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Cottage Life

Wake up with an view of the ocean at these Vancouver Island vacation rentals

Known for its mild climate and wild, untamed beaches, Vancouver Island has a multitude of outdoor activities on offer all year round including surfing in the winter. These vacation rentals are located in the heart of the island’s wildness, with each boasting an ocean view. If you’re lucky—and patient—you may catch a glimpse of commuting orcas swimming along the shoreline, eagles diving after fish, or black bears lumbering through the woods.

If wildlife isn’t your thing, head to Cowichan Bay, a 45-minute drive north of Victoria. The surrounding area is flush with wineries. Get in a round of 18 at the public golf courses near the island’s southern tip. Or visit one of 40 craft breweries dotted around the island’s lower half.

Whether you’re travelling solo, or with family and friends, Vancouver Island has an adventure for everyone.

Located on the east side of Vancouver Island, this vacation rental has 1,600 feet of private shoreline. Inside is an open concept design with hardwood floors and a stone fireplace. Spend the evenings in the outdoor hot tub soaking in the ocean view.

Location: Union Bay, B.C.

Price: Averages $536 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Oceanfront property
  • Internet included
  • No pets
  • Outdoor hot tub
  • BBQ available for use
  • Outdoor fire pit

Click here to book


 

This oceanfront rental offers white oak floors, spacious bedrooms, and a kitchen with all the latest features. The rental is less than a kilometre from Cox Bay Beach, considered one of the best surfing beaches in Canada.

Location: Tofino, B.C.

Price: Averages $536 per night

Sleeps: 4

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Oceanfront property
  • Internet included
  • Laundry on site
  • Outdoor shower
  • The minimum age requirement for renters is 30

Click here to book


 

With panoramic views of the Salish Sea and snow-capped mountains, this 2,800 sq. ft. lake house is the perfect place to relax and take in the surrounding wildlife. Walk the private path to access a secluded beach where you can walk for miles, exploring the tidal pools.

Location: Comox, B.C.

Price: Averages $450 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Oceanfront property
  • Beach access
  • Minimum one-week stay
  • Laundry on site
  • Kayaks available for use but need to be driven to the launch
  • Onsite suite used by owner

Click here to book


 

From Cliff House, you can watch cruise ships sail through Discovery Passage, whales swimming north through the water, or eagles perched in nearby trees. The rental is a short drive from the shops, restaurants, and farmers’ market of downtown Campbell River.

Location: Campbell River, B.C.

Price: Averages $198 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Oceanfront property
  • Beach access
  • Internet included
  • Laundry on site
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • The minimum age requirement for renters is 25

Click here to book


 

End your evenings by watching the stunning sunset over the Salish Sea. During the day, comb the nearby beach, get in a game at Arrowsmith Golf and Country Club, or enjoy a cocktail in the sunroom.

Location: Deep Bay, B.C.

Price: Averages $149 per night

Sleeps: 2

Bedrooms: 1

Notes:

  • Oceanfront property
  • Beach access
  • Internet included
  • Full breakfast available at additional cost
  • Owner lives on-site

Click here to book


 

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Cottage Life

Bathe in the temperate rainforest on Haida Gwaii at these cabin rentals among the trees

Known as the Canadian Galápagos, Haida Gwaii is an archipelago off the west coast of British Columbia teeming with wildlife. The islands are home to unique sub-species not found anywhere else in the world, including the saw-whet owl, hairy woodpecker, steller’s jay, and Peale’s peregrine falcon.

Beyond the unique wildlife, Haida Gwaii introduces visitors to British Columbia’s rugged wilderness with isolated beaches and scenic hikes through the area’s temperate rainforests. If you’re interested in taking in some culture, the archipelago, which resides in Haida territory, features totem poles and longhouses from some of the oldest examples of coastal First Nations’ villages.

Regardless of your interests, Haida Gwaii is the ultimate wilderness retreat, allowing you to relax and reset from city life. Be sure to check the Council of Haida Nation’s website for updated COVID-19 protocols before booking your trip.

On a clear day, you can see Alaska from the balcony of this Haida Gwaii cottage rental. The oceanfront property is a short drive from the Delkatla Nature Sanctuary, Naikoon Provincial Park, and Tow Hill—a massive, volcanic plug on the north tip of Graham Island.

Location: Masset, B.C.

Price: Averages $375 per night

Sleeps: 5

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Ocean view
  • Beach access
  • Internet included
  • Laundry on site
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Pets welcome

Click here to book


 

This newly built Haida Gwaii cottage rental offers sunrise views from anywhere in the house. Enjoy easy access to some of the area’s best river fishing; play a round at nearby Willows Golf Course; or check out the rugged wilderness of Grey Bay’s beach, a 30-minute drive away.

Location: Sandspit, B.C.

