If there's one thing I've noticed recently in the Squamish real estate market, it's this:

Not all price ranges are behaving the same.

In fact, some of the strongest competition we're seeing isn't necessarily for the cheapest homes. Instead, it's for detached houses with legal or usable rental suites.

At first glance, that seems a little odd.

A buyer might be comparing a nearly new townhouse for around $900,000 to $1.2 million with a detached home priced around $1.5 million. That's a significant jump in price, often between $300,000 and $600,000.

Yet time and again, it's the detached home with the suite that's attracting the greatest interest.

So why?

I don't think the answer is as simple as "buyers want rental income."

The Numbers Don't Always Add Up

Many buyers tell themselves that the rental suite will help pay the mortgage.

That's certainly true.

But when you actually run the numbers, the additional rent often doesn't fully offset the larger mortgage required to purchase the more expensive home.

For example:

• A buyer spends an extra $400,000 to purchase a detached home instead of a townhouse.

• The suite generates monthly rental income.

• However, depending on mortgage rates, taxes, insurance, and maintenance, that rental income may not fully cover the additional cost of owning the more expensive property.

If your only goal was reducing monthly housing costs, the townhouse can often be the more economical choice.

Which raises an interesting question:

Why are so many buyers still choosing the detached home?

I Think Buyers Are Looking Beyond Today's Mortgage Payment

After talking with buyers over the past several months, I think the appeal of a suite goes well beyond simple math.

Many buyers aren't purchasing the home they need today.

They're buying the home they'll still want in ten or twenty years.

A detached home with a suite offers flexibility that a townhouse simply can't.

For example:

• A young couple might live in the suite while renting out the main house to reduce costs early on.

• Later, they can move upstairs as their family grows.

• Years down the road, aging parents may move into the suite, allowing multiple generations to live on one property while maintaining privacy.

• Adult children could use the space before eventually moving out.

• The suite provides a source of income if financial circumstances change.

In other words, buyers may be purchasing options rather than simply purchasing square footage.

That flexibility has real value, even if it's difficult to calculate on a spreadsheet.

Squamish's Growth Could Be Part of the Story

There's another factor that may be influencing buyer behaviour.

Squamish continues to evolve, with planning policies increasingly encouraging higher-density housing in appropriate areas. Over time, land that supports additional housing options may become more valuable than land that is limited to a single use. While no one can predict future property values with certainty, many buyers appear to believe that detached properties with additional flexibility will hold their appeal as the community grows.

That doesn't guarantee higher appreciation.

But it may explain why detached homes continue to attract such strong demand despite their higher purchase price.

Buyers May Be Thinking Longer Term Than We Realize

It's easy to assume buyers are making emotional decisions.

In reality, they may simply be taking a much longer view.

They're asking questions like:

• What happens if mortgage rates change?

• What if my parents need a place to live?

• What if my kids stay at home longer than expected?

• What if I lose my job and need additional income?

• What if I eventually want to create wealth through real estate?

A suite provides answers to many of those questions.

That flexibility has become increasingly valuable in today's uncertain economic environment.

What This Means for Sellers

If you own a detached home with a suite, particularly in the approximately $1.4 million to $1.6 million price range, you're currently competing in one of the strongest segments of the Squamish market.

That doesn't mean pricing no longer matters.

It absolutely does.

However, buyers appear willing to pay a premium for properties that offer flexibility, future income potential, and room for changing family needs.

The key is making sure your marketing highlights those benefits, not just the number of bedrooms or the rental income.

What This Means for Buyers

If you're shopping for a home, it's worth asking yourself one important question:

Are you buying for the next three years, or the next twenty?

Sometimes the best financial decision isn't the property with the lowest monthly payment.

Sometimes it's the property that gives your family the greatest number of options as life changes.

That doesn't mean every home with a suite is worth paying more for. The numbers still matter, and every property should be evaluated on its own merits.

But the current market suggests many buyers are placing a premium on flexibility, and that may be one of the defining trends in Squamish real estate right now.

My Take

One of the things I enjoy most about real estate is that buyers continually challenge assumptions.

On paper, a townhouse often appears to offer better monthly value than a detached home with a suite.

Yet the market keeps telling a different story.

Maybe buyers are valuing flexibility more than immediate cash flow. Maybe they're planning for multi-generational living. Maybe they're thinking about the long-term scarcity of detached land in Squamish.

Or maybe it's a combination of all three.

Whatever the reason, it's one of the clearest trends I'm seeing on the ground today, and it's a reminder that real estate decisions are rarely based on spreadsheets alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do homes with suites sell faster in Squamish?

In the current market, many detached homes with suites are attracting significantly more interest than similarly priced townhouses or duplexes. The exact outcome depends on pricing, location, condition, and the quality of the suite.

Is a rental suite always worth paying more for?

Not necessarily. Buyers should compare the additional mortgage costs with the rental income, maintenance expenses, taxes, and their long-term goals.

Why are buyers willing to pay more for detached homes?

Many buyers value flexibility. A suite can provide rental income, accommodate family members, or adapt to changing life circumstances over many years.