“Cottage life is all about family,” says Diane McKee of Chestnut Park. “The cottage is often the only place everyone comes together under one roof to talk and laugh, other than perhaps Christmas morning.
“Some people working abroad, perhaps in Hong Kong or Amsterdam, retain cottages in Muskoka,” continues McKee. “We’re finding these executives are quite willing to give up their Toronto house, but they tend to hold onto their cottages because wherever they are living, they want their children to come back and have a Canadian experience; to have a Muskoka experience – to see their cousins – to know their grandparents. They come back for six weeks in the summer so their children will know a little of what it’s like to grow up in Canada.”
In this segment of Talking with Your Realtor we travel around the big three lakes to Gravenhurst, Bala, Port Carling and Rosseau and then take a look at developments in Orillia, Severn Bridge and Muskoka.

GRAVENHURST
“Gravenhurst is easily accessible, right off the highway,” begins Wendy Godfrey of Sutton Real Estate.
“Located between Lake Muskoka and Gull Lake, both in walking distance to the downtown core, Gravenhurst is a beautiful area with a nice mixture of new development and older homes,” adds Catherine Inniss of Re/Max.
“Many of the homes on Gull Lake are hooked up to municipal water and sewers, offering the benefits of both worlds,” states Godfrey.
“A four-season playground, Gravenhurst is a nature lover’s retreat with landscapes of natural beauty right in town as well as water sports on the lakes,” adds Sandi D. Allan of Royal LePage.
Erin McCoy of Century 21 says, “There has been a paradigm shift from Gravenhurst as an adult community for retirees only, to a place for entrepreneurs, young families, professionals, retirees and so on. They’re all getting into the game.”

Amenities
“Gravenhurst has all the amenities you need,” states Susan Cook of Royal LePage. “Everything else is just a short drive.”
“There’s a lot to do in Gravenhurst,” agrees Mary Gauthier of Re/Max, “including the Farmers’ Market, theatre, world-class golf and summer festivals.”
“Enjoy heritage and culture with the Opera House, the Bethune House, the Segwun and Wenonah II,” suggests Allan.

Rosemary King Re/Max		Evelyn Ceschia Re/Max
Mary Gauthier Re/Max		Jon Osborne Royal LePage

“Fine dining, great golf and conference facilities are available at Taboo,” adds Inniss. “Community events, home shows and more are held at the arena.
“We also have a great school system,” she adds. “Gravenhurst High School, with approximately 600 students, is highly rated by the universities.”
Summer hockey camps are also popular, plus the town boasts a variety of activities and clubs.
“We have a skating club, soccer, baseball, dance school and a skate boarding park,” says Godfrey.
“In addition, Gravenhurst has several great beaches. The youth in Gravenhurst can find entertainment minutes away from their homes.
“Our seniors’ centre is very active. They have a great community spirit,” she adds.
Cook states, “With more and more people coming into the area there’s a demand for additional services including medical. “We have eight doctors from Bracebridge and Gravenhurst trying to put together a medical clinic for the area. It
will be comprehensive including a nutritionist, a physiotherapist and mental health facilities.”
“Gravenhurst is definitely on the map as far as growth, both residential and commercial,” states Godfrey.
“The face of the town is changing significantly,” explains Jon Osborne of Royal LePage. “Shoppers Drug Mart and Canadian Tire will be in the south end. Also, we’re getting a new Sobeys grocery store.
“Highway 11 will be moved,” he continues, “changing the entrance to town to incorporate the Muskoka Bay development. The golf course property extends from North Muldrew Lake Road all the way up to Muskoka Road South.”
“There are great opportunities for new retail, both at the Wharf and in the main downtown core,” states Rosemary King of Re/Max.

