PROPERTY PORTFOLIO · BUYER REPRESENTATION
Purchased in Lower Hammond
20320 Ditton Street · Southwest Maple Ridge, BC
Helping returning clients find a home for the longer term, with room for outdoor projects and a careful review of the land, the house and the possibilities ahead.
THE BUYER MANDATE
I had worked with these clients before. This time, they were looking for a property they could live in for the longer term. The buyer was handy and wanted space outside to work on projects, alongside a home that could support everyday life.
This detached rancher in Lower Hammond offered a sizable lot and useful outdoor space. Our task was to establish whether it would remain a practical fit over time. We approached sustainability on several fronts: livability, the condition of the land and house, privacy, and future flexibility.
STARTING WITH LIVABILITY
Proximity to the Fraser River made flooding our first question. The MLS record identified the property as being in a floodplain, so we reviewed area maps and spoke with local residents to understand their experience when the river rises.
We also examined drainage and the slope of the land, looking at how water moved across the site and whether the outdoor areas could serve the buyer’s intended use. These checks informed the purchase decision; they were not a guarantee against future flooding.
PRIVACY AND FUTURE FLEXIBILITY
We considered privacy in relation to the existing neighbours and anticipated nearby construction. A property’s setting can change, so the review extended beyond what was visible on the day of the showing.
We also explored development potential. Our review of mapping, zoning and records indicated that the property had frontage to support consideration of a duplex. That provided a possible future option, subject to the applicable requirements and approvals.
UNDERSTANDING THE RELOCATED HOUSE
This house had been moved onto the lot from another site in the 1990s. That history made the foundation and the connections between the house and its supporting structure particularly important.
We looked closely at the bones of the house and reviewed permits and available records to better understand the relocation. The aim was to assess the home as it stood on this land and identify the questions that mattered to a longer-term owner.
THE RESULT
After thorough checks involving mapping, zoning, permits, the condition of the property and conversations with neighbours, we found the home fit for the clients’ purpose. They purchased a property with space to live, work on projects and consider future possibilities.
The value of this mandate was in connecting the buyers’ longer-term plans with a careful understanding of the property they were acquiring.
FLOOR PLAN
BUYING WITH THE LONGER TERM IN MIND
A useful purchase decision begins with how you want to live and a clear understanding of the property’s opportunities and constraints.