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Investing in Canadian Real Estate~Waterfront and Recreational Property.

By
Industry Observer

Canada, big, beautiful and looking good with a great future for investors, both personal and business.
Of the G8 countries, Canada boasts not only some of the most attractive, desirable real estate, it can also still be purchased at a VERY reasonable dollar and in many areas, well within the reach of the small investor.

Cast across this vast country are a myriad of the world's last vestiges of clear, clean, freshwater lakes and rivers. Vacation and recreational homes can be found in every province with water-frontage selling for an average price of $380,000.00 in 2006. That figure has steadily risen in the past year.

With a strong, healthy economy and an abundance of in-demand commodities, forecasts into the next 2-3 years show Canada's real estate prices continuing to rise.
Waterfront cottages and vacation homes are showing the strongest and steadiest rise in price as buyers and investors from around the globe flock to Canadian shores in search of their own little piece of paradise.

With thousands of pristine, blue lakes dotting the landscape, Ontario is prime Canadian cottage country and waterfront properties are disappearing at break-neck speed.
Tightening of municipal reins on the severing of waterfront lots, has pumped up the demand for waterfront to a feverish pitch as buyers anxiously watch for a waterfront lot to build their dream cottage/vacation home on.

 Added to the fever is the fact that we are becoming more and more a planet of citizens who work from home.

As people shift their offices from the downtown core to their primary place of residence, they are moving out of the city in droves and buying a waterfront home or a cottage that they can live in from spring til fall when they head south before winter hits.

Others are purchasing recreational homes and turning them into year-round residences complete with high-speed internet service via satellite.

The majority of my family members balance their time between their lakefront properties and their homes in the centre of a city or town and this has been a traditional lifestyle for a very large number of Canadians.

With prices rising as they are, and waterfront becoming scarcer, more investors than ever before, from around the globe, are seeking recreational property in Ontario.

In addition, it's a dream of many Ontario families to own a recreational property for summer use and many are now realizing that dream as they take on second jobs, or move into  smaller primary residences in order to purchase their 'home-away-from-home'.
The eastern townships of Ontario still have many opportunities for recreational property ownership at a reasonable cost, well within the reach of the average family/investor in Ontario.

If you are an investor or someone who is considering purchasing your own waterfront utopia, the Royal Lepage Recrational Property Report for 2007 is an excellent place to start as you consider the locations that fall within your desires and means.

As a lifelong resident of Ontario, I have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to Ontario cottage country and welcome any inquiries you may have as you begin your search.



There are many legalities and issues to be aware of when purchasing a waterfront property and choosing a REALTOR® who is experienced and knowledgeable in the purchase and sale of waterfront homes and land, is paramount.

Staying abreast of the properties that become available as we head into spring, will grant you a better chance of making a wise investment choice when it comes to buying waterfront in Ontario. If you would like to kept aware of the waterfront properties that meet your desires and means as they become available, feel free to contact me.


I will arrange to have all new listings emailed, faxed or mailed to you as they appear on the market. This just may be the year that you find your own shangri la away from the hustle and bustle of the city or make a very wise investment choice that will bring great dividends in years to come.

©2008JoSmith




Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty, Brokerage, in Belleville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.QuinteRegionRealEstate.com

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Comments (16)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Jo, Canada has always sounded just beautiful, unfortunately I haven't been there since I was very young.  It does sound like a wonderful place to live and I always love the pictures you show of the lovely lakes and views.  It brings to mind your post 'At What Price a Waterfall" because I didn't know if you could put a price on that.  I would love to look into your beautiful area one day.
Jan 25, 2008 05:21 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Jo,

Very alluring I must admit! Nice post! We're experiencing Canadian winter weather down here...temps in the single digits!!! Thanks,   Fran

Jan 25, 2008 05:36 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Jo

I just love the idea of owning another vacation home one day. Are there a lot of owners from the US buying cottages in your area

Thanks

Tom

Jan 25, 2008 05:59 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results
Jo-Anne - As always you draw your reader into the story - I see myself sitting on thoes chairs
Jan 25, 2008 07:49 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Carole,  Thanks for visiting this post. Although I may be biased, I have to say that I've never been to a more beautiful place in the spring to fall months than a peaceful cottage on an Ontario lakeshore.

