Recently on our blog, we covered strategic renovations that can improve your Toronto home sale. While cottages share many similarities with homes, there are several key distinctions pertaining to real estate. 

Where to Start When Selling Your Cottage 

Like selling a home, selling your cottage requires working with an experienced Realtor®. That being said, not all real estate professionals will have the same knowledge of cottages and the specialized markets they're bought and sold in. Therefore, you'll want to be diligent in finding the best possible professional for your sale.

From a real estate perspective, cottages in Ontario are highly unique. Not only do cottage properties differ greatly from traditional homes, but the market trends they follow can change at a hyper-local level based on the region or municipality.

In order to maximize your chances of a successful sale, you will want to work with a Realtor® who has tangible experience selling cottages in your area. 

Cottage Evaluations at a Glance

Determining whether or not your cottage may benefit from pre-market renovations begins with an in-depth evaluation of the property. 

During the evaluation stage, your Realtor® will consider the cottage itself, the surrounding property, and up-to-date buyer trends in the area. They’ll also factor in any laws or regulations that could restrict your ability to make modifications to the property. 

For instance, riparian rights, which determine a cottage owner’s ability to make additions or changes to the waterfront - such as building a dock, can vary dramatically depending on local laws. If you install an illegal dock thinking it will attract higher offers from buyers, you could waste upfront capital and even find yourself in hot water. 

Want to know what your cottage or vacation home is worth in today’s market? You can receive an in-depth market valuation for your cottage at the click of a mouse. Visit our home evaluations page to find out how. 

Looking to sell your current cottage and buy a larger or newer one? Check out these blog posts. 

• Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Cottage in Simcoe County?

• 6 Buyer Tips For Negotiating the Price of a Property

• What You Need to Know About Conditional Offers

When Renovate or Upgrade Your Cottage 

When it comes to purchasing a cottage, most potential buyers are thinking about next season. In their mind, they are already making plans to host friends, get out on the lake, and simply enjoy their private oasis. 

With this in mind, today's buyers are looking for a property that can meet their needs right away. And, for a number of buyers, this comes down to the size and age of the property. If your cottage is relatively new, has ample square footage, and can compete with other turn-key properties on the market, it could be worth making some strategic upgrades before selling.

Your Realtor® can help you determine the best path forward. If it will be worthwhile to make a few upgrades to the property, they can connect you to trusted local contractors to ensure the process goes smoothly. 

When to Sell Your Cottage As Is

Once again, determining which pre-listing renovations could help you sell your cottage for more money comes down to what buyers are looking for. In some cases, buyers will purchase smaller properties with the intention of tearing them down and building a bigger cottage in their place. 

For example, if your cottage is a modest-sized bungalow sitting on a spacious lot, there’s a strong chance that buyers will be interested in purchasing the property and tearing it down. If the most attractive element of your cottage is the land around it, making renovations before you sell could be an unnecessary use of your time and money. 

Key Takeaways

At the end of the day, every cottage is unique. Across Ontario, real estate trends pertaining to cottage properties can change at a hyper-local level. Like any property sale, it’s important to work with a knowledgeable expert who will help you achieve the best possible results. In this case, a Realtor® with specific experience selling vacation properties like cottages. 

Your Realtor® will perform an in-depth evaluation of your property to determine the most optimal path toward a profitable sale. Once your cottage is listed on the market, they’ll ensure you attract high-quality offers from distinguished buyers. When you begin receiving offers on your cottage, their unique negotiation skills will help you close on a top-dollar offer. 

Want to sell your cottage for top dollar on the market? As Realtors® with decades of experience working in Simcoe County, the GTA, and other cottage communities across the province, we can help! Give us a call at 416-985-1486 today!

For many homeowners in Toronto, retirement marks the best time to sell their longtime family home and transition to a smaller, more manageable space. One of the best parts of retiring in a diverse and vibrant metropolitan area like Greater Toronto is that downsizing your home doesn't mean sacrificing your quality of life. 

What Makes a Great Retirement Neighbourhood?

Everyone has a different idea of what their perfect retirement neighbourhood looks like, and some communities will work better for you than others. That said, popular retirement neighbourhoods in the GTA typically share a few things in common: Good overall walkability (measured by a Walk Score), strong transit access (a high Transit Score), essential amenities within a short distance, and an abundance of quality housing for downsizers. Luckily, the GTA has plenty of amazing neighbourhoods that fit this mould. 

Refined Retirement Living 

An alternative to independent living, retirement condominiums offer a unique downsizing path. The GTA’s best retirement condominiums boast spacious suites or units, a myriad of on-site amenities, and above all else, a thriving social community composed of other downsizers who are at a similar stage in their life. 

