Houses come in many shapes and sizes.
While in cities they can get a bit repetitive, especially the Vancouver Special, there are plenty of unique homes with a bit of extra flair or something that makes them special.
And sometimes they hit the real estate market.
None of these are cheap, per se, but given the housing market in Metro Vancouver, they might seem quite reasonable when compared to what a place in the city costs. There's even a private island that's selling for about the same as the average house in the city of Vancouver.
The one in the forest
Slides: 2-4
Asking price: $1,995,000
Location: 4440 Spellman Pl, Metchosin
Size 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom
There are lots of houses and cabins built in the middle of a forest in B.C., but this one is really in the forest.
The home outside of Victoria is a single-storey, and it's half underground. On top of that, literally, is a huge concrete slab covered in vines and grass, and a greenhouse, hiding the fortress-like building on a 10-acre property.
In fact, the most obvious sign of a residence may be the above-ground pool.
In Vancouver, there are a couple of East Vancouver duplexes that cost the same as this unusual property.
The Yurt Cabin
Slides:5-6
Asking price: $798,000
Location: 1015 Peninsula Rd, Uclulet
Size: 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom
Fusion is a popular term for foods, but what about properties?
In this case, there's a cabin near Uclulet on Vancouver Island built in the style of a yurt. The circular structure takes advantage of the views at the property, looking out through the forest to the nearby inlet.
The unusual structure was built as part of the South Swell Cabins but has been subdivided into its own property.
In Vancouver, several Yaletown and West End condos are the same price as this Island escape.
The Rising Sun
Slides: 7-9
Asking price: $4,250,000
Location: 17949 87th St, Osoyoos
Size: 3-bedroom, 5-bathroom
Dubbed "The Rising Sun" in the listing, this Osoyoos home has more than a couple of nods to Asia, specifically Japan, in its design (and current interior design). It goes so far as to put the Japanese Kanji for "rising sun" on the front.
The design nods continue inside, including etched glass, art in the sinks and a ceiling meant to be reminiscent of a sun.
In Vancouver, this house near Cambie Street and King Edward Avenue is a comparable price.
The Golden Castle
Slides: 10-12
Asking Price: $1,979,000
Location: 8751 Highway 6, Silverton
Size: 7-bedroom, 3-bathroom
While it may look older, this Silverton house was built in 2007. It's currently used as a wellness centre, with seven bedrooms.
It appears there were plans to create a "holistic village" at the site, but that appears to have been scraped as the whole property is up for sale, including a large greenhouse and grow rooms with LED lights.
There's also a yurt.
In Vancouver, this Killarney house is about the same price.
The Santa Fe Ranch House
Slides: 13-15
Asking Price: $2,900,000
Location: 1788 Willowbrook Rd, Oliver
Size: 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom
Self-proclaimed as "Canada's finest Santa Fe-inspired home," this Oliver house does appear to bring a little Tex-Mex to the Okanagan.
Centred around a pool, there's a main building and a pool house, all designed to look like it was scooped from the ground in New Mexico and set down in B.C.
It's got a few other notable features, as well, including space set up for a vineyard, a putting green and furniture that (could) come with it.
In Vancouver, this Shaughnessy townhouse is asking the same price.
The one with its own church
Slides: 16-18
Asking Price: $5,900,000
Location: 264 Eastside Rd, Okanagan Falls
Size: 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom
This Okanagan property includes a big, beautiful, luxurious house with a dock and views across a stunning lake, but there are lots of those in B.C.
What makes this unusual is what appears to be a tiny (but functional) church at the highest point of the rocky property.
Unfortunately, the listing doesn't address the church, and it doesn't appear to be listed elsewhere, but the images of the property clearly show a little wooden church, including a peek inside.
In Vancouver, this Shaughnessy house is on the marked for the same price.
Sunset Island
Slides: 19-21
Asking price: $2,450,000
Location: Dl 953 Sunset Island
Size: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom (plus three other bedrooms in two other structures)
Private islands are hard to come by in B.C., but outside of Port Alberni on Sproat Lake sits the little Sunset Island.
While it is a true island, a bridge connects it to the rest of Vancouver Island (island-ception), so boating home each day isn't necessary.
And it's not just notable because of the private island; it's also a multi-house property, with a two-bedroom floating home, a cabin dubbed the "Love Nest," and a much larger main house.
In Vancouver, this Kitsilano duplex is the same price.
The first olive garden in Canada
Slides: 22-24
Asking price: $6,850,000
Location: 1309 Mackinnon Rd, Pender Island
Size: 7-bedroom, 3-bathroom
While this spot also has access to a private island (though it's not built on) in the Salish Sea, that's not the big draw.
Many people buy produce from farms on the Gulf Islands, but did you know there was a grove of olive trees? More than 80 of them were planted over 20 years ago, and seem to be doing well enough in the coastal air.
The home here is also notable, having been built in 1914. It also offers spectacular views.
In Vancouver, this Coal Harbour penthouse is the same price.
The one with a koi pond in the living room
Slides: 25-27
Asking price: $5,888,000
Location: 1060 Heffley Louis Cr Rd, Kamloops
Size: 4 bedrooms, several bathrooms
A lot is going on with this one. The koi pond in the living room is probably the most eye-catching detail, given it's large enough that a bridge was built over it.
It's also a horse property, which isn't totally unique, but uncommon, with several outbuildings for taking care of a herd of horses.
There's also a garden with several significant Asian features, including an arch and what appears to be a bell. There's also another, larger, manicured pond outside. And two additional houses for staff.
In Vancouver, this South Granville home is on the market for the same price.
