🏡 Investment Property vs. Vacation Home: What's Best in Fernie?

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Thinking about buying in Fernie but unsure what type of property is right for you? In this episode of The Property Mindset Podcast, we break down the pros and cons of investing in a rental property vs. securing your dream vacation home. With Fernie’s real estate values climbing and demand for short-term rentals increasing, now is the time to explore your options.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The financial benefits of investment properties vs. vacation homes
• Market trends driving Fernie’s real estate growth
• Best areas for rental income and ski-in, ski-out vacation homes
• Key considerations for seasonal rental demand and ownership costs
• Real-world insights from helping buyers navigate Fernie’s housing market

🏡 Whether you’re looking for cash flow, long-term appreciation, or a personal mountain escape, Fernie offers incredible opportunities for real estate investment. But which one is the right fit for you?

👉 Schedule a consultation with Phil today

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real estate insights and Fernie lifestyle tips!

Show Sponsor: First Tracks Real Estate Group - eXp Luxury

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Episode Transcript

Phil (00:00):
Thinking about buying here in Fernie but unsure what to get

(00:03):
into.
Invest in a rental propertysecure your dream vacation home.
With property values rising anddemand for short term rentals
increasing, Today we're going tobreak down Fernie's best real
estate options.
Whether you're looking forsteady income or the perfect
mountain retreat.
Welcome to the property mindsetpodcast, where we explore

(00:23):
everything real estate frommarket trends to practical
strategies for success.
Whether you're a buyer or selleror an inspiring investor, a
seasoned professional, or simplysomeone who loves real estate.
This podcast is for you.
But before we jump in, if you're on the channel and you
haven't subscribed yet, pleasehit that subscribe button

(00:45):
because it really does help thechannel grow and bring you even
more valuable, Fernie realestate market insights.
Now let's get into it.

(01:39):
Okay, so B.
C., Fernie, B.
C.
is more than just a ski town.
We're a thriving real estatemarket.
offering great opportunities forboth investors and vacation home
buyers.
but which option is right foryou?
Should you buy an incomegenerating rental property?
Or is it time to claim your ownmountain escape?

(01:59):
In this episode, we'll comparethe financial benefits,
lifestyle perks, and potentialchallenges of both investment
properties and vacation homeshere in Fernie, BC.
So as of 2025, Fernie's realestate market continues to show
strong growth.
Home prices are projected tosurpass, on average, single

(02:24):
family homes on average 800,000, with home sales across BC
expecting to rise by 13 percentthis year.
This surge is driven by lowermortgage rates and increased
demand for recreationalproperties.
With more buyers looking foreither rental income or a
getaway, competition is heatingup.

(02:45):
But there are opportunities.
So, investment property versusvacation home.
What's right for you?
let's break down the keyfeatures of both options to help
you decide.
Investment properties.
Purpose.
their purpose is to generaterental income or long term
capital appreciation.

(03:06):
Market trends.
growing demand for rentalproperties due to lifestyle
driven buyers and tourism.
Ideal properties, in Fernie,we've got condos, townhomes,
single family homes, and primerental locations such as
Pinnacle Ridge, Canyon Trail, onthe Ski Hill, Timberline.

(03:29):
Lizard Creek, lots of differentoptions for buyers out there for
investment properties.
some key considerations,seasonal rental demand and
potential income fluctuations.
property management costs andresponsibilities.
attracting both, either shortterm vacationers, only certain

(03:49):
areas allow, and you have todouble check the short term
bylaws in this town, so withthose considerations for
investment properties, how dothey stack up against vacation
homes?
So the purpose, the primarilypurpose for a vacation home is
for personal use with optionalrental income.

(04:11):
What are the market trends?
there's high demand forrecreational properties here in
Fernie.
as you probably know, we haveone of the best ski hills in
North America.
so especially the ski in ski outhomes are a very high demand.
So you're looking at ski hillproperties, the single family
homes, the chalets, the logcabins, the condos, Timberline

(04:35):
again, Lizard Creek, right up inthe main village.
all have great ski in, ski outoptions.
So what do you need to considerwhen buying a vacation home?
how often do you plan to use thehome versus renting it out?
What are additional costs goingto look like for maintenance,
utilities and property taxes?
And what is the rental incomeduring the peak and summer

(04:57):
seasons?
And also, what's the rentalincome look like in the lower
seasons?
with Fernie's average homeprices creeping towards 800,
000, it's essential to establisha clear budget before making a
decision.
here's a quick breakdown ofcurrent property options.

(05:17):
condos are starting around 500,000 for smaller units, going all
the way up to 900, even over amillion for premier ski and ski
out properties.
Single family home prices varysignificantly.
but you're not going to get muchfor a million bucks in Fernie.
and some homes, one just sold onresort drive, exceeding 3

(05:42):
million, depending on thelocation and the features.
So I've helped buyers on bothsides.
Some buyers are just looking forpure cash flow on the ski hill
where they can rent out or downin places like Pinnacle Ridge
where short term rentals, isallowed as in Silver Rock, as

(06:07):
opposed to other people who wantto buy their property,
predominantly to use.
And the extra income, it's notgoing to pay for the property,
but it's going to help with thecosts.
Both approaches work, butsuccess depends on your
priorities.
So, should you buy an investmentproperty or a vacation home here

(06:28):
in Fernie?
If your goal is to maximiserental income and build long
term wealth, an investmentproperty could be your best bet.
But if personal enjoyment is toppriority, With some rental
income on the side to pay forsome of those bills, then a
vacation home might be a betterfit for you.
Either way, Fernie offers someincredible opportunities.

(06:51):
It's just a matter of choosingthe right one for you.
thanks for tuning in to thisweek's Property Mindset podcast.
If you're thinking about buyingin Fernie or selling, whether
it's an investment property or avacation home, we'd love to help
explore your options.
So don't forget to subscribe,leave a comment below and share
this episode with someone youmay know who's considering a

(07:13):
move into Fernie or needs tosell their vacation home.
So until next time, I'm PhilGad.
Stay focused, stay informed andkeep building the property
mindset.