One popular retirement condo is Hearthstone by the Bay. Located along the Etobicoke lakeshore, Hearthstone provides residents with a unique, highly-convenient retirement lifestyle. They offer valuable services designed for seniors such as meals in the on-site restaurant, housekeeping, hair salon, pub, movie theatre, fitness programs, social programs and a private shuttle service to downtown. 

 Have you been out of the real estate market for a while? Explore these blog posts for a refresher on what you can expect from the buying and selling processes. 

Should You Work With a Realtor® When Buying a Pre-Construction Condo?

5 Steps to Prepare for Your Home Purchase

What You Need to Know About Conditional Offers

Our Top Neighbourhoods For Retirees

Mimico 

While Mimico makes an amazing community for residents of all ages, it is particularly well-suited to retirees. Nestled on the waterfront away from the noise of downtown, Mimico is perfect for retirees who appreciate spending time outdoors. The neighbourhood’s countless parks, outdoor trails, and green spaces provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Despite being outside of the city centre, Mimico residents still have easy access to downtown via transit. As a quickly modernizing area, Mimico has lots of housing options for retirees, including independent condominiums and townhouses, as well as designated retirement properties. 

High Park

High Park has long been one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods, and for a good reason. Home to the city’s largest park, the community is scenic, tranquil, and a great fit for retirees with an affinity for outdoor recreation. With a remarkable transit score of 94, the neighbourhood is also great for retirees who want fast and easy access to downtown and other parts of the city. In recent years modern condominium developments have become increasingly prominent in High Park, offering even more housing options for retirees and downsizers. 

 With rising interest rates greatly impacting buyer financing in today’s market, it’s important to understand your mortgage inside and out. Have a look at these blog posts to learn more. 

• What’s the Normal Term of a Mortgage in the Toronto Area?

• A Guide to Mortgages if You’re Self Employed

• When is a Good Time to Refinance?

Swansea Village 

Located across from High Park, Swansea Village is a uniquely charming neighbourhood popular with retirees. Despite its quaint small-town ambience, Swansea Village is overflowing with amenities. The locals - affectionately called “villagers'' love the neighbourhood's high-convenience lifestyle and reliable transit access. Like Mimico, Swansea Village offers all the perks of waterfront living. Along the shores of Lake Ontario, a variety of modern condo developments offer incredible views of the skyline and High Park. 

Bloor West 

Bloor West is not just a sought-after residential community but also a popular destination for visitors and tourists. Best known for its charming local shopping district,  Bloor West’s countless boutique shops, independent bakeries, butchers, fruit stands, cafes, and grocers make the neighbourhood one of the most walkable areas in all of Toronto. Served by two TTC subway stations, Bloor West has remarkable transit access. For retirees looking to embrace a car-free lifestyle, this is the perfect neighbourhood to do that. 

Looking to sell your family home and downsize? As local Realtors® with decades of experience, we can help! Give us a call at 416-985-1486 today! 

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board has recently published its market report for December 2022. Let's take a closer look at some of the key metrics and our expert takeaways you need to know about:

Our clients, Karen and Daniel, came to us to ask that we help them find a hobby farm in the Cornwall area. I am originally from Kingston and, in a previous life, had often travelled past Cornwall while on my way to visit relatives in Montreal so I knew the surrounding area well. It was quite an adventure!

We saw several unique properties before finding the right one for Karen and Daniel. They settled on a picture-perfect farm home nestled on 35 acres of woodland with stunning vistas, lovely walking trails and a charming heated, hunter’s cabin. Hobby farms are unique and there are several factors to consider in addition to inspecting the home. For example, we investigate whether there is a drilled or dug well. Is the water potable? Is there good water flow from the well? What is the age of the septic system?

We had offers that did fail on home inspections, the septic system, and water quality. Our clients appreciated the fact that we included the inspection conditions to protect their interests. They also appreciated the fact that we saw many properties - including remote, sketchy ones - and left no stone unturned before finding their dream hobby farm home that met their needs. Our business is driven by hard work, trust, client satisfaction and kind referrals.

The following testimonial by Karen and Daniel is a true measure of our customer service.

“We don’t know what to say as there are so many great things that we could say about your patience and professionalism. The distance you travelled many times, the number of home inspections you attended and the many offers to purchase that you did on our behalf over three years. Then, there was getting out house ready to sell. That was no small feat for you either as how our housekeeping skills were non-existent. Still are. You saw the house’s potential and guided us in getting it ready to list."

"You constantly remained calm and patient with us. No small feat, we know. With due diligence, you found our dream retirement home and sold our Toronto home for us very quickly. Thank you for taking us on as clients for both the new purchase and sale of our existing home. With much gratitude, Karen and Daniel.”

P.S. “Everyone who visits loves this place! I cannot thank you enough. You are great agents.”

Are you looking for a real estate experience that exceeds your expectations? Our hands-on approach to buying and selling in the GTA provides you with peace of mind and the highest level of customer service standards. Call or Text 416-985-1486.