Muskoka New & Noteworthy – Everything Muskoka Real Estate

For generations, city dwellers have seen Muskoka as an idyllic weekend retreat or the perfect retirement destination. However, more and more GTA residents are cutting their ties with the city and choosing this locale and lifestyle for year-round living.

Unlike city living, prospective buyers have a wide range of affordable housing to choose from within and around the towns, nearby lakesides, riverside and countryside properties. The lifestyle suits more than just retirees. Many prospective buyers with young families are looking for affordable homes and an active, relaxed way of life out of the city. They are increasingly relocating and working in the Muskoka area or are able to work remotely.

Muskoka boasts communities that offer the natural beauty and the total relaxation of a year-round lifestyle against one of the most picturesque backdrops in Canada.
Homes in the Muskoka communities offer the quiet charm of being surrounded by nature but also the conveniences of living close to amenities without the hustle and bustle of city life. Best of all, when the weekend comes, there’s no need to fight traffic to get to Muskoka to enjoy your free time — you’re already there!
Muskoka has lively, picturesque towns and villages and is less than two to two and half hours from Toronto. During the spring and summer months, it’s one of the best places to spend the summer in Canada. The town and the surrounding area are both alive with adventure and the area offers a relaxing oasis with plenty of recreational activities. Muskoka has around 1600 lakes to explore and a great place to enjoy swimming, boating, golf, hiking and resort-style living. In autumn, the area is bursting with colour and plenty of fall fairs and activities. And in winter, it’s a wonderland of outdoor fun that includes skating, snowshoeing, fat biking, snowmobiling, skiing or just chill -laxing.

There are many other rich amenities for residents: beaches, cruise lines, waterfalls, parks and trails, camps, clubs and sports organizations, farmer’s markets, libraries, community centres, gyms, public transit, schools and colleges, art shows, galleries and studios.

Muskoka boasts communities that offer the natural beauty and the total relaxation of a year-round lifestyle against one of the most picturesque backdrops in Canada.

Homes in the Muskoka communities offer the quiet charm of being surrounded by nature but also the conveniences of living close to amenities without the hustle and bustle of city life. Best of all, when the weekend comes, there’s no need to fight traffic to get to Muskoka to enjoy your free time — you’re already there! Contact Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker for more information about moving to Muskoka! JanineScottMuskoka@gmail.com Lakes, Town & Country Homes Team – Muskoka Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc Brokerage www.remaxallstars.ca

View all Muskoka properties listed for sale www.janinescott.com

Muskoka New & Noteworthy

What You Need to Know About Buying Waterfront Property, Muskoka

Feb 26, 2019 Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker

DO YOU KNOW! Know your local waterfront and area rules and regulations! Zoning by-laws have various rules and regulations that specify what a property can be used for and the types, dimensions, and locations of buildings that can be constructed on each waterfront property. For example, there are restrictions around how close a cottage can be to the lake, how large a cottage can be, whether or not a boathouse is permitted and how large it can be, and how many cottages or sleeping cabins are permitted on one lot. Zoning by-laws can be complex and certain properties have specific restrictions which limit development further. If you are seeking to purchase waterfront property in the Lake of Bays, Huntsville, Muskoka Area you need to work with a waterfront specialist. Buy with confidence and knowledge with Janine Scott* Buying a waterfront property and/or cottage is not similar at all to buying city real estate. You need a professional with extensive knowledge of not only the lakes and the immediate area but also the bylaws of the individual township, septic rules and regulations, tree removal bylaws; waterfront setbacks, shore road allowance; just to name a few. Contact Janine Scott*, Real Estate Broker JanineScottMuskoka@gmail.com for local waterfront expertise in Muskoka. Selling beautiful Muskoka waterfront for 23 years! Re/Max North Country Realty Inc, Brokerage

* View the video – Know Waterfront

Muskoka New & Noteworthy

Buying a Cottage in Muskoka

Feb 25, 2019Feb 25, 2020 Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker

Another question I get asked all the time as a Realtor:

“Where is the best place to buy a cottage in Muskoka?”

The many factors of Muskoka cottage buying include:

Location – Lake? Large? Small? River? Budget?
Cottage size – Family? Friends? Again budget!3)
Lifestyle – Recreation? Relaxing & Solitude? Access?4)
Future Use – Investment? Rental? Retirement? Re-Sale?

Lets expand on these points and ask yourself the criteria that is important to you:

1. Are you interested in boating? If so, the size of the lake may be important to you. If you like boating and touring around a large lake or have kids that are into wakeboarding and waterskiing then a larger lake may be what you are looking for in a cottage property. If you are a non-motorized enthusiast, then a smaller lake or river may be more suitable for you ie: kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding (SUP) swimming, sun bather or just sitting on the dock. Is drive time important to you? If you would like to be less than 2 hours from the GTA to your cottage destination then the south part of Muskoka may be more appealing to you. Note that you do pay a premium for this location too! If a drive time of 2.5 to 3 hours to your cottage then you have a much broader selection of properties to choose from.

2. Cottage size may be important to you. Do you have a large family or love to entertain? A cottage property with a bunkie or guest cottage may work for you for the overflow of guests. If you own a cottage there is always someone waiting for an invite to your piece of paradise! A larger lot also may important to you if want extra privacy. A typical 100ft lot water frontage may not give you the elbow room you may desire. A larger water frontage may be more appealing but that again depends on your budget.