Price: Averages $180 per night

Sleeps: 4

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Private beach access
  • Ocean view
  • Internet included
  • Laundry on site
  • BBQ available for use
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • $30 pet fee

Click here to book


 

Commune with nature at the Haida Gwaii Glamping Co. Rent a 300 sq. ft. deluxe tent with a queen-sized bed, washroom, and cooking appliances. This suite has a private en-suite bathroom including a shower, sink, and flushing toilet. Take a walk along the boardwalk, soak in the outdoor hot tub, or relax with a continental breakfast in the Social Dome.

Location: Tlell, B.C.

Price: Averages $388 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 1

Notes:

  • Beach access
  • Outdoor hot tub
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet included
  • BBQ available for use
  • Kayaks available for use
  • Boardwalk hiking trails

Click here to book


 

Offering an ocean view, this Haida Gwaii suite comes with an outdoor fire pit and its own koi pond. The rental provides a private path to the beach and borders the quiet serenity of Naikoon Provincial Park.

Location: Masset, B.C.

Price: Averages $375 per night

Sleeps: 4

Bedrooms: 1

Notes:

  • Beach access
  • Internet included
  • Laundry on site
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Can also rent out the entire house which accommodates 9 people

Click here to book


 

Categories
Cottage Life

Ontario cottage regions with the biggest and lowest price jumps in 2021

Real estate company Royal LePage has released its 2022 Recreational Property report. The company’s prediction: Cottage prices will continue to increase at a dizzying pace.

According to the report, the average price of a recreational property in Canada, which includes secondary properties, such as cottages, chalets, cabins, and waterfront properties, will increase by 13 per cent in 2022 to $640,710.

“The factors challenging Canada’s residential real estate market—chronic low supply and growing demand—are amplified in the recreational property segment,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage, in the report. “Demand for recreational properties continues to vastly outstrip inventory in many cottage regions across the country. Waterfront and mountain-top locations near cities are limited by nature, even in a vast land like Canada, forcing buyers into multiple-offer scenarios.”

Ontario led the charge in 2021, recording the country’s highest recreational property price appreciation with a 34.6 per cent increase from 2020. The average price for an Ontario recreational property in 2021 was $653,000. Royal LePage predicts that number will jump to $737,890—a 13 per cent increase—in 2022.

A cottage on the water will cost you even more. In 2021, recreational waterfront properties in Ontario sold for an average of $888,000, second only to British Columbia, which saw prices soar above $2 million.

YOY increase of waterfront property price in Ontario

All of Ontario’s cottage regions saw a price hike in 2021, but some more than others. When it came to waterfront properties, the Land O’ Lakes, an hour north of Kingston, saw the biggest jump with a 60.7 per cent increase, the average price rising from $450,000 in 2020 to $723,000 in 2021. This was followed by Orillia, with a 51 per cent increase from $788,000 in 2020 to $1,190,000 in 2021–making it the most expensive cottage market in Ontario.

Even with international travel expected to pick up this summer, cottage demand continues to be strong as buyers look for a vacation property to escape the city. “It’s early days, but we are seeing absolutely zero impact, given the ability to travel, on the market so far,” says Susan Benson, a real estate broker in Muskoka.

Who are the buyers?

Millennials are out in full force, she says, in both the residential and cottage markets. With the ability to work remotely, many are looking for options outside of the city. Baby boomers are also having a significant impact on cottage real estate.

“The thought people had was that baby boomers were going to quietly downsize and head off into the sunset. Well, that’s not happening,” Benson says. “They are typically approaching, or into retirement and…they are cashing out of wherever they are, coming to this market, and buying their dream home, which may very well be on the water.”

According to the Royal LePage report, 36 per cent of Ontario’s boomers are considering purchasing a new residence within the next five years. Fifty-six per cent of that group is considering buying in a cottage region. That means that over the next five years, Ontario could see an additional 729,000 people enter the cottage real estate market.

Low inventory continues to drive up prices

A second factor driving up cottage prices is the low inventory rates. Out of the 151 real estate professionals surveyed in the Royal LePage report, 84 per cent said that their region has fewer recreational properties for sale this year than last year.

According to Benson, as of the end of March, there were 95 waterfront properties available in the Lakelands Real Estate Board North area, which includes Algonquin Highlands, Bracebridge, Dysart et al, Georgian Bay Township, Gravenhurst, Highlands East, Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Minden Hills, Muskoka Lakes, Parry Sound, Severn, and The Archipelago. That inventory is down 39.9 per cent compared to the same time last year, and down 73.9 per cent compared to March 2020.

Cottage owners have held onto their properties during the pandemic rather than selling. This has caused multi-offer scenarios, with the selling price often eclipsing the asking price. According to the majority of real estate agents surveyed in the Royal LePage report, 75 per cent of recreational properties in Ontario are selling above asking price.