BALA
“Bala, Port Carling, Torrance, Glen Orchard are among several small communities where people feel safe and comfortable,” says Evelyn Ceschia of Re/Max.
“Teenage cottagers and locals find summer jobs. People stop to chat. Walk into a store and the lady behind the counter may not know your name but she recognizes you. Go into the bank and half the people know you. It makes you feel good.”
Bala, the town by the waterfalls, is known for the Cranberry Festival, the Kee to Bala and Don’s Bakery.
“Bala has a good first-impression feel,” begins Keith Edwards of Royal LePage. Newcomers fall in love with this community, the friendly people and the fragrance of the pine trees.
“I enjoy seeing clients step out of their car and inhale the fresh clean air,” he adds.
Bala is actually an island with Lake Muskoka on one side and the Moon River on the other. At the falls, Lake Muskoka empties into Moon River and the water flows out to Georgian Bay.
“Moon River is a series of bays great for boating,” states Edwards. “It’s like a small lake beginning at the Bala Falls. It goes down as far as the Moon River dam then to the Ragged Rapids power plant.
“Between those two points the river is actually flooded and controlled by Ontario Hydro. Below the dam and the power plant, the river flows all the way to Georgian Bay.
“It’s a very large river with a lot of nice sand beaches,” adds Ceschia. “One of the bays is as large as some of the small lakes in this area. Kids tube and water-ski and there’s good fishing.”
“People on the river enjoy access to Lake Muskoka very easily by putting their boat on a trailer and moving it over to the lake for the day,” explains Edwards. “An excellent public dock and boat launch on Moon River is five minutes away from another one on Lake Muskoka.”

Keith Edwards Royal LePage		Sandy Waldie Chestnut Park
Ross McLean Re/Max		Diane McKee Chestnut Park

Amenities
A popular waterski show is held on Tuesdays at Windsor Park in Bala.
“They perform antics and stunts, and skits,” says Ceschia. “People bring their own chairs. Often you will see two or three generations sharing a holiday.
“Everywhere you go, in the restaurants and at events, you’ll see grandparents with their grandchildren,” adds Ceschia.
“Cottagers and locals will often walk into town to get their paper, go to the bakery and have a coffee. They will sit, read their paper and chat with those who go by. We have walkers and joggers. I’ve been watching the same people walk year after year,” says Ceschia.

PORT CARLING
“Port Carling is the centre of the big lakes,” begins Ross McLean of Re/Max.
“It’s called the Hub of the Lakes because it’s between Lake Muskoka and Lake Rosseau with Lake Joseph very close by,” explains Sandy Waldie of Chestnut Park.
“Cottages on these big lakes have access to extensive boating which is a huge draw,” adds Don Evans of Royal LePage.
“You can do just about anything by boat,” suggests McKee. “Back in my cottaging days, we never used the car. We’d come to Port Carling, go to Port Sandfield, get our bread, milk and vegetables, go to the liquor store, go for a nice cruise up the lake, play golf or go for dinner at Rocky Crest or the Lake Joe Club. It’s a whole way of life that doesn’t really exist in most places and it’s grown throughout the years.
“There has been little Crown land around these lakes for many years,” states McKee. “It’s all privately held. Much of the very best properties, the most desirable properties – the beautiful points and the pine trees and the views to the south – were the first in the area to be developed and have very modest little cottages on them. Sometimes those properties come up for sale or a family might sever a lot or two.”
Evans adds, “Port Carling also has a number of smaller lakes, which enables buyers to enjoy the benefits of the area and at the same time get into the Muskoka market place at a considerably lower cost,”
McLean says, “The smaller lakes in the immediate vicinity include Silver Lake, Henshaw, Brandy, Leonard and Bruce lakes each with their own charm.
“Leonard Lake is quite picturesque with rocky shores. Henshaw Lake is surrounded by year-round roads and Silver Lake is very quiet with no motorboats.”
Ray Brown of Coldwell Banker explains, “We have two and three lake systems, which are great for boating, but carry an increased value.
“Little White Fish Lake, Clear Lake and Big White Fish Lake make up a three-lake system between Foot’s Bay and Parry Sound, accessed off old Highway 69.
“The terrain varies from a level landscape to sheer cliffs providing magnificent panoramic views,” states Evans.
McKee adds, “Those living on cliff-like terrain often have inclinators installed to easily transport people up and down, to and from the dock or boat house.
A “right of way” to one’s property in Muskoka is common.
“The long winding roadways where you see all the names posted at the entrance, are often right of ways – private lanes, not municipal roads,” explains Wendy Cook of Royal Lepage.
“Property owners using that right of way are responsible to get together and share in the costs of maintenance, snow plowing etcetera.
“Private roads typically are governed by these local road associations, formed by the cottagers,” adds McLean. “The associations often have two sections – one involves everyone for the summertime and the other involves only those people who use the roads in the winter time.”
Brian Cook of Royal LePage states, “Port Carling is a world-class destination with buyers coming not only from Canada but also from the GTA, the United States and Europe.