3. Location may be a big factor in the area you choose. For example waterfront in Huntsville will be easy for you to reap the benefits of year round activities and proximity to amenities like restaurants, shopping, golf and local events. Lake of Bays gains you the best of both worlds with all the above plus crown land, multi use trails and Algonquin Park within minutes of the area. Port Carling area is bustling center in the summer but is very quiet in the winter. Are you craving a more peaceful getaway? There are 1600 lakes in the District of Muskoka and smaller, quite lakes included where you only hear nature! Do you have smaller kids or have accessibility issues? A level lot with easy entry to the lake may be more acceptable than a challenging sloped lot. Other factors that most buyers forget is sun orientation or exposure; ie: Do you like morning sun or late day sun or sunsets? These factors can be key in finding a waterfront property that best suits your lifestyle.

4. Other factors of purchasing cottage properties are for a more lucrative approach for investment or seasonal rental pursuits. Or perhaps you envision yourself enjoying the cottage as a retreat but then retiring to your paradise when you retire.

These questions may help you put extra thought into the process of buying a cottage in Muskoka. Sometimes you just have to explore the area and that one property may just speak to you and you fall in love with it! If you need help finding the perfect cottage property let me help you search it out. I was born and raised in Muskoka and I can share my personal insights and thoughts of a great investment for a property that will check off all the boxes. Contact a Muskoka cottage expert – JANINE SCOTT, Real Estate Broker JanineScottMuskoka@gmail.com Lakes, Town & Country Homes – Muskoka

Re/Max ALL-Stars Realty Inc, Brokerage

Muskoka New & Noteworthy

Cottages, Lake Of Bays, Muskoka

Feb 12, 2019Feb 12, 2019 Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker

Located in the heart of Muskoka, Lake of Bays is one of the most popular places to cottage and vacation in Central Ontario, with cottages scattered amongst the shores of this beautiful lake, and nestled into forests full of birch, maple, and towering pines.

Lake of Bays abounds with opportunities for outdoor adventure. It is Muskoka’s 2nd largest lake with 350 miles of shoreline to explore. The lake itself is crystal clear and preferred destination for anglers, boaters, paddlers, swimmers and sunbathers. On land, golfing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are popular activities in the summer, while cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding are favourites come winter. Nearby Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area provides opportunities for downhill skiing and snowboarding.

The region is dotted with unique restaurants, charming boutiques and art galleries that display and sell local artisans’ work, such as Dwight’s Old Palmer House, voted Muskoka’s best gift store, and Dorset’s Robinson’s General Store, voted Canada’s best country store. If in Baysville, be sure to stop by the Lake of Bays Brewing Company to sample the region’s namesake beer and Henrietta’s Bakery for delicious breads and treats!

Located two and half hours northeast of Toronto, Lake of Bays is a very popular place to enjoy in all seasons in Muskoka Ontario.
Would you like to view cottage properties in this area?
Contact Janine for the best areas and cottages to view!

Muskoka New & Noteworthy, Uncategorized

Muskoka named by Expedia as one of the World’s Top Honeymoon Destinations!

Apr 24, 2018Feb 12, 2019 Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker

According to a recent article published by Expedia.ca, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada is considered one of the best honeymoon destinations on the planet, going toe-to-toe with a who’s who list that includes Banff, Belize, and BC’s Sunshine Coast.

We’ve known for a while that Muskoka is one of Canada’s hidden gem romantic getaways, but it would appear that our secret is now out.

Heralded as a honeymoon destination across all-four seasons, Muskoka was credited for its stunning scenery and having no shortage of just the two of us activities to enjoy. Expedia suggested fun adventures for your honeymoon that included snowboarding at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area in the winter, kayaking the Muskoka River with Liv Outside in the summer or sipping local flavours with Brew Tours or Muskoka Lakes Winery year round.
The opportunities for fun together are literally endless! We’ve compiled a few more suggestions of couples activities that are both outdoorsy and exciting, and a perfect day spent together:

~Sunset Dinner cruise aboard the Lady Muskoka or Muskoka Steamships
~The famous Cruise and Dine with Port Cunnington Lodge & SS Bigwin
~Lake of Bays Scenic Drive driving tour, beautiful all year round but especially during the fall
~Romantic dinner date at Bigwin Island’s Marine Dining Room. Renowned for their culinary excellence, your dining experience includes a ferry boat ride to the island
~Zip line and aerial games course at Treetop Trekking for couples that love adrenaline
~Hike an island paradise at Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Pampered couples treatments at one of our resort spas
S’more date around the campfire, the quintessential Muskoka experience
~Live concert at the intimate Peter’s Players
~Peaceful boat ride of Muskoka’s famous lakes. Dock at one of Muskoka’s beautiful downtowns for an ice cream trip or a lunch date
~Arts at the Albion gallery tour in downtown Gravenhurst, a beautiful art gallery that showcases Muskoka’s many talented artists
~Sunset hike to Huckleberry Rock
One thing is certain, Muskoka is both beautiful AND fun, just like your new marriage!

Of course Muskoka is not just for honeymoons, visit anytime of the year!