Cottage Home & Property Showcase: Checking out cottage country

People are travelling north of the city to find their dream home. In this feature, we view cottage country through the eyes and experience of the realtors.

BRACEBRIDGE
Bracebridge is the site of a well-equipped hospital, expanding university and college and a new state-of-the-art recreational centre.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” says Kelly Purkis of Sutton Real Estate. “Bracebridge is a small town but with the recent developments, there are a lot of choices.”
“More and more people are coming to Bracebridge,” states Robert Philp of Royal LePage. “It’s a healthy, clean, safe environment and the scenery is amazing.
“Small towns like Bracebridge make people behave the way they’re suppose to behave,” adds Philp. “You don’t cut people off because you’re going to be standing next to them at the grocery store the following day or sitting next to them at the hockey game.”

“In the past, people would be lucky to come up to the cottage for the weekend. They spent the rest of the week down south. Now, because of increased Internet access, they can do the opposite and sometimes they don’t even bother going back!
“It’s a complete reversal of what it was years ago,” says Ike Kelneck of Bowes and Cocks.
Wendy Webb of Royal LePage adds, “It all comes down to friendly people and a small town feel...You move to Muskoka for a quieter lifestyle, a more relaxed pace,” she continues, “but you are never far from shopping or from the city.”
“You can now take the train to Toronto,” says Lynda Lynn of Royal LePage. “Also, Hammond Bus Lines offers excursions to various destinations.”
Russ MacKinnon of Royal LePage is inspired by the scenery.
“Maps of Muskoka don’t do it justice,” he says.

Lynn adds, “Bracebridge is not huge like a city, but it’s big enough to have all the amenities. The fact that the river runs through town is important because many who move here want to be on the water, but they don’t want to be too far out of town.”
“Ravines running through the town add to its charm,” says Jennifer Lever of Re/Max. “Homes backing onto a ravine have privacy with nature right in their own back yard.
“Neighbours refrain from building fences so wildlife can wander in their own habitat” she adds. “Kids build tree forts in the wooded areas."

Progressive
“Bracebridge is very progressive for the area,” suggests Purkis. “Always trying to attract new industry, it’s constantly developing and moving forward.”
“Cutter’s Quest Meadows has 36 custom designed homes,” says David Thorpe of Royal LePage.
“In addition to new developments, established subdivisions including Meadow Heights, McCrank and McNabb offer housing at varied price levels.”
Darryl McCullough of Royal LePage states, “Mattamy Homes is one of the largest home builders in Ontario. They are here with a major project. They don’t make these decisions without being satisfied they’re building in an area of growth.
“In addition buildings are being constructed in the South Muskoka Industrial Park for incubator businesses,” he continues. “This provides inventory for those making decisions to bring their businesses to the area or to expand.”

Active community
The new Bracebridge Sportsplex includes a secondary school, community recreational area with a pool, theatre, running track, weight room and much more.
“Bracebridge offers several training and sports programs for kids,” says MacKinnon. “There’s cross-country ski coaching, mountain biking and canoeing/kayaking clubs.”
The town has facilities for curling, skating, hockey and trail systems for snowmobiling.
“Our sandy beaches are popular in the summer,” says Thorpe. “For those who like to golf,” he adds, “there are 14 golf courses within a half-hour drive of Bracebridge.”
An extensive network of artists exists in Muskoka. The Autumn Studio Tour is a popular annual event.
“It is wonderful because you can watch the artists at work or chat with them in a relaxed environment,” explains Webb.

HUNTSVILLE
“Good shopping, a great downtown, wonderful waterfront to walk along, excellent restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques – we have everything in Huntsville,” says Tom Harsanyi of Royal LePage. “The nice thing about the area, is that five or 10 minutes from town you find uninhabited lakes and corners of the countryside.”
“Located only two hours from the GTA and 20 minutes from Algonquin park, Huntsville has always been enjoyed as a great vacation area,” says Trevor Docherty of Sutton Real Estate.
“Now people are deciding it’s not only a good place to visit,” he adds, “but a great place to live.”
“Huntsville has the advantage of having a really nice downtown core,” says Bonnie Nunn of Century 21.
“Huntsville is set among high rocky hills and beautiful lakes,” adds Beverly Wood of Coldwell Banker.
“Our topography is so diverse,” agrees Angel Benn of Royal LePage.
“It’s all part of Muskoka,” states Les Szawlowski of Royal LePage. “Every kilometre is so much different from the last.”

