Skip to content

Cute Coquitlam rancher just sold for $3.2M for development potential

Coquitlam is a city in transition when it comes to housing stock. But every now and then you'll find a classic 1960s era home or a heritage house.

A classic 1960s era rancher with a sunny deck and an attached carport stands out in a Burke Mountain neighbourhood.

Located at 3140 Highland Dr., it's the only home of its type on this stretch of Highland Drive, which features several newer homes for families in the growing area.

Reportedly sold for $3.2 million on May 8, the 2,470 sq. ft. home sits on a 23,435 sq. ft. lot — enough space for four lots, according to the real estate posting on Zealty.ca.

"Open this story book and see a classic old-timer, looking for new owners to begin the process; rebuild, remodel, redevelop or hold as a great rental property," the listing states.

Photos of inside the home show elements of a traditional ranch style home, including older panelling, while the large basement is unfinished and the yard is large.

According to the listing, the four-bedroom home was built in 1964, an era of optimism and development in Coquitlam's early days.

Do you like the old-style ranchers?

Known for their easy upkeep and simple building style, some early Coquitlam homeowners, such as this reporter's parents, built their own ranch-style home, also called a rambler.

A traditional ranch-style house is a single-storey house, frequently built with an open-concept layout, large windows, a low-pitched roof, and often has a patio space or deck.

Though the house is one storey, it will likely have an attached open garage and even a basement.

The sale of this Burke Mountain home was in March, just as real estate was starting to recover from a slow winter.

According to the most recent Lower Mainland real estate numbers, the real estate market has benefited from a pause in interest rate hikes.

"The fact we are seeing prices rising and sales rebounding this spring tells us home buyers are returning with confidence after a challenging year for our market, with mortgage rates roughly doubling," stated spokesperson Andrew Lis in a Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver news release published recently in the Tri-City News.

"The latest MLS HPI data show home prices have increased about five per cent year-to-date, which already outpaces our forecast of one to two per cent by year-end. The year is far from over, however, and it remains to be seen if these price increases will be sustained into 2024," Lis added.

What's your favourite style of home?

Coquitlam is a fascinating city for housing styles, which include older farmhouses with large verandas built at the turn of the century in Maillardville, charming bungalows in Central Coquittlam, estate homes on Westwood Plateau and smart-looking stacked townhomes and multi--storey condominiums in Town Centre, Burquitlam and Burke Mountain.