Come Get to Know Maple Ridge Real Estate Like I Do
Sitting at the foothills of the Golden Ears Mountain Range just across the Fraser River, Maple Ridge is a scenic paradise just coming into its own. Between our natural beauty, our active community centres, our vibrant arts scene, and all the local bakeries, restaurants, cafes, lounges and markets you could ever dream of, Maple Ridge is a place that you always want to come back to. Come give me the opportunity to show you why I call Maple Ridge my hometown and why I think you’ll love living here as much as I do.
One of the Top Real Estate Agents in Maple Ridge
I am Debbie Sheppard and I have been selling Maple Ridge real estate for 38 years. I live and work in Maple Ridge and am proud to be a part of this community, providing both sellers and buyers with my experience, knowledge and passion for great customer service.
My career in the real estate industry began in 1980, with a special focus on the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows area – a place that I love and know very well, for I have been a proud resident of Maple Ridge since 1972.
I am a member of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) where I consistently rank among the TOP 10% of realtors, having earned the Diamond Master Medallion Club status. I also have constantly been in the 100% Club of Re/Max of Western Canada, continually upgrading my skills and working knowledge through clinics, courses and speakers.
I have served as director of the REBGV for two years, and as director of the Maple Ridge local division for six years. My many years as a top producing real estate agent earned me Life Member status in the Medallion Club, currently holding my 30-year Medallion.
On the personal side, traveling is my passion, and over the years I have had the privilege of visiting many continents, enjoyed the challenge of trekking in Nepal, white water rafting in Africa, parachuting in Matsqui, scuba diving in Israel and learning to fly an airplane in Pitt Meadows. I adopted my son as a single parent when he was a new born and I’ve had the privilege of experiencing the greatest and most rewarding challenge of my life… being a parent and watching him grow into the fine young man that he is today!
Charity Work
Perhaps I am addicted to hard work 🙂 because in addition to doing everything possible for my clients I am also involved in a number of activities that benefit the Maple Ridge community.
My Community Work has included:
- Ambassador to Alisa’s Wish, a charity that aims to protect and support child abuse victims
- Organized a cupcake sale at the Re/Max LifeStyles office benefiting the SPCA on National Cupcake Day. We raised over $1,500 for “The Paws” — and that was a whole lot of cupcakes!
My Favourite Maple Ridge Activities
I could talk all day about my favourite things to do in Maple Ridge, but most of them come down to blissful moments spent outdoors at places like these:
Soaking in Nearby Nature
I have spent hours walking the miles of dikes along the Alouette River with my dog, soaking in the mountain air and sounds of nature while getting a much-needed dose of zen. I also love living right next to the Fraser River with its ever-changing show of wildlife activity, seasonal changes, and amazing sunsets.
Driving through the forest on my way up to Golden Ears Park and Alouette Lake is another thing that I enjoy. This glacier-fed lake is surrounded by hiking trails and idyllic picnicking spots, all practically right at my doorstep. In addition to Alouette, I make sure to check in at the area’s multitude of other lakes, including Whonnock, Pitt Lake, Stave, Haywood, and Rolley whenever I have some free time.
Having a Blast at Local Festivals and Events
The quaintness of Maple Ridge’s main street, 224th Street in downtown, and all the community events that go on there are sure some of the highlights of living in this area.
The energetic Caribbean Festival, the soulful rhythms of the Jazz & Blues Festival and the Bluegrass Festival, the unexpected cornucopia of culture at Music on the Wharf and the down-home feeling of The Country Festival Agricultural Fair are just some of the enjoyable Maple Ridge activities year-round. There is never a shortage of exciting things to do and wonderful people to see at nearby Maple Ridge festivals.
In addition to these annual events these are also the Home Shows put on by the Ridge Meadows Home Show Society, The Haney Farmers market every Saturday for eight months out of the year, and regular community productions at the ACT Arts Centre, along with plenty of ice rinks, golf courses, bowling alleys and more to keep anyone busy.
Why You’ll Love Living In Maple Ridge
Vancouver is a thriving city with a population that keeps growing every year. As it grows, communities like Maple Ridge thrive by providing hard-working Vancouverites the opportunity for respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
At its heart, Maple Ridge is a small town with big ambitions. One does not have to travel far to find the farmland and rural laborers that helped form the backbone of the region. But one can also look west towards the glistening cities and bridges that signal the source of our current prosperity.
In Maple Ridge amidst the gorgeous maple leaves and scenic beauty you will find scenes straight out of an idyllic family living storybook. Children meet at the bus stop to discuss homework and trade jokes. Hard-working adults gather at the local pub over a pint to blow off some steam and ask about one another’s families. They may also see one another at our fabulous Community Arts Centre when watching a foreign film or honing their culinary skills.
Some of them may then depart the next morning using our convenient West Coast Express Light Commuter Rail, or in their own cars, while others will open their shops in town to serve the local community for another day.
Scenes like these play out all the time, and they separate us from the more hectic lifestyles of those who live in Vancouver. Here in Maple Ridge you will find it easier to discover the perfect property for your family to grow strong together while you settle into a comfortable routine, punctuated by the excitement that events in Vancouver and nearby cities bring.
Maple Ridge Has Some Amazing Schools
Maple Ridge shares School District 42 with Pitt Meadows. Together we have some amazing academic programs in addition to extracurricular activities that kids love.
Altogether, in Maple Ridge we have:
- 18 Elementary schools, including a public Montessori school and many French immersion programs
- Four grade 8-12 Secondary Schools, including a Hockey Academy, a Soccer Academy and a Self-Directed Curriculum at Thomas Haney
- Two adult Learning and Continuing Education facilities
The Maple Ridge educational community emphasizes small class sizes, engaged learning, student-focused curriculums and a balanced offering of technical and liberal arts programs.
Recreation-Focused Fun in Maple Ridge
We have over 60 parks in total, which includes the exhilarating Wild Play Adventure Park ropes course, the beautiful Memorial Peace Park in the middle of town, Horsemen’s Park with its extensive horse-riding trails, Hammond Stadium, many Baseball diamonds and basketball courts, and Cliff Park and Falls. We have the perfect mix of nature trails and modern facilities for a leisurely afternoon.
There is always something going on in Maple Ridge! We have the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre which provides a year-round calendar of community classes, activities and cultural events.
Getting Around Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge lies within the regional TransLink network and is served by many bus routes throughout the day and much of the night. Riding the West Coast Express light rail will definitely quicken your commute. This line provides rapid transit from the Port Haney, Maple Meadows and Pitt Meadows Stations all the way to the Vancouver Waterfront right downtown.
The city also has several public transit and alternative transportation options, including a network of bike-friendly streets and transit center parkades.
Selling a Home in Maple Ridge
I love introducing new community members to Maple Ridge, and I love helping Maple Ridge residents earn a payoff from their hard-earned investment in their homes.
Together, we can get people excited about buying your home and bringing in a new person we can call “neighbour.”
Have Any Questions About Maple Ridge Real Estate, Or Buying or Selling a Home?
I offer extensive information on both Maple Ridge and real estate transactions in general, which is available in the tabs you see at the top of this website page. I am also available to answer any questions you have. Contact me using the convenient form to the right, and hopefully we can start a long and rewarding relationship together!