Site C dam could create lucrative real estate market, says B.C. realtor

A Lower Mainland realtor is heading to British Columbia's northeast region in June, to assess the potentially lucrative real estate opportunities that could arise if the $8.8-billion Site C dam is approved.

"[I'm] mostly finding out what projects are planned, where they are and aspects of getting these projects on track," said Aman Brah, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Elite Realty.

"Finding out exactly what the cities are about and if they are ready for this or if they are going to need more housing."

• Site C dam: How we got here and what you need to know
• Read complete coverage of the Site C dam project

Brah has spent the past six months researching the region and says towns like Fort St. John could be an ideal investment if Site C, a proposed hydroelectric project to be built by BC Hydro along the Peace River, is built.

The mega project would see more than 5,500 hectares of land along the Peace River flooded to create a reservoir 83 kilometres long.

Fort St. John population 'to double'

"In Fort St. John's case right now, they have no more room in the city so they've applied to have the city boundaries expanded, basically because that area is expected to double in population over the next six years so they need places for people to live."

Brah says that even though the proposed Site C dam is being challenged in the courts, many of his clients are still very interested.

"There's always an element of risk with an investment. It may take a little bit longer, but that gives investors a little bit more chance to get in there, before they actually make a decision," said Brah.

"The amount of money the government and private companies are choosing to invest up there, there's definitely something going to happen." 

While nothing is guaranteed, Brah is confident that early speculation will pay off and is planning to invest his own money.

"Initially I was looking for clients and investors, but once you start hearing these numbers and all of the facts around the area, you want to be part of it yourself."

To hear the full interview with Aman Brah, listen to the audio labelled Northeast B.C. real estate investment.