What isn’t selling and why

As long as you implement the right strategy, there are few cottages that won’t sell right now, Benson says. “We are seeing some properties not sell, but it’s where the price they’ve selected is misaligned with what they’re offering.”

Not all Ontario cottage regions saw major price jumps in 2021. Haliburton County recorded the smallest change with the average waterfront price rising 14 per cent from $700,000 in 2020 to $801,000 in 2021. Anthony vanLieshout, the broker of record for Royal LePage Lakes of Haliburton, says you should take this number with a grain of salt.

“If you have one or two high-end, big sales, all of a sudden those numbers become a portion,” he says. “I’m not of the mindset that Haliburton wouldn’t have seen similar appreciation to any other cottage area. It’s exceedingly robust.”

vanLieshout has, however, started to notice some hesitation on high-end properties, particularly the ones listed for over $1.5 million.

“Low inventory, that’ll probably keep the prices where they are, but interest rates may be going up and gas prices…Now it’s $100 to go to the cottage back and forth,” he says. “I think we’re going to see a stabilization. It’s maybe already started.”

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Cottage Life

How to avoid falling victim to a bad cottage real estate deal in a hot market

Low inventory of recreational property is forcing buyers to compete against multiple-interested parties, often driving the cottage’s price well above asking.

With cottages forecasted to remain a hot commodity this year, according to Royal LePage’s 2022 Recreational Property Report, inventory across the country is expected to remain low, driving up the average price of a Canadian cottage by 13 per cent to $640,710.

“What we are seeing in this market is, generally speaking, fewer buyers are competing for the same property, but those buyers are highly qualified, very serious, and highly motivated,” explained Susan Benson, a real estate broker in Muskoka. “In almost all cases, they have lost out in a previous competing situation. So, by the time they get to one that they really want, they’re invested.”

To make themselves more appealing to sellers, many buyers are presenting firm offers, forgoing property research to close the deal fast and eschewing conditions, such as a home inspection. The issue with skipping these steps is that you could end up paying over asking price only to discover major problems with the property that will cost you extra.

No matter how badly you want a cottage, there are certain steps you shouldn’t compromise on. Here’s everything you need to do, to avoid falling victim to a bad real estate deal in a hot market.

Work with a local realtor

It may seem wise to save some cash by handling real estate negotiations yourself, but without a realtor there is a lot you can miss. “They will surround you with a team of experts and resources that can help guide you through what is a really challenging time [in the cottage market],” Benson says.

In particular, you want to partner with a local realtor, someone who knows what’s available in the area and can help you find the type of cottage you want. Knowledge of the area’s geography and nearby services makes a local realtor better equipped to brief you on any foreseeable issues with the property, whether the property’s overpriced, and whether it’s worth engaging in a bidding war.

Use a home inspector

The last thing you want is to purchase a cottage only to find out it has a cracked foundation, a rotting boathouse, or a long list of other problems that could require further investment. The best way to avoid any surprise renovations, Benson says, is to hire a home inspector.

“We’ll have a home inspector look online at the listing pictures just to see if there are any obvious red flags,” Benson says. “If our buyers really like the place, and we’ve gone to see it, we will try to arrange a second showing for the home inspector.”

The issue with this is that COVID has affected showing times. Previously, potential buyers routinely had an hour to look over the property, but in many cases, this viewing window has been shortened to 30 minutes.

“That’s a real challenge,” Benson says. “But [a home inspector] has a critical eye that can pick up on unanticipated maintenance costs, such as a boathouse and docks, to get a sense of the condition they’re in, and the condition of the crib or structural supports. If something’s wrong, that can be a really expensive unanticipated cost.”

Speak to neighbours

As a realtor, Benson says she often speaks with cottage neighbours on behalf of the buyer. “Now that we’re two years into COVID, there are many, many more people actually living full time in cottage country. So, it’s usually very easy to find a neighbour, and they’ll give you all kinds of insights.”

By speaking with neighbours, not only will you get a sense of what the area has to offer, but you’ll also get a better idea of who you’ll be residing next to. There’s always a chance that the neighbouring property could be a cottage rental known for hosting large, rowdy groups.

Research the property

Your prospective cottage may look great during the summer, but without proper research you could have no idea that it sits in a floodplain. Or, if buying during the winter, you may be won over by the four-season access, but what happens when the ice melts and you’re left with a weedy shoreline.

Neighbours can help provide this information, but Benson also suggests looking at a topographical map of the area to see if flooding could be an issue. While you’re at it, you should also research the property’s zoning information.

“You might think your cottage is in the middle of nowhere, but in fact, you’re near a proposed or approved development, particularly in proximity to places that are zoned under a resort zoning, or in proximity to a marina,” Benson says. “You want to make sure it’s the right location.”

Having a solid grasp of the property’s zoning will let you know whether you’re allowed to rebuild, renovate, or add any new structures. It’ll also avoid any nasty surprises, such as having to purchase the cottage’s shoreline or road access from the municipality.

