This post answers the question, what are the adult community options in Agassiz of the District of Kent, British Columbia with a photographic & detailed look at the
Cypress Park, Elmwood Place, Magnolia Estates, Maplewood Place, and Woodridge Place.
I think that pictures tell the story so this piece is full of photographd which include: signage, dwelling type(s), recreation vehicle parking and a street scape. Nothing compares to having a look in person and I would recommend that you take drive out to Agassiz.
I should mention that I have helped both buyers and sellers with their real estate in all these adult living communities and each one has its own unique benefits and detractions. If you are interested in finding out more about what Agassiz has to offer with the assistance of a local agent as a client, let's get in touch - contact me.
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| View of Agassiz and Fraser River from Mount Cheam © |
POPULATION
A bit of background first, the
District of Kent has
an estimated population of about 5,664 people the majority living within the small town
of Agassiz. All the adult communities are situated within Agassiz. There is a wonderful little 18 page pdf download that the District has prepared called "
Welcome to the District of Kent A Guide for Newcomers" that is a good read.
LOCATION and AMENITIES
With respect to the
Agassiz
location, it is situated within the Fraser Valley on the north side of the
Fraser River about 130 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, 20 kilometers
northeast of Chilliwack and 40 kilometers southwest of Hope. This means that day
trips to major shopping and other amenities within the Valley and Vancouver are
readily accessible. Agassiz is a small town with a good selection of core services including a medical clinic, biomedical laboratory, dentist, credit union, library, fitness centre, grocery,
hardware, 2 drug stores etc. available. A host of restaurants, gas stations and other retail outlets round out the core commercial area.
To the north the area is bounded
by the beautiful Harrison Lake and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. A 7
minute car trip to the Village provides Agassiz residents with a world class
vacation spot for dining and dancing and a great place for a stroll alongside the lake. It is a real bonus to have Harrison so close at
hand.
Often overlooked is the Agassiz town site positioning, situated in the
middle of farmland it receives good sunlight (except on cloudy days) throughout
the year, this is in stark contrast to many communities abutting the base of our lovely coastal
mountain slopes. It also has the best view in the Valley of the towering,
majestic Mount Cheam. It never hurts to have something good to look
at.
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| Mount Cheam © Stephen Mullock |
The other positive feature of Valley floor is that it is relatively
level providing easy walking or biking and as the town is fairly compact that
means that you can truly walk uptown to meet a friend for a cup of coffee.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
The average
sales price of a single family detached house in Agassiz during the past 6
months was $313,000 as compared to the Langley average sale price of $593,000
for the same period. A nice way to place $280,000 in the bank with a simple move to this nearby community.
Of course, the vast majority of purchases made of
these adult retirement homes go to local residents as they to like living
here. Over the past 2 years, as of the date of writing, prices for these Adult homes have ranged from $217,500 to $310,000.
ADULT COMMUNITIES
With respect, to specific age restricted developments, there are 5
adult communities to satisfy nearly ever need. However, there are no adult
developments within Agassiz that have a Club house or gated entry. The lack of
these amenities helps keep monthly fees at a very reasonable $65-$75 (grass
cutting included).
Age restrictions vary from 19+ to 45+ to 55+ dependent upon the location. All have rental and pet restrictions of some form.
A community senior centre is located off of Morrow
Road.
View
Larger Map
1. Cypress Park, 7354 Morrow Road, Agassiz
The Cypress Park complex, built 1990 - 1991, consists of 21
freehold bareland strata single family detached houses that range in size from 2
to 3 bedrooms and a square footage of 1330 to 1450 square feet. One of my
favourite communities it does have some RV parking but it is limited and often full. No rentals are allowed, pet restrictions apply and a 55+ age requirement
is in place.
2. Elmwood Place, 7330 Elm Road Agassiz
Elmwood Place, built 2002-2004, is a newer sister development and next door to the Maplewood Place described below in number 4. There are 58 freehold bareland strata single family detached 2 bedroom houses with sizes that range from 1450 to 1540 square feet on the main floor. There is one exception, a dwelling with a size of 1152 square feet. Like Maplewood Place all houses are built above a 5’ crawlspace. A 55+ age restriction is in place.
3. Magnolia Estates 1548 MacKay Crescent, Agassiz
The Magnolia Estates, is a most curious development, some of the best homes in a poorly conceived development - thankfully time cures all.
When Magnolia Estates was envisioned a staged development was planned to accommodate the market uptake found in the market at the time. It would appear that neither the developer or the District of Kent knew much about how a staged development should work - the result instead of a single strata for Magnolia Estates three had to be created.
A sharp division in assets occurred; the RV parking area belonging to the second phase of the development and not as you would expect to the entire Magnolia Estates.
Phase one (1996 - 1997) consists of 6 elegant ranch style homes shown above in the first photograph tucked in behind the Magnolia Estates entry sign. They feature 2 bedrooms on the main and a flex room upstairs with a total living square footage of 1,645 to 1,773. 55+ age restriction.
Phase two (1998 - 2000) has three duplexes and 4 ranchers with a bonus room above. The rancher+ is shown in the second picture above and an example of a duplex in photograph 3. The ranchers+ are similar to those in Phase 1 with 2 rooms on the main and flex room upstairs. The duplex units have one of the nicest plans I have ever seen and vary in size depending on whether an upper floor bonus area is there. 45+ restrictions
Phase three (2006 -2007) contains a number of one bedroom units in 2 triplexes, 1 fourplex and 1 fiveplex. These very affordable options have 860 square feet and an attached single garage. The fiveplex is shown above in picture 4. 45+ age restrictions.
Magnolia Estates, has a number of issues that require the services of a local Realtor©, lawyer or notary public familiar with the development.
4. Maplewood Place, 7292 Elm Road, Agassiz
Maplewood Place, built 1996 - 2002, Agassiz consists of 72
freehold bareland strata single family detached 2 bedroom houses with a size of
1510 to 1540 square feet on the main floor and having a double garage. There is
RV parking. An age requirement of 45+ is in place and there are some restrictions
concerning pets.
4. Woodridge Place, 7291 Morrow Road Agassiz
Woodridge Place, built 2005 - 2006, Agassiz is
the most recent adult retirement development within the community built in 2005
- 2006. It consists of 30 freehold bareland strata single family detached 2
bedroom dwelling built above crawl spaces with some having bonus rooms above the garage.
Their size ranges from 1330 to 2010 square feet. Here the age restriction drops
to 19+ years.
Summary
Agassiz offers good value comfortable adult community
rancher style living in a “walkable” and friendly community. Priced to attract
retiring people or those looking to realize some equity from their existing
property it has some of the best adult community housing options in the Fraser Valley.
All property needs to be
explained if I can help you, as a client, in your search for real estate property in this area
please contact me for my local expertise.
Stephen Mullock RI is an award winning full-time real estate specialist with 30 years of experience and hundreds of sales.
Thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Fraser Cheam communities of Chilliwack, Agassiz or Harrison Hot Springs?
Contact Steve (click here) of Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty for experience, local knowledge and friendly service you’ll be happy you did.