Wendy and Brian Cook Royal LePage		Catharine Inniss Re/Max
Don Evans Royal LePage		Susan Cook Royal LePage

Amenities
“While Port Carling is a bit of a sleepy hamlet in the winter time, in the summer it really comes to life offering everything from theatre to quality marinas and good shopping,” states Evans.
“Port Carling offers fine dining, great golf courses and miles and miles of great boating,” adds Wendy Cook.
“Visit beautiful Hanna Park, our new library or the Muskoka Lakes Museum,” suggests Waldie.
“We also have a wonderful butcher right in Port Carling – Morley Stephen. He is an institution continuing a family business that goes back generations.
“Sherwood Inn is a classic historic inn on Lake Joseph,” points out Waldie. “Enjoy the walking and cross country skiing trails as well as their spa and award winning restaurant.”
“Many enjoy watching the steamships, the Segwun and Wenonah II, pass through the locks and swing bridge right in the middle of town,” adds McLean. These locks open navigation between lakes Muskoka and Rosseau.
“Port Carling has retained its village character,” says Lynda Lynn of Royal LePage. “It’s an active community with a lot of services including two golf courses, an ambulance station, a veterinarian, a curling club and much more.”
Diane McKee adds, “Port Carling is the seat of government for the Muskoka Lakes Township which means we have the public works people and the tax and planning departments. We have lawyers, architects, a large supermarket and more churches per capita than anywhere else in Muskoka.”

ROSSEAU
“Rosseau is approximately half an
hour away from everything – Bracebridge, Huntsville, Port Carling, Parry Sound, Georgian Bay,” begins John Dixon of Coldwell Banker.
“The Rosseau area is the southern edge of thousands and thousands of acres of Crown land that all Canadians have the right to use whenever they want. They can go camping on it, walk through it, hunt. And it is right here, in our back yard. You can throw a rock from Rosseau and it will hit Crown land.
“It’s a big attraction for a lot of people because they are not limited to the size of their property,” Dixon continues.
“We are also half an hour away from 92 different lakes. It is nice to be able to have an almost unlimited variety.
“Rosseau is close to Minett with Red Leaves about 15 minutes away,” adds Petra Brinkmann-Wulf of Royal LePage. “Once this new resort is in full swing a lot of people working there will need housing. So, in the future, I think the housing market here could go pretty wild. It will certainly affect Rosseau as well as Port Carling within the next five to seven years.

Amenities
“We have a nursing station where you can get vaccinations, blood tests and several other types of treatments,” states Brinkmann-Wulf.
“At this point in time it’s held in a trailer, but within a few years there will be in a new building with doctors coming in a couple of times a week.”
Steve Elsasser of Coldwell Banker adds, “It will be a beautiful building. They already have quite a bit of new equipment.
“The clientele is coming from Port Sandfield, the Minett area and as far over as Port Carling because they can get their tests done here quicker,” says Elsasser. “They don’t have to sit and wait for appointments. They can pretty well phone Tuesday and go on in Wednesday.”
Brinkmann-Wulf says, “It is a very nice community. It’s very European. People drop in for coffee or tea. Everybody cares.
“We have a women’s institute and a horticultural society. They bring in great guest speakers, even well- known people from TV. We have a general store with a butcher and even a little department for hardware,” she continues.
“We have yoga classes, a restaurant, a bulk food and variety store, a library, liquor store and a post office,”says Brinkmann-Wulf.
Elsasser adds, “The waterfront was improved about two years ago.”
Brinkmann-Wulf adds, “We have the farmers’ market at the new waterfront, a little beach area for kids, picnic tables, a play area, boat ramps, big docks and gazebos where you can sit in the shade. People come in by boat and just stroll around; perhaps stay for lunch.”
Rosseau Lake College, a boarding school, has wonderful programs. Students come from all over the world to attend. The elementary school is in Humphrey, where highways 141 and 69 meet – a 10 to 15 minute drive from the village of Rosseau.
Rosseau has many interesting unique shops and, for golfers, four of Muskoka’s best courses are less than 30 minutes away.