Growth
“The area has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years,” states 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.”
“One of the more prestigious developments is Woodland Heights by Deerhurst,” says Susan Brown of Chestnut Park. Also, just past the hospital, Larry French is building a large development called Homesteaders Lane.”
Adds Cheryl Geertsma of Re/Max: “These developments offer a variety of styles as opposed to cookie cutter homes. Lots tend to be bigger and strict laws protect the environment.”
“We’re seeing more and more young families moving into the area,” states Auralee Broughton of Century 21.
The completion of the revitalization and development of the downtown core and waterfront 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.”
Medical care is always a concern. “The hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville have updated their equipment and amalgamated,” states Geertsma.

Amenities
“Our town is so rich in sports,” says Denise O’Connor of Royal LePage. “There’s lots of downhill and cross country skiing.”
“If you’re a downhill skier you can go to Hidden Valley,” suggests Benn. “Also Rock Ridge Tubing is a great place for the young.”
Scott Morrison of Century 21 adds, “The number of trails in the area is unbelievable – whether it’s hiking, biking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing.”
“We have great fishing and golfing, as well” adds Szawlowski.
“Hockey, lacrosse, dance schools, gymnastics, badminton and tennis are big,” suggests Wood.
Like to golf? “Muskoka is inundated with wonderful golf courses,” asserts Mary Thomas of 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 to warm up your irons.”
“Our lake system,” explains Broughton, “includes a four-lake chain – Lake Vernon, Peninsula, Fairy and Mary lakes are all connected – with beautiful waterfront parks.”

Jay Richardson of Chestnut Park speaks of the 40-mile ‘chain of lakes’ from Port Sydney to Huntsville: “You can hop in the boat, ride into town, dock your boat and stroll down the street.”
Smaller lakes in the area such as Walker and Bella have boating restrictions. They’re ideal lakes for the family that wants to canoe or fish.
Huntsville is only 40 minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park.
“You can fish, canoe and camp,” says Wood. “Stop on the side of the road and hike on one of the many mapped trails.”
Brown adds, “Less than 10 minutes from downtown Huntsville is a very special place that is being discovered by more visitors every year.
“With about 28 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, hiking trails, snowshoe trails, skating and camping, Arrowhead Provincial Park is reminiscent of Algonquin.”
The Algonquin Theatre in downtown Huntsville opened its doors in May 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.

BAYSVILLE
Baysville, with quaint shops, restaurants, artisan studios, plus a scenic dam with parks and picnic areas, sits where the Muskoka River meets Lake of Bays.
“One of the annual events includes the Baysville Walk-About,” says Patricia Zwaal of Century 21. “The town closes the streets and people walk up and down to visit vendors with everything from rabbits to beautiful woodcarvings.”

The view from the fire tower in Dorset is spectacular, allowing those who climb to the top to take in Muskoka’s beauty. Photograph: Melissa Kosowan

DORSET
The main street of Dorset is the border dividing the District of Muskoka and the County of Haliburton Highlands. One side of the street is in Muskoka and the other side is in Haliburton.
“We’re the home of the famous Robinson’s General Store where you can purchase anything from groceries to clothing, paint, hardware items, gifts, toys and greeting cards. Our village has two churches, a post office, restaurants, a museum, library, community centre with squash courts and a fitness centre . . . a liquor store and more,” says Maxine Reid of Century 21.
“Dorset is also known for its famous lookout tower where you can see for over 20 kilometres in all directions,” states Mike Baum of Century 21.
“We are virtualy equal distance from Algonquin park, Huntsville, Bracebridge and Minden,” he continues.
“Approximately 92 per cent of the land and 30 per cent of the lakes, in this northern part of Haliburton, are Crown-owned,” adds Baum.
“This does two things,” explains Ellen Wiley of Coldwell Banker. “It keeps the population down on the lakes and offers an abundance of nature and places to explore.”
“The quieter, small lakes offer privacy,” adds Zwaal. “Raven Lake is just south of Dorset. Residents park at the landing at Highway 35 and boat in. Paint Lake is a mile long, has river access to Lake of Bays plus it has the shortest covered bridge in Ontario,” she adds.

