This series explores Cottage Country through the eyes of realtors. 
We learn about the different areas by tapping into the real estate agents’’ experience, information and wisdom. Topics of interest include the topography, amenities and services, residential and commercial developments. 
In this March/April issue of Cottage Home and Property Showcase, we focus on Huntsville and the Almaguin Highlands. We ask the questions: Why should I move to Huntsville or the Almaguin Highlands? What do these areas have to offer?

The realtors speak HUNTSVILLE
“Located only two hours from the GTA and 20 minutes from Algonquin park, Huntsville has always been enjoyed as a great vacation area and now people are deciding it’s not only a good place to visit, but a great place to live,” begins Trevor Docherty, Coldwell Banker. 
“Huntsville has a positive energy,” suggests Sue Burke, Royal LePage. 
“In part,” continues Burke, “this energy is due to our progressive business people and our energetic politicians who love the community.
The words “Touch the Past, Embrace the Future” are embossed on the welcome sign at edge of the town. “They describe the essence of the town and the reason so many people are choosing Huntsville as a place to live,” states Donna Best, Royal LePage.
“A meandering river runs right through the centre of downtown,” she continues. “Restaurants
have developed along its shores and the town centre prospers with unique shops.”
“Huntsville is set among high rocky hills and beautiful lakes,” adds Bev Wood, Coldwell Banker.
“Our topography is so diverse,” explains Angel Benn, Royal LePage. “We have homes on level terrain as well as properties that provide a cardio experience.”
“Sandy shorelines, rocky outcroppings with sheer bluffs into the water, rolling hills, flat land – it’s all part of Muskoka,” adds Les Szawlowski, Royal LePage. “Every kilometre is so much different from the last.”

Bev Wood Coldwell Banker		Tom Harsanyi Royal LePage		Angel Benn Royal LePage
Les Szawlowski Royal LePage		Marcia Joiner Royal LePage		Trevor Docherty Coldwell Banker

Growth
“Huntsville has had phenomenal growth and is an excellent investment,” asserts Jay Richardson, Chestnut Park.
“The area has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years,” agrees Docherty. “Much can be attributed to the increased demand from the aging population and the desire of the baby boomers to find a more relaxed way of living.”

Development Residential
“To accommodate increased housing demand, new developments include high-rise style condo complex’s and high-end subdivisions,” states Docherty.
“Reid’s Heritage and Settler’s Ridge are two of the new subdivisions,” adds Anneke Stafford, Royal LePage.
“One of the more prestigious developments is Woodland Heights by Deerhurst,” says Sue Brown, Chestnut Park. “Also just past the hospital, Larry French is building a large development called Homesteaders Lane.
“Due to start this spring is a new subdivision with full town services and lots backing onto the Highlands Golf Course,” adds Docherty.
“These are not typical subdivisions,” reveals Cheryl Geertsma, Re/Max, “where there are similar homes all in a row. These developments offer a variety of styles as opposed to cookie cutter homes. Lots tend to be bigger and strict laws protect the environment.
“New subdivision development is conducive to family life,” states Auralee Broughton, Century 21. “We’re seeing more and more young families moving into the area.” 
“The new waterfront condo development close to downtown is being developed in two stages,” explains Marcia Joiner, Royal LePage. “The first phase has three units left out of 24 with the average age of the owners 75.
“The second phase, scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2008, already has 10 out of 28 units reserved.
“Underground parking, a car wash plus lockers, on the same floor as your unit, plus the ability to walk downtown are a few of the attractions,” she adds.
“Mount Vernon Estates now has condos and offers good value,” claims Burke. “It’s still affordable for a family moving from the south and have the lifestyle they’re looking for.”
“New homes continue to be built on the lakes,” states Broughton.