Should you purchase the shoreline road allowance when you buy a waterfront property?

Choose a reliable mortgage broker

Similar to your realtor, a good mortgage broker should know the cottage market. That way, they can help you pick a financing plan that fits both you and your property’s needs.

“What you don’t want is to pay a premium price for a property and then have after-the-fact money problems that turn what was supposed to be a dream into an absolute nightmare,” Benson says.

This is particularly true for foreign buyers or anyone looking to use the cottage as a rental, she adds. “You really have to understand the tax implications of that.”

When choosing a mortgage broker, Benson says you need to make sure their focus is on you as a client. “What I would say about a really good broker is that they’re very responsive to questions and are willing to take the time to educate a buyer about the implications of what they may be borrowing…and are willing to look at options beyond a very specific portfolio of lending options. The broader the better.”

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Cottage Life

Try and spot Bessie—Lake Erie’s sea monster—from these cottage rentals

Lake Erie may only be the fourth largest out of the five Great Lakes, but that certainly doesn’t diminish how impressive it is. Bordered by both Canada and the U.S., Lake Erie is approximately 388 kilometres long and reaches a depth of 64 metres. The lake is even rumoured to have its own sea monster, Bessie—Loch Ness’ Canadian cousin.

If monster hunting isn’t your thing, the Lake Erie area offers a long list of other activities and attractions, including provincial parksTurkey Point Provincial Park even has its own golf course—wineries, beaches, and tons of ways to get out on the water. If you are planning a trip to the Lake Erie area, here are some cottage rentals close to the action.

Looking for other types of cottage rentals? Book one today on our rental hub powered by VRBO.

The open concept design and generous windows of this Port Dover cottage let you start your day with a stunning view of Lake Erie. Spend your afternoon playing miniature golf at the nearby Arbortown Miniature Golf Course or taking in a show at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre.

Location: Port Dover, Ont.

Price: Averages $382 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Waterfront property
  • No pets allowed
  • Laundry on site
  • BBQ included
  • Gas fire pit available for use

Click here to book


 

A tiki bar with a view of Lake Erie, what more could you ask for? Head down to the property’s private beach and take the kayak for a spin, or tour along the waterfront with provided bicycles.

Location: Lowbanks, Ont.

Price: Averages $250 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Private beach
  • Tiki bar with fridge, juicer, and margarita maker
  • BBQ included
  • Internet included
  • Kayak and paddleboard available for use
  • Bicycles available for use

Click here to book


 

This Dunnville cottage includes its own private beach on Lake Erie and a deck that you can fish from. When night comes, settle in around the outdoor fire pit and watch the stars.

Location: Dunnville, Ont.

Price: Averages $204 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Waterfront property
  • Private beach
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • BBQ included
  • Laundry on site
  • Internet included
  • Pets welcome

Click here to book


 

Part of the Long Point Beach Resort, this cottage rental has access to a number of shared amenities, including an outdoor fire pit, BBQ, and a rooftop patio that overlooks Lake Erie. Or cross the road and head down to the resort’s private beach.

Location: Long Point, Ont.

Price: Averages $267 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 2

Notes:

  • Waterfront access
  • Private beach
  • Shared BBQ
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet included
  • Wheelchair accessible

Click here to book


 

Perched on a hill top overlooking Little Beach, this Port Stanley cottage rental comes with its own outdoor hot tub where you can unwind after a long day exploring. If you’re looking for stuff to do during the day, hop on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail, a heritage railway that takes tourists between Port Stanley and St. Thomas.

Location: Port Stanley, Ont.

Price: Averages $225 per night

Sleeps: 2

Bedrooms: 1

Notes:

  • Water access
  • BBQ included
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Hot tub available for use
  • No refund cancellation policy
  • No children under 12

Click here to book


 

Categories
Cottage Life

Cottage real estate region: Ghost Lake

At the edge of the Rocky Mountain Foothills, the glacier-fed Ghost Lake reservoir, on Hwy. 1A, about a 50-minute drive northwest of Calgary, is an all-season attraction. Brisk winds funnel up the Bow Valley, fuelling summer windsurfing and winter ice sailing, and anglers catch whitefish and trout year round. Ghost Lake has some of the province’s best ice sailing with an active club that was founded in the 1950s. Boats can zip along at 90 km/h when winds are strong.

A hydroelectric dam built below the confluence of the Bow and Ghost Rivers created the man-made lake in 1929. TransAlta, the power company, owns the immediate lakeshore, which it leases to the cottage community; there is no public access. The Summer Village of Ghost Lake sits midway along the 12 km lake’s north shore. CottageClub, a gated resort community, has sprouted up at the lake’s east end. For 40 years, the summer village has hosted an August long weekend regatta with sailing and canoeing races, an obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, a talent show, a barbecue, and more.