DWIGHT
Dwight, with the charm of a small village, is home to restaurants, accommodations, various stores and a beautiful beach and docking facility.
Steve Leonard of Chestnut Park adds, “We have an elementary school, a fabulous library and an historical long-standing antique store.”
“When people were buying a cottage back in the 50s, 60s and 70s” says Richardson, “they looked at a cottage accessible for the summer. Now, it’s important to most buyers to have their cottage/home accessible year-round and to be winterized.”
Each lake has its own association to promote and maintain the health of the lake.

GRAVENHURST
Located between Lake Muskoka and Gull Lake, Gravenhurst is a beautiful area with a mixture of new development and older homes.
“Gravenhurst is easily accessible, right off the highway,” begins Wendy Godfrey of Sutton Real Estate.
“Many of the homes on Gull Lake are hooked up to municipal water and sewers, offering the benefits of both worlds.”
“I like the fact that it’s safe,” says Wendy Cleland of Royal LePage. “Gravenhurst is very friendly and it’s a great place to bring up children.”
In addition to farmer’s markets, theatre, world-class golf and summer festivals, Gravenhurst is also home to the Bethune House and the historic steamships at the Muskoka Wharf.
Summer hockey camps are well-known. “We also have a skating club, soccer, baseball, dance school and a skate boarding park,” says Godfrey.
“The downtown is expanding,” says Cleland. “We have the brand new Shoppers Drug Mart coming in plus new retail.”
John Osborne of Royal LePage adds, “We’re also getting a new Sobeys grocery store.” He continues, explaining that Highway 11 will be moved, changing the entrance to the town to incorporate the Muskoka Bay development.
Brent Ginou of Sutton Realty suggests, “The lakes are the number one attraction – as well as the new developments around the lake. At the same time Gravenhurst has more of the small-town atmosphere,” he says. “I just think it’s a little quieter here, even in the summer time.”

BALA
“Bala is a destination and offers many year-round opportunities,” says Mark Gidley of Gidley Real Estate.
Set near the waterfalls, it is best known for the annual Cranberry Festival and the legendary Kee to Bala.
“It also has a public beach and several parks and hiking trails plus friendly people,” adds Gidley. “A short boat ride on the Moon River or Lake Muskoka takes you to a public dock to shop, stroll the streets or eat ice cream.”
Bala is actually an island. At the falls, Lake Muskoka empties into Moon River and the water flows out to Georgian Bay.
“Newcomers fall in love with this community, the friendly people and the fragrance of the pine trees,” says Keith Edwards of Royal LePage.
A popular waterski show is held on Tuesday evenings at Bala’s Windsor Park. The town bustles with activity during the summers, with patrons visiting the cafes, pubs and restaurants. In the winter, snowmobiling and curling prevail.

Bala is known for its beautiful waterfalls, which empties from Lake Muskoka into the Moon River. Photograph: Melissa Kosowan

PORT CARLING
Port Carling lies in the centre of the three big lakes.
“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.
“You can do just about anything by boat,” suggests Diane McKee of Chestnut Park. “Back in my cottaging days, we never used the car. It’s a whole way of life that doesn’t really exist in most places and it’s grown throughout the years.”
Port Carling is a sleepy hamlet in winter, but in summer it comes to life offering everything from theatre to marinas, boutiques, fine dining, golf courses and boating.
“Visit beautiful Hanna Park, our new library, or the Muskoka Lakes Museum; enjoy the walking and cross-country skiing trails,” suggests Waldie.
Port Carling is an active community with services including two golf courses, an ambulance station, an arena and a curling club.
“We have lawyers, architects, a large supermarket and more churches per capita than anywhere else in Muskoka,” adds McKee.