Development Commercial
“The economic growth and development in Huntsville is booming,” says Joiner. “In some cases, companies are scrambling to find workers, especially the trades.
“In the past,” adds Broughton, “it was often difficult to find jobs. But we’re getting more and more of the higher paying jobs and more choice.”
“Our new Commerce Park offers a Wal-Mart, Your Independent Grocers, restaurants and smaller chains plus accommodations catering to the business travelers,” states Best.
“TD Bank and a Kawartha Credit Union are also coming online for the Commerce Park,” adds Thomas.  
Creating excitement is the revitalization and development of the downtown core and waterfront with beautiful shops, grassed areas, condominiums and restaurants. Completion is expected by 2010.
“Development in Huntsville is really taking off,” states Broughton. “But we still have that small-town feel. You get to know the people you see everyday.”

Sue Brown Chestnut Park		Auralee Broughton Century 21
Mary Thomas Royal LePage		Jay Richardson Chestnut Park

Medical care
“The hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville have updated their equipment and amalgamated,” explains Geertsma, “decreasing the need to travel to other areas for treatments and tests. 
“Baby boomers are moving here and bringing their parents,” she continues. “We have the needed services and special care.”
“We’ve become a regional centre for health care for communities between North Bay and Barrie,” adds Burke.

Amenities
“When choosing where to buy, amenities are important,” claims Steve Leonard, Chestnut Park.
“Good shopping, a great downtown, wonderful waterfront to walk along, excellent restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques – we have everything” suggests Tom Harsanyi, Royal LePage.
“The nice thing about the Huntsville area,” he continues, “is that five or 10 minutes from town you find uninhabited lakes and corners of the countryside where people can be private and secluded.”
“An active community, the outdoor enthusiast won’t be disappointed,” states Docherty.
“We have great fishing and golfing,” says Szawlowski. 
“If you’re a downhill skier you can go to Hidden Valley,” adds Benn. “Rock Ridge Tubing is a great place for the young.”
“The number of trails in the area is unbelievable,” states Scott Morrison, Century 21, “whether it’s hiking, biking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing.”
Wood adds, “Hockey, lacrosse, dance schools, gymnastics, badminton and tennis are big.”

Golf
Muskoka is inundated with wonderful golf courses,” asserts Mary Thomas, Royal LePage. “We have five PGA rated courses. Clublink owns golf courses all over Ontario, including our Mark O’Meara golf course.
“You can golf the smaller course at Grandview, if you want to warm up your irons.”
Boating
“You can boat right into town,” states Thomas. “We have four lakes within the town of Huntsville.”
“Our lake system,” adds Broughton, “includes a four-lake chain – Lake Vernon, Peninsula, Fairy and Mary lakes all connected – with tons of boating, and beautiful waterfront parks.”
“Huntsville is known for this ‘chain of lakes’ – 40 miles of boating from Port Sydney right up to Huntsville,” adds Richardson.
“If you have waterfront property and guests come up from the city, you can hop in the boat, ride into town, dock your boat and stroll down the street. You can stop and have dinner at any one of our wonderful restaurants, see a play at the theatre and get back in your boat and go home.
“These four Huntsville lakes are excellent, clean recreational-vehicle lakes for water-skiing, tubing, boating and fishing,” Richardson continues.
“The smaller lakes in the area such as Walker and Bella do have boating restrictions. They’re ideal lakes for the family that wants to be able to go out and canoe, maybe do some fishing.”

Activities
“Winter carnivals are everywhere,” says Wood, “in Huntsville as well as the smaller surrounding towns.”
Summer events include outdoor markets with home-baked goods, arts and crafts. Horse-drawn buggy rides can be found at Pioneer Village, now called Muskoka Heritage Place.
“We have something for everyone,” suggests Benn. “We have a wonderful library. If you like volunteering, hospice or the hospital can use as many hands as they can possibly get.
“We also have a wonderful animal shelter,” she continues. “If you want to walk a dog for exercise the shelter will be more than happy to provide a pup, or you could adopt one for companionship.”
“Bingo, card nights, swimming and yoga are all here as well,” adds Stafford.
“A local transit system with a regular schedule assists those who don’t drive,” states Szawlowski.
Are you interested in service organizations? “Huntsville has a full selection of service clubs including Rotary,” notes Leonard.

