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Watch the numbers for the first portion of the year in Muskoka. Everything is up. It’s a great time to sell if you are sitting on the fence. If you are contemplating buying, new listings are coming on every day. Don’t wait. Contact us to help!
Jan-Dec 2023 Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Freehold House MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® *Mary Lake, Fairy Lake, Peninsula Lake, Vernon Lake Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Freehold Houses MLS® Listings and … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch“
Muskoka Region, January – March 2023
Jan-Sept 2022 Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Freehold House MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Freehold Houses MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch“
A WETT inspection, which stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer, includes a thorough inspection of all wood burning appliances such as stoves and open fireplaces, by a certified WETT inspector. Given the potential threat these technologies pose to the well-being and health of those in the home, a WETT specialty inspection can give you the … Continue reading “What is a WETT inspection and do I need one?”
Prepared By: Chris Kapches, LLB, President and CEO, Broker JULY 19, 2022 The changes that have taken place in the Muskoka and Region waterfront and recreational marketplace in only the last three months have been unprecedented. As the Bank of Canada began to increase its benchmark rate in March the resale market, not only in … Continue reading “Real Estate Market Report January-June 2022: Muskoka Region”
Prepared By: Chris Kapches, LLB, President and CEO, Broker MAY 13, 2022 Many of the themes that first emerged in the Muskoka and Region recreational marketplace during the pandemic are still in play during the first third of 2022. Average sale prices continue to rise, days on market remain exceptionally low, and the sale to … Continue reading “Real Estate Market Report January-April 2022: Muskoka Region”
2021 MUSKOKA REGION The Muskoka and area recreational real estate market has changed dramatically in the past few years and particularly during the pandemic. At the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, the entire real estate market in southern Ontario came to an abrupt halt. At that time, in the early spring of 2020, it was … Continue reading “COTTAGE REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT”
JANUARY 22, 2021 It would have been impossible a year ago to predict, no, even image the way the Muskoka and area recreational waterfront marketplace would unfold. Expectations were high that 2020 would perform well. As in recent, previous years, the concern was supply – would the available inventory throughout the year be sufficient to … Continue reading “Chestnut Park’s Real Estate Market Update | Muskoka, January-December 2020”
As a cottage owner in Muskoka, there is a good chance you have had to have your dock repaired or replaced. If a new dock, or repairs to your current dock are in your plans for the future, there are a number of aspects to the project we would suggest you research and consider before … Continue reading “Thoughts on Dock building”
Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® *Mary Lake, Fairy Lake, Peninsula Lake, Vernon Lake Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch – Sept 2019”
Originally published in REMonline.ca Jul 16, 2019 By Natalka Falcomer Maybe it’s the new flight service by Porter Airlines to Muskoka or maybe it’s the smog that’s prompting Torontonians to move from the hustle and bustle of the city to set up a life in cottage country. Or maybe (and more likely) it’s the cost … Continue reading “Legal issues to consider when buying a cottage”
JULY 23, 2019 Analyzing the Muskoka and area recreational waterfront marketplace in 2019 has been extremely taxing. As it is, this marketplace is complex, varying by price point, market location and region. The closest the market comes to producing any kind of pattern in 2019 is that average sales prices have increased, however, months of … Continue reading “Real Estate Market Update | Muskoka, January-June 2019”
Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area and price … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch – June 2019”
Muskoka Cottage Market Watch May 2019 Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch – May 2019”
The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® System for the Lakelands region numbered 31 units in February 2019. This was a decrease of 16.2% (six sales) from February 2018 and was well below average for the month. On a year-to-date basis, waterfront sales totalled 66 units over the first two … Continue reading “Lakelands waterfront sales remain on the quieter side in February”
JANUARY 26, 2019 It became obvious as 2018 wound down that the recreational market place was not immune to what was happening on the broader economic front. Throughout 2018 borrowers in the Toronto and area market place were reluctantly pulling in their horns, forced to do so by rising interest rates and borrowing costs, mortgage … Continue reading “Real Estate Market Update | Muskoka January- December 2018”
The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® System for the Lakelands region numbered just 18 units in December 2018. This was a large decline of 64.7% from December 2017. While December is always a quiet month for waterfront sales, this was a particularly low sales figure. On an annual … Continue reading “Lakelands waterfront sales quiet to end 2018”
The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales of waterfront properties numbered 95 units in November 2018. This was a decrease of 18.8% from November 2017. On a year-to-date basis, waterfront sales totalled 1,663 units over the first 11 months of the year. This was down 21.7% from the same period in 2017. “Non-waterfront sales shot up … Continue reading “Lakelands waterfront sales remain subdued in November”
OCTOBER 31, 2018 As the third quarter of 2018 came to an end, it remained unclear if a shift was taking place in the broader Muskoka and area marketplace. Generally, we see declines in the number of waterfront, recreational properties sold, concurrently with a strengthening of average sale prices, except for some isolated markets. At … Continue reading “Real Estate Market Update | Muskoka, January-September 2018”
Muskoka Market Watch – September 2018 Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® in the Muskoka Market. Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Cottage MLS® Listings … Continue reading “Muskoka Market Watch – September 2018”