ROSSEAU
Rosseau is equidistant, approximately half an hour away from surrounding towns – Bracebridge, Huntsville, Port Carling, Parry Sound, and Georgian Bay.
“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,” says John Dixon of Coldwell Banker.
The town boasts a women’s institute, horticultural society and a nursing station. It’s probably best known for its historic general store. It has just about anything you’re looking for, even a butcher and a hardware department.
Rosseau Lake College, a boarding school, is located in the village, and students come from all over the world to attend.

HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS
Haliburton Highlands is the home of Dorset, Haliburton and Minden.
“We have over 600 lakes in Haliburton County and they range in every size,” says Terry Carr of Re/Max. Most are deep glacial lakes.
“Some are spring fed, while others are controlled by a series of dams,” explains Denise LeBlanc of Re/Max. “We’re considered feeder lakes for the Trent system.”
Peter Brady of Re/Max adds that Haliburton is clean and affordable: “The lakes are pristine, not overcrowded, with an undeveloped appearance.”
“Kawagama, the largest lake in Haliburton, is a very flexible lake in that it’s still big-boating and great for sailing, plus it’s the best lake in the area for fishing,” says Wiley. “The smaller lakes are quieter and the property is often lower in price.”
“Sir Sandford Fleming College opened a branch in Haliburton modeled after the Banff Centre for the Arts,” says Brady.
In the summer months, when the regular college curriculum is not being run, it turns into a school for the arts.

Haliburton
“The town of Haliburton, surrounded by rolling hills and hard Canadian Shield rock, is built on Head Lake, part of a five-chain lake,” says Brady.
A series of parks along the waterfront provides walking paths, a playground and public beach. Local marinas rent boats, canoes and water-skiing equipment. Rotary Park offers public tennis courts.
“We’re a healthy community with programs for cyclists, walkers and hikers,” says Carr. “We’re big in snowmobiling, ATVing and skiing, both downhill and cross-country. We have great boutiques and shopping plus active service clubs organizing carnivals and special events throughout the year,” she adds.
Nearby, Sir Sam’s Ski Resort, is famous for downhill skiing.

Minden
“Minden and Haliburton are right on the verge of takeoff like Huntsville and Bracebridge,” suggests LeBlanc, “People are leaving the cities and coming to retire here.”
Minden has everything from grocery stores, a hardware store, Tim Hortons and the new hospital that the village raised six million dollars to build.
“We have a public school in Minden,” continues LeBlanc. “We have curling, badminton, baseball and both ladies’ and men’s hockey teams.”

Bancroft
Bancroft sits in north Hastings County in
the rolling Madawaska Highlands.
The towns of Haliburton, Minden and Bancroft each provide quality medical care and a full-service hospital.
“People are purchasing cottages, turning them into year round homes and retiring here,” says Jackalin O’Brien of ReMax.
“We have a huge arts community, summer theatre and two golf courses in the area with others just a short drive,” she adds.
“We also have the heritage trails that were created from the old railway bed for walking, ATVing and snowmobiling.”

Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, measuring 320 by 80 kilometres.
“You could probably spend most of your life on Georgian Bay and not see it all,” states Dixon.
Close to Muskoka, Georgian Bay is big rock, big water. Go south to Midland, Collingwood and Thornbury and find sandy beaches.
Killarney Provincial Park offers campgrounds, canoe routes and the 100-kilometre long La Cloche Silhouette Trail.
There are land-locked lakes, two-lake systems such as Crane and Blackstone and three-lake systems such as Little Whitefish Lake, Clear Lake, and Big Whitefish Lake.
Georgian Bay is an entirely different market, with a different environment, as compared to Muskoka.
Some of the best canoe trips are through the Georgian Bay, Sans Souci, Parry Sound area. In the town of Parry Sound, a waterfront walking trail links public beaches and boat launches with restaurants and marinas, the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts and the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.
Many who live or cottage in the Georgian Bay area have water-access only property.
“One main reason is privacy” says Dixon. “It is extremely difficult to get privacy.”

