Real Estate Market In Muskoka

When selling both residential homes and cottages in Muskoka, people often ask us about the Real Estate market: What are waterfront properties prices doing? How strong is the housing market in Gravenhurst? Well sometimes we have to look at the big picture.  Statistics  for the first  Quarter Home sales  for  the area served by the Muskoka & Haliburton Association of REALTORS®  are  above year-ago  for a third consecutive quarter in the first quarter of 2012! http://creastats.crea.ca/musk/mls_stats.htm  Home sales numbered 247 units in the first quarter of 2012, up five per cent from one year earlier. Apart from commercial properties, there are two main markets residential and recreational properties.  Sales in both markets were up from year-ago. Residential sales increased by 7 percent, while recreational cottage sales were up 14 percent. There seems to be a flurry of movement now on the residential front. It should be interesting to see the stats at the end of May. There are new listings of homes coming on the market as well as an increase in buying activity.

Regarding Cottage  properties , entry level is  begin around  $300K  on smaller lakes or rivers and go up to multiple millions on the  big  lakes  in Muskoka . While Waterfront unit sales are up in most areas of Muskoka, it’s still early, however I anticipate this trend to continue.  With continued low interest rate and some steady growth in the economy without a world economic crisis, home ownership should remain a good investment!

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TerrySellsMuskoka.com

Enjoy your outside living space!

Another great weekend in Muskoka! Between showing cottages and homes, I started watching this show on TV called DECKED OUT. http://www.hgtv.ca/deckedout/ This is sort of nice because it covers a lot of elaborate designs and nifty ideas, including hardscaping and landscaping. The addition of an outdoor kitchen and or an improved living are can also increase the value of your home or cottage.

I have watched many of the shows from time to time on renovating, flip this house etc. but this kind of caught my eye because hey, it’s the May 24 weekend and people are either enjoying their decks and patios or they are thinking of upgrading or improving. So I thought about my cottage friends and thought I would write a few words about the subject.

You can build your own deck if you enjoy that type of thing or come up with a concept and ask for quotes from a couple of reliable contractors. There is a wealth of information on the internet even design programs. Often your local building centre will be able to assist you as well with their qualified staff. They can also help you with a budget.

If you are building your own You must have a design plan that meets building code requirements in your area and be inspected to make sure it has been built to that code. You should always check with your local municipally before you get stated as to what you are allowed to do. Firstly you will require a building permit as well you don’t want to spend a lot of time planning and designing only to find you can meet the setback requirements from your lot line or in the case of waterfront properties there may be a lot coverage factor that you have to adhere to.

It’s always great to dream and plan even if it’s a year off, so get out there and enjoy the weekend. Look around for the potential. I’m heading back outside!

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TerrySellsMuskoka.com

Stop Traffic

Listings in your Area may already be budding like spring flowers. If you’ll be selling too, consider curb-appeal boosting home – improvement projects that’ll help stop buyers in their tracks!

Ø  New garage doors. Certain garage doors constitute a large portion of a house’s façade and so the doors are one of the firsts things buyers notice. Whatever style you choose, make sure the doors complement the architecture of your house – Carriage-house style doors have become quite trendy, though they might look out of place on more modern homes.                     

Ø  A driveway makeover. Like your garage doors, your driveway is often one of the first things that catch buyer’s eyes. Whether you simply reseal your asphalt or opt for a different paving material altogether - Brick, cobblestone, flagstone, gravel or paving stones – a new driveway can make a huge impact

Ø  A new Walkway. Your walkway leads buyer’s feet – and eyes right up to your door! If your current walkway is straight consider replacing it with one that is curved, for a more aesthetic appeal, and think about replacing the concrete with brick, stone or slate. To finish incorporate plantings and solar powered walkway light.

Ø  Landscaping. Buyers make assumptions about the state of your home or cottage based on the state of you landscaping. So, if the landscaping looks like it has been neglected, or it just lacks that ‘wow” factor, consider hiring a landscape designer. A landscaper can plan a design that turns heads, and he or she can implement it for you too – or you can do some or all of the work yourself, saving you a few dollars.

 

Remember you only have one chance to make a first impression!