Bednesti
Homes for Sale

Getting there

Bednesti is about 50 km west of Prince George on Highway 16, so town is within an hour. The highway is the easy part. The roads and driveways off it vary, and they decide whether a place works in January.

What comes up for sale

Properties run from cabin-style recreational retreats to full-time homes on large lots. In summer the lake gets used for fishing, boating and swimming. Kids who live here year-round are bused to Vanderhoof-area schools.

Waterfront comes up less often here than at Ness Lake, so when a good one lists, it helps to already be watching. Some lake properties also sell with little exposure, and Jason often hears about them before they reach MLS®.

Water, septic and power

There's no city water or sewer out here. Expect a private well (or a system drawing from the lake) and a septic system. Have the well tested for flow and water quality, and have a septic professional inspect the system and tell you its age and when it was last pumped. If the house draws from the lake, ask whether there's a water licence and what treatment is in place. On older cabins, confirm that power and internet actually reach the property.

Winter access

If you plan to live here year-round, find out who plows the road and how often before you buy. Some buyers learn in January that their road isn't graded between snowfalls. A summer cabin can live with that. A full-time home can't.

Financing

Lenders treat recreational and seasonal property differently from a house in town, and on larger parcels many lend on only part of the land value. That can change your down payment, so talk to a lender about the specific property before you write an offer.

What to check before you buy

• Septic and well inspections, written into your offer as conditions.
• The shoreline. In BC the land below the high-water mark generally belongs to the Crown, so ask whether the dock and any shoreline work were permitted.
• Spring high water. Ask about flooding history and look for water marks in the crawlspace or basement.
• Zoning and the Agricultural Land Reserve, if you plan to build, add a cabin or subdivide. Confirm with the regional district first.
• Insurance. Waterfront costs more to insure, and you'll want liability coverage if people use the water near your property. Get a quote before your subjects come off.