With warm weather slowly approaching, many are dreaming about a trip to the beach or camping at a lakeside retreat.
But what would it be like to own your own waterfront home?
In the Tri-Cities, the opportunity is relatively rare — although Beedie is planning a large condo development in Coquitlam on the Fraser River.
When it's complete, Fraser Mills will be home to around 10,000 residents, according to a recent council meeting report in the Tri-City News.
But for those who don't want to wait years for a river front condo, what's available that you can buy right now?
For those with unlimited budgets, a recent listing in Port Moody shows a home currently for sale for $8.3 million, where you can swim or paddleboard from your very own 62-foot shoreline.
Waterfront property with a pool
The 6,800 sq-ft., six-bedroom, seven-bathroom home is located at 656 Alderside Rd., according to the real estate listing, and offers stunning views of Port Moody Inlet on three levels.
Photos show a dock, a pool and hot tub, high ceilings and an expansive open plan.
The custom home on a 9,157 sq-ft. lot is also only five years old.
It sounds fabulous, but at $8.3 million, it may not be for those worried about the recent half-a-point interest rate hike approved by the Bank of Canada.
But a discerning buyer might wonder, what other waterfront property is available?
Turns out, the Alderside property is not the most expensive in the Lower Mainland — and if you've only got $400,000, it's certainly not the cheapest.
The Tri-City News has put together a list of waterfront properties, from the most expensive, to the least expensive in the Lower Mainland.
1) $17.8M: Vancouver waterfront property at the top of the budget
In Vancouver, one of most expensive waterfront listings right now is a $17.8-million property in Kitsilano at 2711 Point Grey Rd., according to the listing.
This property has a home to live in, but is also ready for development, and has permits, an architect and a builder ready to construct someone's dream home on the 7,229 sq-ft. lot
Currently, the plans feature a four-vehicle garage with an elevator and turntable, a roof-top deck with a hot tub, a 28-foot pool and views from all three floors.
2) $9.98M: Build your own custom home on West Van beach front
Across Burrard Inlet in West Vancouver, another waterfront property is available for $9.98 million, for the land only.
Located at 2814 Bellevue Ave., it's a pretty stunning piece of beach front, where you can comb for mussels and driftwood while you wait for your architect to draw up some plans.
"The 12,917 sf property offers an ultra-low level beachfront access with 60.89 feet of ocean frontage. The sandy beach area was recently enhanced and engineered by raising the entire frontage over six feet with wave-management barriers being placed both subsurface and beyond the high-water line," the listing states.
But that's not all.
For those looking outside of Vancouver, here are a couple of unique properties further afield.
3) $4.78M: Terrace, panoramic views in South Surrey
In Surrey, for a more modest $4.78 million, you can purchase a lovely two-bedroom, nearly 3,000 sq-ft home at 2351 Christopherson Rd. in Crescent Beach.
It features mid-century modern styling, with a large terrace, and panoramic views, according to the listing.
4) $4.78M: Waterfront home near nature preserve in Richmond
In Richmond, a 12-year-old home, with four-bedrooms located at 8631 Seafair Dr. is also available for $4.78 million.
The listing says the custom built waterfront residence, located near the Sturgeon Banks Natural Area, was designed to showcase the stunning 180-degree ocean and mountain views
5) $3.3M: Garage for your yacht in Ladner
For a more modest $3.3 million, Ladner has a unique waterfront property listing.
At less than half the price of the Port Moody home, with this property, you get a waterfront house and a floating home.
The property contains a one-year-old waterfront home and a six-year-old floating home on the banks of the Fraser River.
It's also ideal for a yachting enthusiast.
"Cruise right up to this 759 sq-ft. attached floating garage, use garage door opener to open garage door and park your (up to a 36') yacht inside," the write-up states.
The two houses total 4,331 sq. ft of living space plus 592 sq. ft. in two automobile garages, a 759 sq-ft. yacht garage with extra square footage in an upstairs loft.
Each house has separate addresses and hydro meters, the listing says.
6) $395K: Affordable waterfront option in New Westminster
But what if you don't have $3 million to $18 million to spend — what are your options?
This "property" may be more affordable.
It's a waterfront lot in New Westminster for under $400,000.
However, you will still need to build or purchase a floating home, which comes with its own challenges and costs.
The listing is for $395,000 and features a 2,250 sq-ft. water lot at 15-7000 South Dyke Rd., in Queensborough, on which to place your floating home.
The lot comes with hook ups and is in the quiet part of the Fraser River, according to the listing.