The Muskoka Wharf, where the Wenonah II is docked, is a popular destination in Gravenhurst. Photograph: Darren Lum

ALTERNATIVE VACATION OWNERSHIP
Fractional ownership is a an option to explore.
Diamond’s Edge
Adjacent to the Diamond “In the Ruff” Golf Course, halfway 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 sq. ft., 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 and have the conveniences of home – plus golf. It’s worry-free cottaging. It’s like having your own private course and cottage.”
The Landscapes
The Landscapes is a fractional development of cottages and villas on Lake of Bays. The buildings are wood sided with stone foundations and the single cottages have screened-in gazebos and a deck facing the lake.
“It is tasteful classic Muskoka architecture set into the landscape, placed back from the water to get a view,” says Barry Singleton, president and CEO.
The Landscapes has 64 buildings with a potential of 640 owners.
“Each interval purchaser becomes a member of a not-for-profit group that owns all the buildings, watercraft, everything,” he explains.
Lakeside at Rocky Crest
Lakeside at Rocky Crest has two powerful attractions – Lake Joseph shoreline and Rocky Crest Golf Club.
Anyone purchasing one of the Lakeside cottages receives a lifetime membership to Rocky Crest Golf Club and access to all 40 of the Club Link courses.
“The 19-unit project, a mixture of stand alone cottages, villas and four-plex homes, is just a two to three-minute walk from the waterfront,” says Kori Easson of Rocky Crest.
“We are selling whole ownership but we are also making them available in fractions,” says Tim Green, also of Rocky Crest.

READY TO SELL
When pricing a property, several factors are involved, suggests Maureen Webb of Re/Max.
“We look at the view, the topography, the condition of the building, the age of the septic, accessibility plus seasonal and private roads.
“We ask, ‘Is it winterized? Is there a well, a water purification system, town sewers?’
“We offer suggestions, such as, ‘The property needs painting’ or ‘The dock needs repair’ and sometimes,” she adds, “we bring in a professional stager.”

Ready to buy
“There is an increasing influx of people 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. “They often keep a boat at a marina if they want access to the water and buy a nice country home.”
Morrison adds, “You can access the lakes and rivers in cottage country, by way of Crown land, including the public beaches and boat launches, if you don’t own waterfront property.”
In the past, steep properties posed a problem. Without technology, people couldn’t get into some areas. Now they’re blasting to settle cottages into the backside of rock faces, so you’re seeing some cottages in places that you wouldn’t think a cottage could go. Inclinators are often used to reach the waterfront.
More cottages are being built as four-season homes.
According to Iris Gardiner of Chestnut Park, more people are staying in Muskoka longer, and bringing their work with them. “Some of our clients spend four days a week here working. Offices are now part of the initial design for new cottages/homes,” she adds.

“The best properties typically have 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.”
Harsanyi cautions, “Some cottages and homes have outdated wood-burning appliances, others below standard wiring and plumbing. I always encourage a home inspection.”
Leonard suggests: “Interview two or three agents with a history of working with a similar type of product.
“Ask for comparable sales and listing sheets. Your agent should be able to talk about that property and how long it has been on the market.”
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.”
Russ MacKinnon says, “Ask questions. Do as much research as you can. Do not assume.”

When people ask Keith Edwards when they should buy, he says, “the best time to buy is when you see the place you like, because if you wait, it won’t be there.”
“I think it’s the lifestyle, (that draws people to the area) especially if they’ve been working in the Toronto area,” says Tom Fawcett of Sharon Elliot Real Estate.
“They can cash out big time on their house in the city, buy a nice house here and have a fair bit of money left over.”
It is critical to know what you can afford. Make a list of priorities and find a realtor that fits your needs.

“Many buyers have been cottagers and have fallen in love with Muskoka,” says David Kajin of Royal LePage. “Others visit their friends until it gets to the point they decide to stop visiting and buy their own property.”
It’s a good idea to have your mortgage preapproved.
“While you may have a price in mind,” says Osborne, “there is often a difference between yours and the banks.”
“Buyers are more informed because of the Internet, however, they often underestimate the value of waterfront,” says Kajin.
Many are shocked by the cost of property. As more and more people find Canada a good investment, properties are only going to go up.

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