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About the Real Estate Market in
Creston Valley and the East Shore Kootenay Lake
Conveniently browse through all current local listings, regional listings and featured listings by clicking on this photo link and then select the LISTING tab at www.CrestonRealtor.com
Things to consider before a purchase:
For people moving to our area from outside the province, do your logistical homework before purchasing. Everyone’s circumstance is unique. However, most people require insurance on their vehicles and property purchased. Obtain necessary documents in advance to avoid unnecessary additional costs and frustration.
In all rural communities there are conditions to consider when choosing where you want to buy. Here are a few:
Ground water There are some homes built in areas with higher water table levels and this can affect their septic systems. There are also those springs that come early with rain before the ground has been able to absorb the melting of snow making basements susceptible to taking on the water. It is important that houses have their downspouts set up ready to go and that the grade of land runs away from the house. In some rare cases the house requires a new perimeter drainage system around the foundation of the house. If a property is in an area with natural springs the owner may have successfully diverted spring run off by ditching around the lot or by putting in a drainage rock system like we did on our property keeping our basement dry during those times the ground is saturated with water and the springs are running fast. Traffic For some, living along the highway provides exposure for their home-based business signage. For others having easy access to the highway makes getting to town simple especially during the winter months when country roads are not plowed as often as the highway. Others may find living along the highway to be a hazard for children and pets. Although traffic along our highways is generally pretty light (except the traffic can be heavier downtown or when there is a stream of ferry traffic). Also the noise coming from a highway may be disturbing to some, especially when traffic picks up during the summer months. The orientation of the house and outdoor living space will affect the noise volume level of a highway. Sunlight Some people are sensitive to not having enough exposure to sunlight. The orientation of a house with its landscaping and its design may provide more natural light into the house. Also, the location of the house in the valley or lake will also determine how much daylight it is able to capture inside. Generally speaking, in my experience the nieghtbourhood of Lister seems to have the most natural light which also means it loses it's snow sooner in the wintertime. The area I have noticed with the least amount of sun is within the area of Arrowcreek. Although there are some properties in this area that can have more direct sunlight exposure than a nieghbour down the road. So each property needs to be considered on its own. It is also worthwhile considering that those properties with the most sun exposure may also have the most exposure to weather elements such as wind. Sometimes a property has all the features you want but there isn’t enough sunlight to satisfy you. This might be a blessing on a hot summer day. There are many people who have SAD “sun lamps” that provide relief from a lack of sunlight until summer arrives. Pests If you are an avid gardener you will want to consider wildlife being a part of it. Birds and butterflies are attracted to plantings and can contribute to the pollination of your fruit, as well as being a delightful part of your enjoyment. Deer too are plentiful so they will pass through and maybe nibble on some of your plantings. There is special deer fencing that is less harmful to deer and elk than those tall wire fences. I was told by a conservation officer a while back that we lose a deer a day to fencing. Another type of pest is mosquitos. Some areas of this valley are more prone to mosquitos. Find out when those peak season are and make allowances for them in your plans. I enjoy Duck Lake for fishing in the fall, winter and spring but not during the summer as their are more mosquitos than I am willing to live with. Those who choose to live in areas with the most mosquitos, such as Duck Lake area, Kuskanook and parts of Boswell and West Creston, plan around the peak seasons. They go out in their yards during the dry sunny times, they have screened in porches, netting and go to other places during those time. It really isn't that long of a season. The attributes of living in these locations make up for those times when mosquitos are plentiful. Fire Protection There are neighborhoods within the valley and along the lake that do have fire protection and others that do not. The town of Creston does have a fire department and hydrants. There are also fire departments within Wynndel, Canyon/Lister, Riondel and Yahk Kingsgate. Some areas have fire hydrants and others rely on pumper trucks. Your insurance premium is initially determined by the availability of a responding firehall and whether there are any recognized hydrants within 1000 ft. of the home. Then additional factors such as the home and outbuildings' features, the applicants' claims history,etc. are added into the mix. To be sure if the property you are considering buying has fire protection visit the RDCK website and phone the individual fire department. Note there are some areas in Erickson which currently have issues with fire hydrants meeting standards, so insurance premiums in those areas may be somewhat higher. Community Water System Many homes within the Creston Valley and Kootenay Lake are on some type of community water system and others are on wells. Some systems are owned and operated by the local community as Irrigation Districts and others through the RDCK. For instance Lister is operated by the RDCK. So is Erickson, Riondel, and Sanca. Wynndel's water system is owned and operated by the Wynndel Irrigation District for the residents within Wynndel hamlet. Become familiar with what type of water system your potential home has, what you can expect and what the implications are for that system. In some areas the water is considered hard with high concentrations of minerals including iron, and other areas like Creston have very soft water. There are some community water systems that cannot handle drought conditions. The water I have sampled throughout the valley I consider delicious. Sewage Systems Septic Systems are the most common sewage systems found in rural areas. The Town of Creston does have a sewage system within the town limits. There are some houses in the town site that once were on septics systems and those tanks should have been filled in. Homes outside of town are on septic systems. When making an offer consider including a “subject to” clause that includes having the septic tank pumped and inspected. This will help you avoid the added cost of replacing your septic system if the old one is failing. Agriculture near by Farms help create a pastoral setting which is wonderful to look at. However, they might not smell all that good for some people. Consider the implications of being near a working farm. Zoning Zoning is likely on your checklist of things to consider. While viewing homes you may notice the prospective property or even the neighbour's property being used for something that doesn't seem to conform to the zoning in the area. If so check to see if it is grandfathered for a nonconforming use. Not all neighbourhoods have the same bylaws. For instance some areas don't have a noise bylaws but then not having one isn't an issue for the residents and allows for a cherry orchard to run a propellor during the threat of frost or down pour. Some areas on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake have no zoning regulations. Check with the Town of Creston or RDCK for more information on this topic. 