Anneke Stafford Royal LePage		Donna Best Royal LePage
Scott Morrison Century 21		David Burr Royal LePage

Theatre
The Algonquin Theatre, seating 408, in downtown Huntsville, opened its doors on May 14, 2005.
“There is not a bad seat in the house,” states Thomas.
“We have people coming to our new theatre from all over,” adds Benn. “It’s quite magical.”
“Our Huntsville Performing Arts Association is a group of people who travel to Toronto in search of musicians and theatre groups,” explains Joiner. “They bring performers to the theatre – perhaps a piano player, an instrumental quartet, a singer. We’ve had a symphony orchestra and we’ve had a choir of 200. This group sets up a program for 10 shows a year.”
“Huntsville is such a vibrant town,” says Brown. “It’s attracting a flourishing arts community.”
Each July the Festival of the Arts presents musical performances and displays the work of the Huntsville arts community.
“On Monday nights, our movie theatre has alternative movies,” adds Joiner. “If it won the Cannes Film Festival it will be there. They are really good movies by new directors.”
“Huntsville is very musically oriented,” states Burke. “Shania Twain lived here and worked at Deerhurst. You’ll see a lot of people coming from this area in the future that are really quite talented. Hawksley Workman – Ryan Corrigan is his real name – is huge in Europe and here. He’s only 26 years old and grew up in Huntsville.”
Leonard adds: “We’re a two-hour drive from most places. In addition to all that Huntsville has to offer, if you still miss going to the theatre or shopping in Toronto, you can easily drive down for the day, spend the afternoon and come home.”

Provincial Parks
“Algonquin park is right at our door,” states Stafford. “It’s only 40 minutes to one of the most beautiful parks in Canada. For nature lovers, it’s an absolute must!”
“You can hike, fish, canoe and camp,” states Wood. “You can canoe right where the moose are. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
“Stop on the side of the road and hike on one of the many mapped trails – experience lakes, waterfalls, rock cliffs and spectacular quiet scenery.”
“Less than 10 minutes from downtown Huntsville, is a well-kept local secret,” says Brown. “With approximately 28 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, hiking trails, snowshoe trails and skating, Arrowhead Provincial Park is a smaller version of Algonquin.”

Beaches
“Hutcheson Beach, on Lake Vernon, and Avery Beach are two popular places in the summer,” states Stafford.
“Mary Lake Beach in Port Sydney is another amazing beach,” adds Morrison. “Launch your boat in Mary Lake and you can have a great day out with the family.”

ALMAGUIN HIGHLANDS
“More and more people are discovering the beautiful Almaguin Highlands, just north of Muskoka,” begins Louisa Moffit, Re/Max.
The gateway to northern Ontario, the Highlands is a vast area covering approximately 3000 square miles stretching from Muskoka to North Bay, east to Algonquin park and west to the shores of Georgian Bay.
“If you’re looking for pristine countryside, lakes, rivers and forests you’ll find it in the Burk’s Falls area,” adds Harsanyi.
 “Some travel up the Highway 11 corridor,” says Moffit. “Others choose to come up the 400 and over, through Parry Sound. It’s just as quick.
“Many of the townships now have their official plans,” states Moffit. These official plans define parameters such as lot frontages, etc.
“In most cases property in the Almaguin Highlands has more frontage but costs less because you’re further north,” she explains.

Louisa Moffit Re/Max		Cheryl Geertsma Re/Max
Steve Leonard Chestnut Park		Ike Kelneck Bowes & Cocks