The Ghost Lake marina has 50 powerboat slips and mooring for 50 sailboats. In the village, there’s a six-hole golf course and a tennis court. The CottageClub recreation centre has an indoor pool and an outdoor hot tub. Beyond what’s available in the local convenience store, residents and cottagers go to Cochrane, 23 km east. There are deer and elk in the area, geese and swans migrate through in spring, and cougar sightings are not uncommon.

 

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Cottage Life

2022 real estate update: how COVID has shifted the market, possibly forever

When Richard and Heather Jones and their two children, Hadley, 7, and Dylan, 5, moved away from the city last spring to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., they imagined that finding a nearby cottage in a rural market would be easy. The young family had some leftover cash from the sale of their home in Holland Landing, north of Toronto, after purchasing a permanent residence in Northern Ontario. “If we were still in the GTA, there’s no way we could have a house and a cottage,” Richard says. “But up here, it’s within our means.”

However, after a summer-long search, Richard wonders if they’ll ever find a place. Northern Ontario was once the empty space on the backside of a provincial highways map, where small towns are separated by vast distances and connected by minimal infrastructure. Now, it exemplifies a real estate phenomenon playing out across Canada: the boonies no longer exist. 

Of course, parts of Canada have always attracted seasonal residents from far away. In B.C., for example, the Okanagan Valley has always been an Alberta stronghold. Other areas (such as Northern Ontario, including Lake of the Woods, Temagami, and St. Joseph Island) are American hotbeds. But for the most part, well-established cottage areas (and traditionally the most competitive and lucrative real estate markets) are situated close to metropolitan areas. 

There’s plenty of evidence to indicate that COVID-19 is spurring people to exit urban centres in droves. (Statistics Canada shows about 90,000 people settled in non-metropolitan areas between 2016 and 2020.) At the same time, the pandemic normalized working from home, and rapidly improving internet access has broadened career options in remote locations—though it remains to be seen how things will readjust as more offices reopen. As with the Joneses, people are relocating to smaller cities with enough cash to buy houses and nearby cottages; others are buying rural waterfront properties to use as year-round homes. Both of these factors have increased the pressure on once-sleepy real estate markets, compounding an irony of rural Canada that’s challenging the resolve of prospective cottage owners: for all the space, there’s not nearly enough cottage property to go around. 

Supply and demand

Supply shortages have always dictated a competitive cottage real estate market. “The main difference in the past two years,” says Dallas Glawson, a Century 21 realtor with 20 years of experience around Sault Ste. Marie, “is a massive spike in demand.” Glawson estimates that demand in his area jumped five-fold in the summer of 2020. Interest was higher still in 2021; prospective buyers are now competing in a market with 10 times the demand. Bare-bones places with “no septic, no toilets, more off-grid situations that used to sell for $119,000 or $129,000,” Glawson says, “are now going for $250,000.” That might sound like a steal in other markets, but that well exceeds the median price of a house in Sault Ste. Marie, which, before the pandemic, was a relatively paltry $175,000. The median jumped to nearly $300,000 in September 2021—a trend that parallels real estate prices across Canada in the past two years, where the cost of single-family homes have increased by nearly 40 per cent. The largest increase occurred in Bancroft, Ont., where prices surged by almost 92 per cent. 

Glawson says that 80 per cent of his customers are new to the region, coming primarily from Toronto and southwestern Ontario, split equally between those moving permanently and others looking for a seasonal residence. That parallels trends on Manitoulin Island, where prices for waterfront cottages jumped from about $250,000 in 2017 to nearly $500,000 last year. Jordan Chandler, broker of record with Remax The Island Real Estate Brokerage in Little Current, Ont., says he predicted changes were coming—“Muskoka is filling up, and we’re the next place on the map”—but he never imagined it happening so fast. A place like Manitoulin offers great value compared to Muskoka, where the median price for waterfront real estate is more than $1 million. “It’s easy for someone from down south with more equity to come up here and pay 20 per cent more [than the listing price],” says Chandler. “People are discovering what we have up here, and they have the assets to pay for it with no need for a mortgage. That’s driving the market in an upward spiral.”

Chandler’s Manitoulin waterfront buyers always ask the same first question: how’s the internet? “They’re looking to move from the city to a rural area where they can work from home,” he explains. Some go all-in, selling their homes in places like Toronto and buying year-round waterfront property, often coming out with cash leftover; others are looking for a place with fast and reliable internet to conduct their business for significant portions of the year while retaining a home in the city. Toronto 

residents Scott Graham and his wife, Meagan Filion, for example, recently purchased a waterfront lot on Lac Saint-Sixte, north of Gatineau, Que., with plans of building a cottage this year. The fact that Meagan, an RBC executive, may have the option of working from the cottage—even after her office reopens—made the six-hour drive seem more reasonable. “We can go up there on a Wednesday, and she can work Thursday and Friday,” says Scott. “Being able to stay longer diminishes the distance.”


