‘It’s wild’: Demand for homes in recreational markets outpacing supply, brokers say

When Jamie Robinson thinks about the number of properties available in and around Alberta’s mountain mecca Banff, one word comes to mind: “horrendous.”

“Basically, anything that’s for sale at this moment is selling fairly quickly, and so supply is definitely an issue,” said the real estate agent.

Cities close to the mountains, beach or lake have long had hot real estate markets.

But Robinson and other real estate agents say the ability to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and a wave of people taking up outdoor hobbies have supercharged demand for recreational homes — and supply isn’t keeping up.

“It’s going to get busier, it’s going to get bigger, it’s going to get more expensive,” Robinson said.