What started as a pass-through town on the Sea to Sky Highway has now flourished into a recreation hub. People are opting to live where they play, whether that’s cruising mountain bike trails or ascending peaks. Spaces like these have become a rite of passage for locals. Just ask local Squamish Realtor Jay Devery. He’s been here for it all – watching his hometown grow from a dot on the map to a global name.
“You get so much more for your dollar in Squamish than in the city — and you get the lifestyle,” said Jay.
Since the age of three, Jay has kept an eye on the land and community he loves — always paying close attention to the homes, a result of living through several DIY home renovations as a child. Jay knows the neighbourhoods as well as he knows the local trails he’s explored since elementary.
From “Diamond in the Rough” to The Adventure Capital of Canada
As Squamish’s reputation has grown internationally, reaching all corners of the globe, Jay witnessed the town’s slow but radical reformation. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, people often questioned why anyone would live in Squamish, given the pulp mill smell and the lack of commercial amenities. The locals saw the magic, but tourism just turned up its nose. But in the early 2000s, outdoor recreation became more mainstream. Then the 2010 Olympics happened, the Sea to Sky Gondola was built, the work remotely culture flourished and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of Squamish.
“We used to call it the diamond in the rough… that roughness has definitely been polished off now,” Jay said. “We live in a massive, beautiful outdoor playground: ocean, wind, forest, rock, ice, snow, dirt. Add to this, all the amazing new restaurants, cafes, markets and music venues and we have all the ingredients for a good time.”
Recreation is the city’s number one draw, offering a diverse range of landscapes for both extreme and amateur sport. The mountains, as drastic as they are stunning, backdrop the town. Jay’s philosophy on buying and selling a home lies largely in the outdoors: “Better to commute for your job than to commute for your lifestyle, right?”
If you visit Jay’s website, you’ll find character homes nestled into the forest with endless views of the sea and mountains. Perfect for anyone looking to ground their life in nature and within a tight-knit community. “Every neighbourhood in Squamish has something unique to offer. That’s kind of the beauty of it — it’s dynamic,” said Jay.
A Career Built on Service, Resilience, and Community
Don’t just take it on its face – take it from an avid traveller who found himself returning to his roots. Jay studied forestry in his undergrad, then spent 10 years fighting wildfires across Canada, the U.S., and Australia. He carried this knowledge into a 15-year+ firefighting career with the Vancouver Fire Department before becoming a realtor.
Buying or selling a home is often one of life’s most emotional transactions, where financial pressure and personal attachment don’t always align. For Jay, years in the fire service have shaped how he navigates those moments. Trained to stay calm under pressure, anticipate issues before they surface, and communicate clearly in high-stakes situations, he brings a steady, measured approach to real estate. “As a firefighter, you’re exposed to every kind of crisis. It teaches you to slow things down, assess what matters and act with clarity,” he says. That same situational awareness and resilience now guide his clients through complex negotiations and uncertain markets. For Jay, reliability is non-negotiable. “You show up, every time. People are counting on you, and that mindset doesn’t change just because the stakes are different.”
Detail‑Oriented, Design-forward, and Client‑Focused
A jack of all trades, Jay has experience designing and building homes alongside selling them. With a discerning attention for detail, he’s got an eye for spotting the ideal place. “I loved the creative process for myself, but I also [now] have an idea of what’s going on behind the walls. I understand the construction as well as the cost associated with building, fixing, changing, and altering them.” This isn’t to say he sees it all; he still recommends a building inspector for every purchase, but he serves instead as an early warning system for identifying potential red flags that may bog down the process or rack up the bills.
Through numerous big and small price-tag sales, Jay enjoys connecting with buyers even after the for-sale signs come down. “I love meeting people and making connections. In a small town, you see your clients around — that’s something I really value.”
Jay offers one more sliver of industry knowledge for potential buyers. Jay provides Comparative Market Analyses to help homeowners understand true market value vs. provincial tax assessments for individuals looking to sell or buy a home.
A Growing Market With Big Lifestyle Value
It comes as no surprise that Squamish is more affordable than Vancouver, with rental costs rising by the day. What’s less known is its position as a high-value market. That’s why Jay covers the Sea to Sky corridor extending Greater Vancouver to Pemberton, reaching a growing demographic of outdoor-oriented buyers to first-time homeowners.
What Jay’s Clients Are Saying
“My partner and I wouldn’t be living in our dream house without the help of Jay Devery. He is very professional and extremely skilled at negotiations. I would recommend Jay to anyone.”
“Finding someone trustworthy enough to handle the sale of your home is not an easy task. We ended up gravitating to Jay due to his grounded nature and friendly demeanor. Through a slow market, Jay produced a lot of interest in our listing which resulted in a smooth sale. His guidance and advice was SPOT ON, and made what could have been a stressful experience, a smooth and enjoyable one. Can’t recommend Jay enough – truly a “salt of the earth” kinda guy that has his clients interests set as top priority. A true professional!”
Squamish Feels Like Home
Jay will admit he’s traveled to some beautiful places in his lifetime — moving through the Kootenays, Nelson, and Revelstoke. Even in these remarkable spaces, he found himself thinking of home. “In the end, I realized I wanted to be full-time in Squamish. I made an effort to come back and do that.” Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply exploring what’s possible, local Squamish Realtor Jay Devery brings decades of local knowledge, remodeling insight, and community‑centered focus to every client he works with.
Learn more about living in Squamish or request a personalized market analysis here. Connect with Jay to explore homes across the Sea to Sky corridor.