These days, it’s hard to find a good deal on cottage property anywhere. For decades, the sprawling hills and gem-like lakes of western Quebec’s Outaouais region, where Scott and Meagan purchased last fall, were overlooked as a cottage destination despite its proximity to Ottawa. “Driving an hour and 15 minutes to the cottage used to be a long drive,” says John Macintyre, a veteran Century 21 realtor based in Chelsea, Que. As a result, it was possible to find a decent cottage for $250,000. But the radius of Macintyre’s sales from the nation’s capital were expanding before the pandemic hit because of a scarcity of listings. And, prices have rapidly increased over the last 24 months by 30 per cent or more “and no one’s blinked,” Macintyre says. Popular spots include the Quebec areas of La Pêche and Val-des-Monts, locations where, as with the Sault Ste. Marie area, competition is stiffened by both seasonal buyers and those looking for year-round waterfront homes. Scott and Meagan paid $450,000 for a four-acre property that sold for well under $300,000 in 2020. “Next thing you know, you’ve got knife fights and bidding wars,” says Macintyre, half-jokingly. “Even places back in the nosebleeds”—seasonal access lakes more than two hours from Ottawa and Gatineau—“are selling in a matter of moments.”

The nearest faraway place

I’ve had a front-row seat to a couple who moved north in the nick of time: my sister, Caitlin Mihell, and her partner, Ramin Emad, escaped their townhouse in Toronto and relocated to Sault Ste. Marie shortly after the pandemic was declared. They assumed the move to Caitlin’s hometown would be temporary, and they came with few plans other than renting a house in a quiet and familiar place and waiting things out while their Toronto-based film talent agency was shut down. “I worked from home in Toronto for seven years,” Ramin says. “With the pandemic, it became obvious that I could work from somewhere even more remote, in a place where I could enjoy a great view from my desk.” Plus, he embraced the Soo’s casual atmosphere and closer proximity to Caitlin’s family. 

They purchased a waterfront lot on the St. Marys River at Lake Superior’s eastern terminus in May 2020 and started building a four-season home in October. Caitlin has fond memories of growing up swimming, sailing, and canoeing at our grandparents’ cottage barely a kilometre away. For Ramin, who emigrated to Canada from Iran as a teenager, the golden sand beach and crystalline water was a paradise he never imagined. “For 25 years, I didn’t get a proper Canadian experience until I came up here,” he says. “I love the sunsets, the wildlife, and the clean air.

On the coast

Cottage property is just as hot on the West Coast, says Jason Zroback of Land Quest Realty in New Westminster, B.C. “It’s probably the busiest market we’ve ever had for water-access,” he says, identifying the Sunshine Coast and Powell River, ferry-access regions both located on the mainland north of Vancouver, as hot spots for cottage buyers and full-time buyers alike. “That’s an indication of the shortage of road-accessible recreational properties in the province. People are willing to leave Vancouver, ride two ferries, and take a water taxi to their property.” 

Such a complicated commute would cost about $500 per trip. But that’s nothing for Western cottagers, adds Zroback, who cites the not-so-unusual example of people getting to their island cottages by float plane. However, Zroback is shocked at how the boundaries of what’s normal are expanding. “Years ago, it was two hours from the [Lower Mainland],” he says. “That’s pretty darn near impossible now. It’s four hours, six hours, eight hours. People are going anywhere.”

As always, price and access are directly linked. “Whereas $500,000 gets you a waterfront lot in the Southern Gulf,” Zroback notes, “the same will get you a private island with a totally improved [cottage] in Bella Coola” on B.C.’s remote central coast, a long ferry ride north of Vancouver Island. Demand is increasing even in areas that take upwards of 24 hours of driving and ferry time to access because “people don’t have to be at a certain place for a certain amount of time,” says Zroback. “There’s so much more flexibility now, and that’s changed the market, probably forever.”

A new normal?

Failing a recession, patience likely won’t get you a better deal on a cottage these days. Realtors agree that higher waterfront prices are here to stay. 

A bigger question for Macintyre in the Outaouais region—and one that could rebalance cottage real estate prices in more remote markets—is the staying power of the new generation of back-to-the-landers. Macintyre chuckles at some of the cottagers he’s seen over the years who have moved to the lake year-round. “They put on a brave face for the first winter,” he says. But after the second, “they realize that it gets dark at 4 p.m., and the winters are long.” 

Ramin says a place like Sault Ste. Marie is a happy medium. His new home is located within a five-minute drive from the Sault Ste. Marie Airport and 25 minutes from the services of a mid-sized city. A flight to Toronto costs about $200 and takes less than an hour, making it easy for him to travel for work and to host friends from out of town. Scott and Meagan discovered a similar benefit on Lac Saint-Sixte, which is located about an hour from the Ottawa airport and two hours from the Montreal airport. “It’s actually far closer to metropolitan areas than Muskoka or the Kawarthas,” Scott says. “That’s great if family want to fly in. Yet it feels like we’re far away.”

