Summer Activities in the Sea to Sky seem boundless. The minute the sun shines everybody strips down, gears up and gets out in nature. The ladies of Meg McLean Real Estate are no exception and they all have a favourite adventure to share…

MEG
Paddle boarding has become such a big part of the “lake hangs” lifestyle and it is such a great way to get across the lake to meet up with friends, head out with the kids or even your pooch (unless the wind picks up, in which case getting back can be quite a challenge!)

Last year Meg paddled the River of Golden Dreams on a paddle board for the first time and it’s now top of her “Let’s do it Again List”.

Thankfully, getting your hands on outdoor equipment seems to be a little easier this year so check with your local suppliers (Escape Route have Red Paddle boards available) or there are tons of online options available.

KIKI
Kiki likes to get out on her motorbike the minute weather permits so this summer it has been a late start but you can’t keep a good woman down and she has definitely been making up for lost time. A couple of quick trips over to the island are always fun on a motorbike, as long as you arrive ½ hour before sailing time you are guaranteed a spot up front with no waiting. Her favourite quick trip from Whistler though would be the awesome stretch of road up to Lillooet. Riding out through Pemberton and Mt Currie, as you whizz by the Joffre Lakes Trailhead, catch a brief glimpse of the ice blue glacier and feel the temperature drop before cresting over the hill to witness the change in landscape along the duffy. Rolling down past Seton Damn and into the warmth of the desert like Lillooet almost feels like another world. The inevitable pit stop at the Abundance Artisan Bakery for a tasty treat and a quick rest, or for a real spoil, a languishing lunch at Fort Berens Winery and then back on the bike for the “riverside ride” home. Best day ever!

LIZ
Liz would live on her boat if she could. It is no surprise then that her favourite Sea to Sky adventure is on the water. Taking the boat from horseshoe bay with a few friends (Sewells Marina do daily rentals if you don’t have your own!) and heading across to Gibson’s for some oysters at “Smitty’s” is always a crowd pleaser. You can anchor up at a number of small islands with remote beaches along the way and you really get to see our scenic coast from a new perspective. Looking across at the Lions from out in the bay or stretching across towards Mt Washington on a clear day. Thankfully Liz’s partner Ryan has recently added starlink satellite to their on board amenities so the dream of simultaneously working and sailing is not so far out of reach.

KRISTI
Meet me in lasqueti, squeti, meet me at the shore! Kristi is a dedicated family girl who is acing the classic juggling act of career, family and friends. It is rare that she gets any time to just be in nature or enjoy a couple of days away however, this summer she cleared her schedule and made a quick escape to Lasqueti Island with some girlfriends. That’s right, no laptop, no lovers, no children. Instead it was ocean, lots of laughs and maybe a little bit of wine. Its a drive- ferry-drive-ferry adventure so you definitely want to have a few days when you get there, but wow is it a magical spot.

KRISTEN
Kristen, our Marketing Manager currently lives in Calgary, Alberta – so less Sea to Sky adventures for her lately, and a few more Prairie ones! If you make it out that way in the Summertime, she highly recommends the live music at the Calgary Stampede, a float down the Bow River, a day trip to Drumheller to check out the dinosaur museum, and she will happily recommend some amazing local eateries (just send her a DM on Instagram lol!)

BC ASSESSMENTS were released earlier this month and they have the town buzzing! With many properties seeing a substantial increase in value over the past year, we are fielding a lot of questions about the increase in taxes and what this means for your equity. We have reached out to many of you via text and just in case we haven’t managed to connect with you we’ve put together this list of 5 options for utilizing the extra equity in your home :

1. Start a business. Do you have an idea or a dream for a business that you could use funds for?
2. Buy another property. Have you been thinking about an investment property or a slice of real estate in another area?
3.  Home renovation. How long have you been waiting to spruce up a bathroom or kitchen?
4. Stocks. Looking to begin or diversify your portfolio?
5. Toys! In the Sea to Sky there can be so many useful and fun toys to own. What have you been fantasizing about? 

If you have questions about the equity in your home – how to calculate it or who to speak to, if you think you’ve been over assessed or if you have any questions at all, let us know.

We’re happy to check the real market value vs assessed value for you. And if you have been over assessed, you can appeal it to reduce your taxes.

Click this link to see your assessment.

www.bcassessment.ca

We hope you’ve been tuning into our  Instagram  and  Facebook  stories this month – we’ve been featuring some of our favorite Sea to Sky businesses! Wonderful places to shop for Christmas gifts, order your takeout, buy gift cards or just support with your follows, likes & reviews!

This is just a small taste of what we’ve been sharing, check out our Local Love ’21 & Local Love ’20 highlight reels on Instagram for the full listing – we will be adding businesses right up until December 23rd!

While the snow line slowly makes it’s way down the mountains to the Valley excitement  is building for the upcoming winter season.  Whistler Blackcomb will be opening on 25th of November so dust off the gear and get ready for some FUN!  As a team we are excited for our annual team ski day and hope to catch up with clients on the lifts throughout the season. We are always happy to talk Real Estate while sitting in a lift on the way to play!

As the days get colder it is a good time to be checking in on the winterizing of your home:

Top 10 Tips to Winterize Your Home

1) Check your heating system and install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one.
2) Seal up any drafts and insulate around windows and doors.
3) Protect your air conditioner from the cold temperatures.
4) Check your roof before it is loaded with snow.
5) Get your chimney, fireplace and flue serviced.
6) Protect water pipes from freezing both inside and outside your home, be mindful of pipes exposed in basements or crawl spaces.
7) Make your home energy efficient, BC Hydro offers Rebates for energy efficient practices, check them out  HERE.
8) If you have ceiling fans have them move in a clockwise direction to move hot air downwards.
9) Clean your gutters.
10) Most importantly don’t forget to stock up on cozy blankets and enjoy cuddles with your loved ones with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate while you watch the snow fall at the window!