My fondest memories are of times I've spent watching loons, having shore lunches, lounging on sandy beaches, crunching pine needles beneath by bare feet and floating calmly along a lake with a fishing line cast.  Yes, it's very beautiful here.....in the area where I was born, we call it 'God's country', and for very good reason. I'm sure you would absolutely love it.

Hopefully one day you'll be able to visit...I'll show you some of our beautiful province!!

Jo 

Jan 25, 2008 08:53 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Fran, I think our weather is about on par with yours in most winters.  Where I live, it is a little warmer due to the lake effect, near the great lakes.
I'm further south, on the latitudinal scale, than a great many of the states in the USA.

Thanks for you nice comment!

((-:

Jo 

Jan 25, 2008 08:55 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Hi Tom,

Yes, there are a great many Americans who own property in Ontario and more and more every year are coming here to buy their own piece of heaven.

I have hundreds of visits every week to my blog from Americans who are searching for land and cottages in Ontario. It's picked up even more in recent months.

Let me know when you want to go and look!

((-:

Jo 

Jan 25, 2008 09:03 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for visiting this post!
I can picture myself sitting on one of those chairs next to you, right about now.
Especially after just arriving home and out of that bitter cold winter wind.

(-:

Jo 

Jan 25, 2008 09:19 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
Just reading about it helps me believe the winter will fade soon....won't it?
Jan 25, 2008 12:36 PM
Joanne Hanson
Coldwell Banker Colorado Rockies Real Estate - Frisco, CO
Summit County, Colorado Realtor
Hi Jo, thanks for joining our group and adding your wonderful posts to it.  I had no idea you had a second home market there, so it is really nice to know.  A wonderful localism post!
Jan 25, 2008 02:29 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Joan,

I have a feeling we're in for an early spring....let's savour the remaining few months of winter because we don't want spring to come too fast. If it comes too fast, it will be gone quickly too!

Spring is my favourite time of year...

Thanks for reading and commenting on this blog,

Jo 

Jan 26, 2008 12:54 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Joanne,

I'm really enjoying being a member in your seond home group and look forward to contributing many more posts.

Our vacation homes here aren't ski chalets, however they're beautiful places to get away to in the spring summer and fall as they're on the water. Many families use their lakeside cottages all winter too ....they go skating, snowmobiling and ice-fishing as well as cross-country skiing.

Thanks for your nice comment and for visiting this post,

Jo 

Jan 26, 2008 12:57 AM
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~
Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT
Jo~I found myself lost in the comfort of Canada just reading this.  Oh so comforting and with your knowledge of your beautiful country you will without doubt provide exceptional service to buyers seeking Canadian properties. Enjoy your weekend my friend! 
Jan 26, 2008 01:13 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Hi Julie,

I think you would really love Ontario.  Lots of forests, rolling hills and small mountains, clear lakes, sandy beaches rocky cliffs and out crops....perhaps some day you'll visit!

Thank you for your lovely comment,

((-:

Jo 

Jan 26, 2008 07:38 AM
Marg Scheben
RE/MAX four seasons realty limited - Collingwood, ON
Edey - Collingwood, Ontario
Living in a waterfront community in Ontario myself, I totally relate to what you are saying.  It is indeed a strong segment of the market as boomers both buy secondary homes or, retire into their dream paradise.  You and I need to visit each other one day.
Jan 26, 2008 08:41 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Marg,

I love the area you live in...it's so beautiful, during all of the seasons.  My Grandfather's family hailed from the Bruce Peninsula and I haven't been back in that area for a number of years. That whole region around Georgian Bay and Lake Huron has such a vacation and warm feeling to it....

Perhaps this summer we'll have the opportunity to get together for a visit!

Thanks for stopping by this post,

Jo 

Jan 26, 2008 07:55 PM