Meanwhile, after a summer of keeping tabs on real estate, the Joneses found a four-season, three-bedroom cottage on St. Joseph Island, 58 minutes from their home in Sault Ste. Marie. They put in a bid, which was exceeded handily by the eventual buyer’s offer of $475,000—a full $100,000 over the list price. “It’s a deflating feeling,” Richard says. “We lost out on a really great place to someone who could bid more.” 

Soon after, the family spent an autumn weekend at the provincial park campground at Agawa Bay on Lake Superior. Besides sampling the region at friends’ cottages, Richard and his family spent lots of time discovering public beaches on Lake Superior, hiking, and tent camping. The stunning fall colours and rugged landscape triggered another revelation Richard says he could’ve never imagined having when he lived in Toronto: with so much access to the outdoors close by, his family might not need a cottage at all. 

The Joneses aren’t giving up their search, but perhaps their sense of urgency has diminished. “We always knew it’s a different atmosphere up here,” he says. “Maybe we don’t want to be tied down to a single place. Maybe we’ll buy a boat and a travel trailer and get to experience more places. There’s so much space up here, it’s what drove us north.”

Conor Mihell was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. He was ahead of the trend moving back in 2009 after stints in southern Ontario and B.C.’s Lower Mainland.

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Cottage Life

Cottage Q&A: Spring 2022 cottage real estate prices

What will 2022 look like in terms of Ontario cottage prices? —Todd R. Mcrae, Toronto

We assume that you’ve already consulted the Psychic Hotline, with dismal results. “Let me first shine off my crystal ball,” says Shawn Woof, the senior vice-president of sales and a sales representative with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Port Carling, Ont. What does he see? The trend that began once the pandemic ramped up is set to continue: a high demand coupled with a low inventory means that “it’s likely going to be a seller’s market,” says Woof. 

“With the arrival of COVID-19, cottage country hit the radar of people looking to get out of Dodge,” says Chris Winney, a realtor with Royal LePage Realty in Northbrook, Ont. “Suddenly, a property listed on the high side of normal was likely to be involved in a bidding war and might sell for 250K over asking.”

What with the multiple waves of COVID that followed (was it four waves? 17 waves?), even now, “people are still less likely to sell,” says Woof. “Every case is different, but it appears that those who are holding on to the cottage far outweigh those who are cashing out.” 

If you’re asking because you want to sell your place soon, high five! You can expect to get more than the listing price (within reason). But if you’re a prospective cottager hoping to buy this year, “you’ll have to be open to broadening the scope of what you’re looking for,” says Woof. You’re not going to find any deals, and you’ll need to treat the listing price as the starting price.

Still, you can’t win if you don’t try. Start the search early in the spring, says Winney. “Have your financing arranged before you begin, use a local realtor, and bring along a structural expert when you go to a showing.”

Cottage prices aren’t likely to drop any time soon. But they’re also not likely to skyrocket to infinity. Winney predicts that demand will become more moderate eventually. “So the ‘new normal’ will still be high prices, but they will plateau.”

This article originally ran in the March/April 2022 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

Got a question for Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.

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Cottage Life

How to share a rental cottage (while keeping the peace)

Splitting a rental cottage with a big group is a great way to keep costs down. But a dozen friends or family members in close proximity can create some challenges. 

The key is communication and planning, says Samantha Aguirre, who has split a cottage with friends every summer for the past eight years. She shares a few tips to keep things running smoothly so your group can have a memorable cottage getaway.

1. Communicate before the trip

The first step should be discussing everybody’s expectations. While you may be content to lay in a hammock for a week, others might have a long list of must-haves. To make all this communication simpler, create a text chain or group chat to help coordinate the trip. “We have a group chat on Instagram,” Aguirre says. “We confirm everything there so everyone’s on the same page.”

2. Nominate one person to take charge

It can be helpful for one person to take the lead, Aguirre says. “I tend to be the organizer. We found through the first couple years of cottaging together that it’s just easier to have one person who takes charge.” It’s also better for your host if they have one person as a point of contact for the rest of the group.

But the organizer doesn’t need to do the entirety of the work. Ask people to volunteer to manage different parts of the trip, such as driving, navigating day trips, or bringing games and movies to the cottage. 

3. How to split the costs

As the group’s organizer, Aguirre pays the full price and then collects the split from each member of the group. It’s typically a simple formula, though she admits it’s trickier when people visit for the weekend, for example, rather than the full week. 