Petra Brinkmann-Wulf Royal LePage		Steve Elsasser Coldwell Banker
Wendy Godfrey Sutton		Sandi D. Allan Royal LePage

DEVELOPMENTS
As you will read below, cottage country offersseveral accommodation options to live and play. This account is not all-inclusive, even for our specific target area. In this July segment we will start in Orillia and stretch around the big three lakes, but it will give you an idea of some of the exciting things happening.
We start in Orillia as we enter cottaging territory.
“Panoramic Point offers full ownership, year-round condominiums on Lake Couchiching in Orillia,” states Roseanne Kelly of Milborne Real Estate.
Located 10 minutes from Casino Rama, ground breaking is expected this summer.
There will be 98 condos in this eight-storey building with 400 feet of shoreline.
“We have one, two and three bedroom suites, the majority with a view of the water,” continues Kelly. “We are 60 per cent sold.”
“It’s a beautiful piece of property. Lake Couchiching is a very desirable lake with many attractions. Part of the Trent-Severn System, it flows into Lake Simcoe. “This is a big waterway system,” she adds, “and because Couchiching is not land-locked you can boat from one lake to another.
“Lake Couchiching warms up quickly and is sandy and fairly shallow. It’s a boaters’ and cottagers’ delight.
Next we travel north to Severn Bridge where the Cottages II at Port Stanton offer luxury cottages which buyers own for five weeks of the year with the option of exchange through Interval International all over the world.
“These are individual high-end cottages within a resort environment with access to resort services, equipment, rental programs – a full host of amenities,” states Dianne Hounsome of the Cottages at Port Stanton.
The cottage is scheduled for your arrival. All owners need to prepare are their personal belongings and groceries. The cottage is maintained and cared for so that it is ready to use, regardless of the season.
“Owners have access to an indoor pool, games room, squash courts, tennis courts, boat rentals, kayaks, canoes, water skiing and programs for the kids in the summer,” adds Hounsome.
Available are hiking trails, great beaches, good swimming and fishing. Enjoy a big screened-in porch, decks, outdoor heated pool and hot tub, all right on the lake.
There are only eight 1,650 square foot cottages in this development, very exclusive, high end.

Next stop – Gravenhurst!
“Gravenhurst is ever expanding with developments such as the Muskoka Bay project, new condominiums and more,” states Allan.
“The Muskoka Bay Development, with a world-class golf course and 16 single-family home plans, offers full services – town water and sewer, natural gas, digital wiring for high speed Internet and cable TV,” states Maggie Tomlinson of Muskoka Bay Development.
“Kingbrook Estates, on Muskoka Beach Road, is in phase one with beautiful homes incorporating new and unique products,” adds McCoy.
The Granite Trail Condominium, located on James Street, between downtown and the Wharf, has 40 units and four floors – 10 units per floor with storage lockers, an elevator and underground parking. It’s a first for Gravenhurst and is located on a walking trail that leads down to the wharf. Developers are anticipating fall construction and occupancy May 2008.
“This is a two-and-a-half acre, well forested, property and the price range is quite attractive,” adds Osborne.
“Gateway on the Bay”, a new upscale community, has 38 lots located in town next to the Gateway Ungerman Park,” states Gauthier. “Natural walking paths lead to the beach and to the top of a beautiful flat granite rock sitting area where you can enjoy outstanding sunsets overlooking Muskoka Lake.
“In a span of four years it is incredible what has happened in Gravenhurst,” states McCoy. “If you haven’t been here for two to four years you will not believe what has happened.”
“Gravenhurst is certainly on the cusp of huge growth,” agrees Gauthier. “It all started with the Muskoka Wharf project with condos, retail shops, the antique and classic boat museum and the popular Muskoka steamships offering 100 mile cruises on lakes Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph.”
“Muskoka Wharf is a 90-acre project,” adds Carolyn Tripp of the Muskoka Wharf. “The town owns all the sports fields with the soccer field doubling as an events field. There’s a children water playground, public docking slips.”
The Residences at the Wharf offer two six-storey condo buildings with a third to be built in the near future. “There are 43 one to three bedroom units, a waterfront view and no maintenance,” explains McCoy.
“The wharf has generated other improvements in the downtown core as well as residential,” states Wray. “Anytime you bring in a mega project, it improves all real estate surrounding the project.”
Port Carling, a short drive around lake Muskoka, is next.
“A new development – 30 villas – can be found at the Port Carling Golf Club,” states Jim Gardiner, Chestnut Park. “The villas are in blocks of four – 1,825 square feet for the three-bedroom version and 2,200 square feet for four-bedroom.”
Lake Rosseau near Minett is the site of Red Leaves, a 1,400-acre new destination for cottagers and locals.
“This resort will provide guests with a large array of healthy-living lifestyle options and activities,” states Steve Taggart of Red Leaves.
Suites range from 464 to 1,284 square feet. They are fully furnished complete with fireplace and kitchenette right down to towels and cork screw. Each resort suite is owned by an investor who uses that suite for a few weeks of the year, and when not in residence, earns revenue.
Diamond’s Edge, adjacent to Diamond “In the Ruff” Golf Course, is located on the old Parry Sound Road near DeeBank Road and is half way between Rosseau and Bracebridge.
Diamond’s Edge offers shared ownership of waterfront custom-built Normerica post and beam cottages facing Nutt Lake.
“Each cottage is 1,597 square feet, with three bedrooms and two baths, occupancy of eight and is furnished with custom-made furniture. We call it quaint luxury,” states Rhondi Peacock of Diamond’s Edge.
“Owners walk in, have the conveniences of home plus golf. It’s worry-free cottaging. It’s like having your own private course and cottage.”
Every person that purchases a share, or an interval, receives all membership privileges at the Diamond in the Ruff, during their stay.
“Our first official owners arrived Friday, June 1st,” continues Peacock. “Phase ll begins this fall.”
“There will be only 15 cottages with a total of 150 owners on 33 1/2 acres of land.
“This is an active community with walking trails, row boats and bicycles,” she adds. “Golf and cottaging are no longer just a dream.”