Phone or text:
1-250-428-6439 |
Making dreams a reality.
Featured Realtor - Lee Johnson
"We found our dream home in Gray Creek...Our experience with Lee Johnson of Creston Valley Realty went above and beyond what we expected, we have dealt with many Realtors in the past as we have purchased quite a few properties in Calgary and in the US...Lee has a great sense of humour, as well it was a pleasure doing business with Lee." - Ron and Gail Fry (Calgary Alberta) For more testimonials. Helping to make your dream a realty. For those of us who are fortunate to live in what we refer to as “Shangri La”, there is a desire to share this experience. Surprisingly, it is also a very affordable choice. Of course, the best way to personally know what the locals know is to become one. Most people who are ready and able to make the move to our area are: retirees, families who bring their own work/business with them, telecommuters who work from home, or they could also be people who are mobile workers and the Creston Valley can be their home base. Many new residents jump right into the lifestyle and purchase property to fulfill their desires, including (to name a few): buying a hobby farm for livestock and horses, an economical house in town, a rural home with space and privacy, or a lot to build a dream home. There are so many options, like a rental property with their own residence attached, or a home on pristine Kootenay Lake, a recreational property for an RV, or maybe even start or acquire a business. A Realtor like Lee (a lifelong resident of the area who intimately knows the valley), has a fresh enthusiastic attitude and strong negotiating skills, can make it happen for you. In addition to those people who have chosen one of these many ways to experience this wholesome "Mayberry" type of lifestyle, there are those who are more comfortable taking their time while they browse. Starting off as a renter enables them to get clear on what they really want. A real estate agent who is actively involved in the community like Lee is well-positioned to know when a rental property is coming available. After living for a while within the beautiful Creston Valley, a resident may want to try out something different. This would require them putting their current property up for sale. Doing so with a qualified and licenced Realtor like Lee, will ensure their best interests are being looked out for during the transference of property. Lee will take the time to understand what they want to accomplish through a move. He will also help to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Rarely, there are also those who have to leave behind this life and move to a completely new location. This too requires a skilled professional like Lee who is empathetic and pragmatic, and also knows an expedient and satisfying sale can make the transition happen with the greatest of ease. All in all, beginning the next chapter of your life requires the help of a skilled Realtor who cares to understand where you are at, and is well equipped to support you in achieving your dream. Average Real Estate Prices
Average prices based on Oct 1 2022 sales
In Town Creston Homes Average of 3 bedrooms 2 baths $300,000 to $720,000 Average of 2 bedroom 1 bath $225,000 to $385,000 Rural Creston Valley Homes Erickson, Canyon, Lister, West Creston, Lakeview/Arrow Creek, Yahk, Wynndel Average of 3 bedroom 2 baths + 1 acre $500,000 to $750,000 Average of 3 bedroom 2 baths + 5 or more acres $500,000 to $1,200,000 Cheap rural 2 bedroom 1 bath $400,000 to $620,000 East Shore Kootenay Lake Homes Kuskanook, Twin Bays, Sanca, Boswell, Mountain Shores, Gray Creek, Crawford Bay, Kootenay Bay, Riondel Average 3 bedrooms 2 baths, no waterfront Average between $350,000 and $500,000 Waterfront homes have sold from $800,000 and up In Town Creston Lots
Average sold for $55,000 to $150,000 Rural Creston Valley Lots Erickson, Canyon, Lister, West Creston, Lakeview/Arrow Creek, Yahk, Wynndel Average sold from $100,000 and up East Shore Kootenay Lake Lots Kuskanook, Twin Bays, Sanca, Boswell, Mountain Shores, Gray Creek, Crawford Bay, Kootenay Bay, Riondel Average sold with no waterfront from $68,000 Average sold with waterfront from $385,000 and up 
Central Kootenay
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