There are a few ways you can divide the costs of a rental cottage. It can be split by person, by room, or proportionally, per person per night. If this sounds like too much math for a vacation, you can use an app like Splitwise to help keep track of shared expenses. You’ll also need to consider what happens if someone drops out and whether they’re still responsible for any costs. 

4. Master cottage meal planning

Meal planning can be simple if you plan ahead and stick to the basics. Aguirre asks everybody to bring their own snacks, but otherwise, she buys the majority of the meals and then splits the costs. She even does some prepping before the trip. “It just makes life easier. We just pull things out of the freezer, let it defrost and cook it.” Alternatively, if you’re sharing the cottage across multiple families, each family can be responsible for one day or one meal, from the prep to the cleanup.

5. Determine sleeping arrangements ahead of time

Not all beds are created equal. Rather than first come, first serve, try to allocate rooms during the planning stage to avoid any squabbles. But Aguirre says her group has never had any disputes over sleeping arrangements. “The single guys crash on the bunk beds, the couples take a room with a double bed, and the odd straggler who’s up the latest takes the couch,” she says. “Sometimes we try to get the drivers a good bed if they’re doing a lot of driving for a day trip.” 

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Cottage Life

Watch Grand Bend’s world famous sunsets from these cottage rentals

National Geographic once said that Grand Bend, Ont. has one of the most stunning sunsets in the world, but that’s not all it has to offer. Located on the southern shores of Lake Huron, it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Toronto.

Whether you’re looking to swim, parasail, wakeboard, or just relax in the sand, Grand Bend has one of the best beaches in the country. In fact, Grand Bend’s main beach is one of only 23 beaches in Canada to have earned Blue Flag status, an international certification given to beaches that meet environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards.

If water isn’t your thing, hike through Pinery Provincial Park, hit up Sand Hills Golf Club for a round of 18, window shop in nearby galleries and boutiques, or give skydiving a try. There’s something for everyone.

Located in the gated community of Beach O’ Pines, this three-bedroom, Grand Bend cottage is nestled right next to the trails of Pinery Provincial Park and is only a two-minute walk to a private, white sand beach.

Location: Beach O’ Pines, Ont.

Price: Averages $255 per night

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Minutes from private beach
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet included
  • Gas barbecue
  • Well-behaved dogs welcome

Click here to book


 

This four-season cottage is 300 metres from Grand Bend Beach and is close to local shops and restaurants on the town’s main street.

Location: Grand Bend, Ont.

Price: Averages $330 per night

Sleeps: 8

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Minutes from Lake Huron beaches
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet included
  • No pets or parties

Click here to book


 

A nautical-themed beach house, this property is newly renovated with a large kitchen space and a wrap-around deck where you can dine al fresco.

Location: Grand Bend, Ont.

Price: Averages $335 per night

Sleeps: 7

Bedrooms: 3

Notes:

  • Minutes from Lake Huron beaches
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet included
  • Parking pass provided

Click here to book


 

Surrounded by Carolinian forest, this Grand Bend cottage’s cedar walls give it a lodge-like feel. Grand Bend Beach is only a three-minute walk away, and it’s a quick drive to nearby attractions, such as Dark Horse Estate Winery and the Huron County Playhouse.

Location: Southcott Pines, Ont.

Price: Averages $400 per night

Sleeps: 10 (8 adults + 2 kids)

Bedrooms: 5

Notes:

  • Minutes from a private beach
  • Sauna available
  • No kids
  • No fire pit
  • Bring your own linens, towels, and blankets

Click here to book


 

Offering a scenic forest view, this oak-tree-surrounded cottage is located on the edge of Pinery Provincial Park, and is a two-minute walk to the Old Ausable River Channel and 15 minutes to a private beach.

Location: Grand Bend, Ont.

Price: Averages $491 per night

Sleeps: 8

Bedrooms: 4

Notes:

  • 15-minute walk to the beach
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Internet included
  • Mountain bikes available for use
  • Arcade games

Click here to book


 

Located in a gated community, this cottage comes with a private garden, an outdoor shower, and a playset for kids. The property is a short walk from the shops and restaurants of downtown Grand Bend, as well as the sandy beaches of Lake Huron.

Location: Grand Bend, Ont.

Price: Averages $872 per night

Sleeps: 12

Bedrooms: 6

Notes:

  • Minutes from Lake Huron beaches
  • Internet included
  • Foosball table
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Barbecue available

Click here to book


 

Surrounded by the forest that borders Pinery Provincial Park, this cottage offers is a private getaway. Plus, the beach is a short walk away. Take advantage of the towels and beach chairs provided by the host, and transport them in your own beach wagon.

Location: Grand Bend, Ont.

Price: Averages $437 per night

Sleeps: 10

Bedrooms: 4

Notes:

  • Steps from Lake Huron beaches
  • Internet included
  • A/C
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Canoe and kayak available for use
  • Bicycles included
  • Pool table

Click here to book