmark Price	YoY Change	Avg. Days on Market	Market Trend
Detached Homes	$1,633,500	+7.0%	52 days	Balanced
Townhomes	$1,032,300	–0.6%	29 days	Seller’s
Condos	$606,800	+3.4%	74 days	Balanced

What this means for you:

Detached homes are showing steady growth and slightly longer market times - ideal if you want room to negotiate. Townhomes and condos remain competitive, with many listings seeing multiple offers due to limited supply.

The Buying Process: Step by Step

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Before we start shopping, I’ll connect you with trusted local mortgage specialists to confirm your budget. Pre-approval locks in your interest rate for up to 120 days and gives your offer more credibility.

Typical pre-approval benefits:

Protects you from rate increases
Clarifies your monthly payments and affordability
Strengthens your offer in multiple-bid situations

Recommended local lenders:

Paul Hudson, Mortgage Wealth — 604-849-2227
Tara Rayner, The Mortgage Group — 778-601-5333
Kelly Jackson, Mortgage Advisor — 604-849-1840

2. Define What You’re Looking For

We’ll start by narrowing your search to properties that fit your needs — size, budget, location, lifestyle, and potential for future growth. Whether you’re after a walkable downtown condo or a family home in Valleycliffe, I’ll help you understand current value ranges and micro-market differences.

3. View Homes & Write an Offer

Once you’ve found a property you love, I’ll handle the offer process — structuring price, deposit, and conditions strategically.

Most offers include subject clauses to protect you while due diligence is completed:

Subject to financing approval
Subject to home inspection
Subject to title review
Subject to insurance approval

In competitive markets, I’ll advise on how to make your offer stand out without unnecessary risk.

4. Schedule a Home Inspection

Inspections give you a clear picture of the home’s condition — structure, electrical, plumbing, foundation, and roof.

Cost: typically $400–$800.

If issues arise, we can request repairs, a price reduction, or withdraw before subjects are removed.

Recommended inspectors:

Blue Heron Inspections — 604-551-9942
Howe Sound Home Inspection — 604-390-4663

5. Remove Subjects & Finalize Deposit

Once financing and inspection are approved, you’ll remove subjects — at which point the sale becomes firm.

A deposit (usually 5%) is paid into my brokerage’s trust account and credited toward your purchase price.

6. Legal Review & Closing

Your lawyer or notary prepares all final documents and handles title registration. They’ll also provide a Statement of Adjustments showing your exact costs on closing day.

On completion:

Your lender sends funds to your lawyer.
You provide your down payment and closing costs.
Title is transferred and registered in your name.
.

7. Possession Day

This is the fun part. Once the sale registers, I’ll hand over your keys! We’ll do a quick walk-through to confirm everything’s as expected - then it’s time to move in and celebrate your new Squamish home.

Understanding the Costs
Buying a home comes with more than just the purchase price. Here’s a breakdown of common costs and taxes to budget for:

Cost Type	Estimated Range / Detail
Home Inspection	$400–$800
Legal Fees	$1,000–$2,000
Property Transfer Tax	1% on first $200K, 2% up to $2M, 3% over $2M, +2% over $3M
Appraisal (if required)	$300–$500
Insurance	Varies
GST	Applies on new construction
Moving Costs	Typically $1,000–$2,500 (local)

First-Time Buyer PTT Exemption:

If your purchase price is under $825,000 (or under $1.1M for new builds), and you meet residency and citizenship criteria, you may qualify for a full or partial property transfer tax exemption.

Ready To Get Started?

Get in touch today and book your free consultation call.

Contact Jay

Buying Different Property Types in Squamish

Each housing type offers unique pros, price points, and competition levels:

Detached Homes

Avg. price: $1.63M (+7.0% YoY)

Ideal for families or long-term buyers seeking yard space and privacy.

Notable areas: Garibaldi Highlands ($1.78M), Brackendale ($1.41M).

Townhomes

Avg. price: $1.01M (–0.6%)

High competition with limited inventory and fast-moving listings.

Great for growing families or buyers seeking newer builds with less maintenance.

Condos

Avg. price: $607K (+3.4%)

Excellent entry point for first-time buyers or investors.

Downtown and Dentville are top-performing strata areas (+12–13% YoY).

First-Time Buyers: What to Expect

If this is your first purchase, I’ll make sure you understand every step.

Together, we’ll cover:

How much you can afford
What programs and incentives apply to you
How subjects and deposits work
When to expect each payment and document

Programs to explore:

First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
Home Buyers’ Plan (RRSP)
BC Property Transfer Tax Exemption

You’ll never be left wondering what comes next. I’ll keep you informed at every stage.

FAQs

How long does it take to buy a home in Squamish?
On average, 4–6 weeks from accepted offer to possession, depending on financing and subjects.
How competitive is the Squamish market right now?
Detached homes with suites are quite popular with buyers, but overall the detached market is balanced. Townhomes are competitive with strong demand and moderate inventory. Condos are a balanced market currently with increasing inventory.
Do I need a big down payment?
Most buyers need at least 5% down, though 20% avoids CMHC mortgage insurance.
Can I buy if I’m also selling my current home?
Yes - we’ll time your sale and purchase strategically, sometimes using subject-to-sale clauses.
Are there extra costs for buying in B.C.?
Yes - legal fees, inspections, and Property Transfer Tax. I’ll help you budget these accurately from day one.

Closing Timeline

A typical Squamish home purchase follows a 4–6 week path:

Offer Accepted — Subjects begin (financing, inspection).
Week 1–2: Home inspection + lender approval.
Week 2-3: Subject removal, deposit paid.
Week 4–5: Lawyer preparation, insurance setup.
Week 6+/-: Completion + possession day.

Need flexibility? I’ll coordinate with all parties to align timing around your move, sale, or mortgage renewal.

Local Resources & Recommended Partners

Working with the right professionals makes the process seamless. Here are a few trusted locals I recommend:

Notary: Bjurman Notary Corp – 604-938-3728
Contractor: McKeen Homes – 604-213-7566
Plumber: Straightline Plumbing & Gas – 604-935-8771
Electrician: Jay Houlding Ltd. – 604-966-4492

Movers: 99 North Movers – 604-213-4774

Ready to Start Your Search?

Buying a home in Squamish is exciting — and with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or purchasing your first home, I’ll help you find the right property and negotiate the best outcome.

Let’s get started:

Book a consultation • View current listings • Call: 604-992-3742