Roseanne Kelly Milborne		David Kajin Royal LePage
Iris and Jim Gardiner Chestnut Park		Rhondi Peacock Diamond’s Edge

READY TO BUY
“Buyers are educated and knowledgeable,” says Edwards. “They are very sophisticated and they take their time.
“Buyers don’t seem to be jumping at things,” agrees Brown. “They are much more tuned into value these days. They do their homework, look on the Internet and establish what they are willing to pay for a property.”
“In the past everybody wanted to buy a cottage before the May 24 weekend,” states Edwards. “Buyers now do not care whether it’s May 24, July 1, August 1 or Thanksgiving. It may take them a year to find the right property.
“People always ask me the best time to list or the best time to buy,” he continues, “and I tell them the best time to buy is when you see the place you like, because if you wait, it won’t be there. Somebody else will buy it.
“It is very important,” states Edwards, “that the buyer understand if it’s the place you like, buy it.”
Peter Steele of Re/Max adds, “Over 90 per cent start their search on the Internet. They contact us saying, ‘I’m looking for a cottage. I can afford to spend “x” number of dollars. What can you find for me?’
“It is critical in purchasing real estate to know what you can afford,” he adds.
“I suggest people have an open discussion with their partner and make a list of priorities before they even think about talking to any agent,” says Dixon. “Once they have their list of priorities and they’ve got them prioritized – this is number one and most important. This is number 15 and I can live without it. Once they have that, I suggest they shop around and talk to a bunch of different real estate agents and find one that seems to fit with their personality. Then stick to them like glue until they find exactly what they are looking for.
“The shocking thing for people when they first start coming up into this neck of the woods is the cost of property. As more and more people find Canada a good investment, these properties are only going to go up.
“I invite people to come and sit in my office,” continues Brown. “Like many realtor offices, we have large maps on the wall and information on all the lakes - their size, shore lines, the fish habitat. Unless buyers have some specific knowledge of an area, it can be difficult and we can help.
“I suggest going to a bank that is in the same area as you are buying. They understand the area and can best serve your needs.”
Maureen Webb of Re/Max explains, “We customize a program for our buyers and send listings. Once we meet and show them around we can pretty well narrow the gap in understanding the type of home or cottage they want. When something hits the market we look at it, make sure that it fits their bill and then call. The property photos may look nice but they don’t tell the whole story. There is no point in having our clients drive up from the city unless the property meets their criteria.”
Osborne states, “To better understand the type of property my clients are interested in, I first ask where they would like to be – in a rural location, in town, on the water.
“Are they looking for a cottage property or a full-time year-round residence? Buyers should have a basic idea of preferred size.
David Kajin of Royal LePage adds, “While buyers are more informed because of the Internet they often underestimate the value of waterfront.
“Many buyers have been cottagers and have fallen in love with Muskoka,” he continues. “Others visit their friends until it gets to the point where they decide to stop visiting and buy their own property.”
“It always helps to be pre-approved,” suggests Osborne. “While you may have a price in mind there is often a difference between your ideals and the banks.”
“The cottage and residential markets are booming,” says King. “Buyers need to be prepared to make a competitive offer.”

LOCATION
There is more flexibility in selecting the location of a cottage as opposed to a year-round home where you want to be close to work, a school, church or shopping,” states Steele.
“Buying a cottage is a discretionary purchase,” he explains, “not something you need to have. It is something you want to have and most people would be happy in a lot of different places.
“I look for places that will fit the buyers price range within a reasonable drive,” he continues. “I drive with the buyer to properties and ask questions such as, ‘What don’t you like about this property? What do you like about it?’
“Then we can start to be more focused and I can proceed with the search as their eyes and ears. It is not necessary, at that point, to have them come along to each and every site. I go out, every day, looking at property.”