Each year Christie’s International Real Estate produces a snapshot of what is going on the world of luxury real estate. This fascinating read gives an in-depth perspective on different markets across the continent and the planet. Most noteworthy, Muskoka is listed as the number 2 location worldwide for secondary residences. You might find interesting the section … Continue reading “Christie’s Luxury Defined 2018 White Paper”
Lakelands property sales improve in June, but still below last year’s levels Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® System for the Lakelands region numbered 239 units in June 2018 . This was down just 7.7% from June 2017 and was the fourth best-ever June. It was abovethe 10-year June average and just slightly … Continue reading “Sales improve in June”
Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Cottage MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch – June 2018”
The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Lakelands property sales remain well below last year’s record levels in May 2018 Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® System for the Lakelands region numbered 191 units in May 2018. This decreased by 42.1% from May 2017, which was a record. On a year-to-date basis, waterfront sales totalled … Continue reading “Sales in May 2018”
Number of Listings and Sales of Muskoka Cottages Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Single Family MLS® Listings and Sales for the last 4 years by area as reported by The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® *Mary Lake, Fairy Lake, Peninsula Lake, Vernon Lake Sales by Price Range Summary of Waterfront Cottage MLS® Listings … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch – April 2018”
APRIL 11, 2018 This report begins with a disclaimer. These reports are prepared using, amongst other sources, data provided by the Lakelands Association of Realtors. In late 2017 the Association moved to a new multiple listing provider, and unfortunately ever since the Association has experienced difficulties producing reliable market data. What data we do … Continue reading “Real Estate Market Update | Muskoka, January-March 2018”
– down from a very strong February in 2017 Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® System for the Lakelands region numbered 36 units, down 34.5% from February 2017. This was almost exactly in line with the 10-year average for the month of February. On a year-to-date basis, waterfront sales (72) were down … Continue reading “Lakelands property sales running at average levels in February 2018”
The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® system for the Lakelands region (55 units) came in 6.8% below December 2016. This was still the third best level for the month on record, standing on par with the five-year December average and well above the 10-year average for that month. … Continue reading “Waterfront sales running close to average levels in December 2017”
Our friends at Hanley Mortgage Group have provided us with a handy breakdown of the changes. Darlene Hanley has noted the following detailed, yet simple explanations of the implications of the new mortgage rules. Client Cheat Sheet: Mortgage Need to Knows News and Information You Can … Continue reading “New Morgage Rules”
Sales of waterfront properties recorded through the MLS® system of Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® came in 25.3% below last September’s record. On a year-to-date basis, waterfront sales were down 14.4% from the first three quarters of 2016. The waterfront figures for September 2017 stood in between the five … Continue reading “Waterfront sales remain at average levels in September 2017”
It is very common for cottage owners to rent out their cottage for a portion of the summer. Renting your cottage can be financially rewarding however, when you rent your cottage you are exposing yourself to additional risks of loss or damage, and you are exposing yourself to potential expensive lawsuits. What if a renter … Continue reading “Insurance & Cottage Rentals – Let’s Talk”
– January-April, 2017 An in-depth look at the Muskoka real estate numbers by the Gardiner Team Number of Listings and Sales Unit Sales Volume – Summary of Waterfront Cottage MLS® Listings and Sales for the past 2 years, and this year to date as compared to last year to date, by area as reported by … Continue reading “Muskoka Cottage Market Watch – Jan-Apr ’17”
Nathalie Tinti, Barriston LLP 45 Ann Street Bracebridge ON P1L 2C1 705-645-5211 ntinti@barristonlaw.com Who doesn’t love a boathouse? It increases the living space of your cottage and some boathouses are so beautiful that they are actually like a cottage themselves. These larger boathouses are usually two story and include some sort of … Continue reading “The Two Story Boathouse”
The Coles Notes of GST/HST and Real Estate Nathalie Tinti, Partner Barriston LLP ntinti@barristonlaw.com 45 Ann Street Bracebridge ON P1L 2A1 (705)645-5211 There is much discussion around exempt verses taxable supply of property. I have been advised by many accountants: the rule is: everything is subject to HST unless there is a specific rule that … Continue reading “GST/HST and Real Estate”
Nathalie Tinti, Partner Barriston LLP ntinti@barristonlaw.com 45 Ann Street Bracebridge, ON P1L 2A1 (705)645-5211 Question: Is my two story boat house legal? Answer: Chances are, if you have a two story boat house it is located on either municipally owned land (likely an original shore road allowance) or land over which the Ministry … Continue reading “Boathouse Q & A”
If you are looking for answers to insurance questions for your Muskoka cottage, the best place to start is at a local insurance brokerage. We talked to Lori McCormack at AW Shier Insurance Brokers, now part of the Stan Darling Insurance group. Here are some answers to a few of the most common questions and concerns … Continue reading “Cottage Insurance: FAQ’s”
These days, there are more options than ever when it comes to buying or selling a home. It seems a new website, or sale-by-owner service is popping up every week. And while there is most certainly room for technology, progress, and a fresh approach within the real estate industry, this inevitably creates a lot of … Continue reading “Why you need a Realtor more than ever in the internet age”
?For most people, buying or selling a home is one of the most important and highest value purchases they will make, and potentially the most challenging. November is Financial Literacy Month, an opportunity for the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) to put consumers on alert for 10 major home buying and selling mistakes that … Continue reading “Watch out for RECOs top 10 home buying and selling pitfalls”
Buying or selling a home or cottage is far more than a real estate transaction. Its often at the heart of a major life transition?such as purchasing your first cottage, buying a larger cottage because your family has grown, or downsizing to simplify your life as empty nesters. Thats why a REALTOR? can make such … Continue reading “Why a REALTOR??”