Recreation
“Summer fun includes boating, fishing, walking and hiking trails,” states David Burr, Royal Lepage. “Winter sees a host of activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing.
“Nature is all around with quaint little villages and shops throughout the region,” he adds.
“Each of these smaller communities has its own events, winter and summer,” says Moffit. “Just about every weekend there’s a different activity. Burk’s Falls just hosted the Almaguin Cup. They came from all over Ontario and Quebec to race snow machines.”
Adds Burr: “Almaguin is full of majestic lakes, including a 40-mile waterway, which extends from Burk’s Falls all the way to Ahmic Harbour through Cecebe and Ahmic Lake.”
Big boating is also available on the Doe Lake system, which takes you through the Magnetawan River into Little Doe, Middle Doe and Big Doe lakes.
“Canoeing and white-water rafting are great,” adds Moffit.
“Baby boomers are leaving the smog and noise of the cities to spend retirement in the beautiful natural setting of the north,” asserts Burr. “The friendly atmosphere is great with neighbours ready to support and welcome you to the north. Hospital facilities makes it convenient for families and seniors.”
“With the new four lane highway,” states Morrison, “you can get north a lot quicker than in the past. It’s just straight highway and it’s no problem.
“Burk’s Falls is growing,” he continues. “Planned development includes a large grocery store and a Tim Hortons.”
“While the price point is slightly lower in the Almaguin Highlands than in the heart of Muskoka,” states Szawlowski, “it’s beginning to see considerable pressure.”
Lynne Winterfield, Re/Max, agrees, “As people move into the area, the demand goes up and then the price goes up. The Almaguin area is growing because people are finding, if they are willing to travel the extra 20 to 30 minutes north, their dollar buys a lot more.”

Development
Big Sky – the Magnetawan Club is a new development located in Burk’s Falls within sight of Highway 11. It covers a 175-acre site with 3,000 feet of frontage on the Magnetawan River. The land is rolling with large panoramic views across the valley.
“From the highest point you can see 10 miles of forested hillside and valleys,” states developer Adam Stelmaszynski.
Breaking ground in May 2007, the first phase will include a maximum of 15 homes to be ready for the summer of 2008.
“We will have individual lots, custom homes and fractional and non- fractional cottages of varying sizes,” he adds. “There will be a club house with a swimming pool and a restaurant.”
Homes will range in size from 1600 – 4500 square feet. Lots are one to three acres. The site is as big as a golf course with a maximum of 110 housing units.

Crown Land
“Even if you don’t own waterfront property, you can still access the lakes and rivers in cottage country, by way of Crown land, including public beaches and boat launches,” states Morrison.
“Many mistakenly think that everything is open once they come north of Severn Bridge. However, most of the land is private,” explains Ike Kelneck, Bowes and Cocks. “There is a lot of Crown land, but people don’t always know where it is,” he continues. “Fortunately, there are maps available. Most properties have some sort of Crown, or government, land accessing them. The Crown land may go into a river or it could be in a tic-tac-toe pattern across the townships. It could be estimated that every ten 100-acre blocks of land has Crown land touching it somewhere.
“Generally you can have admission to that Crown land, as long as you follow certain rules,” Kelneck explains. “You can’t ruin it, leave garbage or leave campers for more than 28 days.”

Buying the right property
“It’s a question of listening to what people are looking for,” states Thomas, “matching them with the property they want, not wasting anyone’s time.”
Geerstma adds: “I ask clients if they want a new home ready to move in or if they’re renovators. Some buy a home for the location. They plan to gut it and rebuild.”
Other things to consider when looking at a property include: Do you like the neighbourhood? Are you familiar with the lake? What kinds of activities are on the lake? Do they coincide with your future plans? Is the home insurable?
“Some cottages and homes have outdated wood-burning appliances, others below standard wiring and plumbing,” advises Harsanyi.
“I always suggest using a home inspector.”
“The smartest investment people can make is to hire a professional bonded home inspector.”
“One of the messages I tell people at the very beginning,” says Leonard, “is that once they find a property they’re interested in, act quickly. Often they don’t react quickly enough and they often miss out on the first two or three properties.
“Realtors search for available properties, which match the buyer’s needs,” he continues. “However, buyers’ wish lists are often quite similar.”
“Other buyers, who have now realized there isn’t a huge supply of prime properties, jump in first with an offer.
“Sellers, on the other hand,” he continues, “often try to sell their properties for more than the buyers are willing to accept. A property sitting on the market for a year or two starts to see price reductions and, in many cases, sells for less than had it been priced according to what the market would bear.
In the May issue of Cottage Home and Property Showcase, we will focus on the three corners of the Lake of Bays – Dwight, Dorset and Baysville. You can contact us at marylee@northcountrymedia.com. We welcome your comments.

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