Peter Steele Re/Max		Ike Kelneck Bowes and Cocks
Maureen Webb Re/Max		Steve Hunt Re/Max

LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL PROPERTY
“If you’re looking for a really special property, you may very well have to look at a property with the intent to tear down the cottage,” states Evans.
“The best properties have typically older cottages, because they were settled first,” explains Steve Hunt of Re/Max. “These properties have good views, good roads and a lot of them are on Lake Muskoka.
“Lakes Joseph and Rosseau were developed later because they were further to drive and harder to get to.
“My advice to any buyers, if they want to build, is to set up an appointment with the appropriate people at the municipal offices,” state Evans. “In the last couple of years we’ve experienced extensive changes to the municipal rules and regulations that dictate what you can, and cannot do, on the waterfront. It has become quite complicated and involved.
“Make sure that, at the end of the day, if you want a two-storey boathouse with living accommodations or a substantial new cottage, the lot will accommodate that.”

NOT EVERYONE WANTS WATERFRONT
“There is an increasing influx of people who are coming into Muskoka as retirees who don’t necessarily want, nor can they afford, to be on the water,” explains Jim Gardiner of Chestnut Park. “We’re seeing more and more of these people, selling their homes in the city, wanting a lifestyle change, and coming into Muskoka.
“They can keep a boat at a marina if they want access to the water and buy a nice country home.
“Retirees can be as busy or as private as they want to be in Muskoka,” states Iris Gardiner of Chestnut Park. “There’s a huge range of things available for both permanent residents and cottagers. There are wine tastings, volunteering, auctions, museums – countless ways to meet people.

THINGS ARE CHANGING
“In the past, without technology people couldn’t get into some steep properties. They didn’t do a lot of blasting,” states Steve Hunt of Re/Max. “Now they’re blasting to settle cottages into the backside of rock faces. So you are seeing some cottages in places that you wouldn’t think a cottage would go and inclinators are often used to reach the waterfront.
“We are also starting to see people building cottages that are more four-season homes,” he continues. “People coming here to buy, or build, want to have the same things as they have at home. When they turn the key they want to be able to walk in, turn on the big screen TV and stereo system. They want to relax in their Jacuzzi and have all the comforts of home.”
According to Iris Gardiner more and more people are staying in Muskoka longer, bringing their work with them.
“Some of our clients spend four days a week here working. They come up Thursday night and spend Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday here and go back Tuesday morning. Offices are now part of the initial design for new cottages/homes.”
Cottage country is no longer a one-season destination.
“Some have been able to choose a lifestyle that allows them to live where they holiday, in their cottage or forest retreat,” states Ike Kelneck of Bowes and Cocks. “This is a wonderful thing.
“Because of the Internet, cell phones and other electronics, they work from home and from their car.”
Adds Kelneck: “When I first got into the real estate business, you had to drive to the city to get offers signed and now we can do everything by email, faxes and scanning.”
McCoy adds, “People in Toronto are starting to look north and the Internet is enabling them to live here and go back to Toronto two days a week, rather than the other way round.”

GETTING READY TO SELL
“Pricing is certainly remaining strong,” states Webb. “The Re/Max corporate forecast indicates 2007 as being a very strong year with no weakening.
When pricing a property, several factors are involved.
“The most important is property that has sold. This indicates what the market will bear,” explains Webb.
“Cottages and properties are so unique and so individual. It’s not like going into a subdivision where the houses are similar and the area and neighbourhood are the same.
“Cottage country is quite different,” she continues. “We look at the view, the topography, the condition of the building, the age of the septic, is it winterized or not winterized, accessibility, seasonal roads, private roads. Is there a well, a water purification system, town sewers?
There is a whole gambit that you run through to help establish a price,” states Webb.
“We check with the township for the rules governing future construction on the property and for a steep property we get prices on an inclinator.
“We offer suggestions, such as the property needs painting or the dock needs to be repaired, and sometimes we bring in a professional stager.”
King says, “Sellers are sometimes surprised to find out there is work to be done on their house before listing. It could entail gardening, painting, staging the home, even tearing down a wall. The home may have served the owner’s purpose but now they are not selling to themselves, they are selling to the general public. That’s when neutral colours and tidiness become most important.”

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