When you purchase a home, consider how you will protect your investment. Most mortgage lenders insist on fire insurance coverage at least equal to the loan amount or the building value, whichever is less. You should also consider a homeowner’s policy that combines fire insurance on the building and its contents with personal liability … Continue reading “Real Estate Q & A: What is homeowner's insurance and do I need it?”
Purchasing a home involves one-time costs and monthly expenses. The largest one-time cost, of course, is the down payment. It usually represents between 5-25% of the total price of the property. Typical monthly costs incurred with homeownership are mortgage payments, maintenance, insurance, condo fees, property taxes, and utilities. In addition to the actual … Continue reading “Real Estate Q & A: What are the associated costs of purchasing a home?”
When it comes time to make an offer, your Real Estate Professional can provide current market information and will assist you in drafting your offer. Your agent will communicate the offer, sometimes known as an Offer to Purchase, to the seller, or the seller’s representative, on your behalf. Sometimes there may be more than one … Continue reading “Real Estate Q & A: Making an Offer”
Tierney Stauffer LLP Lawyers, Alexander Parker, Associate Arnprior, Ontario When you purchase real estate, it is crucial that you obtain a property with clear ownership or “good title.” Title insurance can assist in ensuring that the quality of the legal title that you are purchasing is unproblematic thereby giving you peace of mind. Title insurance … Continue reading “What is Ontario title insurance? Why do I need it?”
By virtue of Section 2 of the Public Lands Act, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for the management of Crown land in Ontario, including the beds of most water bodies. Part of that responsibility is ensuring a fair return to the people of Ontario for the use and occupation of Crown land. … Continue reading “BOATHOUSES on CROWN LAKE/RIVER BED”
Whether you have already looked at over 50 different homes, or you are just setting out on your house hunting journey, there are a few key things to keep in mind when touring each property. Although your emotional reaction can be an important element (after all, buying a home is one of the most significant … Continue reading “Real Estate Q & A: what are some of the most important things to look at when buying a home?”
“Thank you for the memorable sales and closing experience of finding the cottage of our dreams. A perfect fit for our needs.”
I & E – Lake Muskoka cottage buyers“Jim and Iris Gardiner were both amazing to deal with. A truly professional team. They shared a great deal of knowledge with us and really shed important light regarding potential Island Cottage ownership – all the pros and cons. Not only did they sell our existing cottage in 24 hours for much higher than our asking price they helped us find our new slice of paradise on Lake Muskoka in a very tight market. We are thrilled with our new cottage and love being on Eilean Gowan Island! We would highly recommend either Jim or Iris for any of your Real Estate needs!”
J & D – Sold on Echo Lake and bought on Lake MuskokaJim did me a favor 20 years ago and I wanted to return the favor – I approached him and Iris at the cottage show and, even though I already had a real estate agent, he recommended a cottage property that I purchased and enjoyed for those 20 years. I therefore, tracked him down and had him be our agent in selling that property. Our priority was to find new owners that would be friendly and fit in well with the neighbors and Jim and Iris found the perfect couple Jim and Iris made the entire sale most enjoyable. The experience was so smooth and enjoyable that the sellers, the buyers and the real estate agents all got together for supper the following summer at our old cottage!
K & L – Lake MuskokaIt is with great pleasure and appreciation for me to recommend the services of Jim Gardiner and the entire Gardiner Team. Jim’s awareness of community by-laws and market related activities extracted incremental value for us when we were finalizing the purchasing agreement.
JB – Mirror LakeJust want to tell you that you did a fine job for me on the cottage sale on Lake Muskoka. The sale has removed a huge load from my shoulders. Iris, just a note to thank you again. Money is in the bank!!!!!!
BJ – Lake Muskoka