If a meteor hit Lake Joseph, this cottage and boathouse would be the only structures left standing, says listing agent Ross Halloran, only half jokingly. He says the owner, who is in construction, built the cottage with industrial-grade mate-rials and built it to last. It was going to be his "final cottage," the agent says.

New taxes on foreign buyers, a cooling of the luxury real estate market in the GTA, rising interest rates, new mortgage "stress test" rules – most people seem oblivious to all this in cottage country.

MUSKOKA—Tokata is one of those idyllic enclaves of waterfront real estate — spacious, gracious, packed with modern amenities and perched on a private peninsula jutting into quiet Silver Lake.

The pandemic put life on pause, but in Ontario’s cottage country, the market is now in overdrive as buyers look to escape the city. The market is about six weeks behind normal, with people now bringing their cottages on to the market, says real estate agent Sandy Waldie of Chestnut Park Real Estate.

As cool autumn weather starts to settle into Muskoka, it's not only campfires keeping the locals warm. Property sales -- still ablaze in the wake of a fiery summer season -- are also continuing to put in the work.

Autumn has made its colourful descent on the Muskoka region, but, as red and orange leaves fall to the ground, the local real estate market refuses to follow suit.

Buying into Muskoka real estate has never been harder (or more expensive) than it is right now. Pent-up buyers, staring down long summer months without travel, looked north in the spring in search of relief. And they haven't stopped since. 

In case you haven’t been paying attention all summer long, real estate across much of the province has made a COVID comeback -- and then some. And Muskoka real estate certainly hasn’t been a stranger to this increased activity. 

Mid-March isn't a moment many of us would like to relive. With the onset of COVID-19, panic hit and nearly all aspects of daily life were affected. And while many were not yet thinking about it, cottage country was facing its own crisis.

Searching for a cottage can be challenging, even at the best of real estate times. To make the process a little bit easier, many hopeful buyers spend the cold winter months searching online, with goals of purchasing their dream cottage in time for the spring and summer ahead.

As the year draws to a close and interest rates continue to weigh heavily on purchasing power, the real estate market is quieting down in Muskoka. Year-over-year, waterfront sales were off 39.6% in November, while non-waterfront sales were down 34.4%, according to the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

As the weather cools, things appear to be heating up in Muskoka -- particularly where the supply of new-home listings is concerned. According to new data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), residential non-waterfront sales activity recorded through the MLS System for the Lakelands region totalled 376 units in October, a 32.3% decrease from that same period in 2021.

As interest rates rise and demand drops, the housing market has seen offer nights disappear and financing conditions come bouncing back. But another big change is on the horizon: the resurgence of vendor take-back mortgages.

It appears the effects of rising interest rates have made their way to the pristine shores of Muskoka, as sales of both waterfront and non-waterfront properties have chilled compared to last year.

You just can't beat the classics. If your summer days could use a dose of timeless waterside vibes, a new listing on Farquhar Lake, described as a 'classic old school cottage,' is calling your name.

For those with a green thumb, a love for lush nature, and a preference for solitude, a property that could be called 'perfect' has hit the Apsley market. A half-hour drive from Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, 28 Rose Island Road is the type of listing you don't get to see very often.

Sometimes the expense of city living is enough to make anyone want to pack up their compact condo and head to the great outdoors. A sprawling island of your own in Ontario's Muskoka region sounds like a pretty nice alternative, right?

When determining your next move within the cottage country real estate realm -- be that selling, buying, renting, or otherwise -- listening to your heart is important.

Summer's already feeling hot, but home values in Muskoka might be even hotter. While sales in the the region appear to be slowing, desirable property types are seeing price hikes as an influx of new listings emerges. 

As summer approaches, so too does peak cottage season. And while sales may be slowing in Muskoka, prices on coveted property types continue to rise.

Known for its rugged landscape and natural splendour, Muskoka is beloved for its recreational opportunities paired with the most exceptional lakeside living.

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. It’s a sentiment attributed to Picasso, and embodied by the work of Halloran & Associates when it comes to staging a cottage for sale.

At the onset of the pandemic, the coveted cottages in Ontario’s picture-perfect Muskoka region became even hotter commodities. 

Ontario is in the throes of what could be called a seller’s dilemma. The issue being, home costs are at record-breaking highs, but to cash in on your property’s value typically means entering the uncertain (and ultra-competitive) buyer’s market. 

It’s hard to pinpoint the one thing that sets Halloran & Associates apart from other real estate teams, because it appears to be a lot of things.

Muskoka's cottages are renowned for their impressive layouts, lavish interiors, and swoon-worthy views. Those in the market for a home away from home look to this region for their perfect place, and it often doesn't take long for them to find it.

The coveted real estate market in Ontario’s cottage country is experiencing record lows of supply and soaring prices.  

ntario’s popular tourist towns are becoming permanent, year-round homes to many more people.  According to census figures released this week from Statistics Canada (StatsCan), a handful of Ontario’s tourist towns have dramatically increased in population.

Winter's winds are blowing through Ontario's cottage country, and still, competition in Muskoka's real estate scene remains hot.

Following months of record-breaking activity, Muskoka's real estate market maintained busy status in November. But not without some nuance.

Ontario is known -- and beloved -- for its picturesque winters. Like something out of a Group of Seven painting, people from around the world flock to see Ontario’s cottage country in the wintertime, and to enjoy weekends tucked away in snowy retreats. 

There’s a new reason to visit Ontario’s unforgettable Muskoka region (...and, one that actually makes it more affordable).

As autumn digs its heels into the sandy shores of Muskoka, supply and demand continue to face-off -- albeit, with a minor slowdown that's slightly reminiscent of pre-pandemic days.

Newly-built and fresh to the market, Fallingwater North -- inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater -- will take your breath away.

If you're beyond ready to -- at long last -- embrace a lifestyle of good vibes only, let us introduce you to your chance to cash in on some Kahshe Lake karma.

Imagine: a life in Muskoka, paired with condo benefits you'd find in Manhattan and landscapes akin to those of The Hamptons.

What if we told you that Muskoka's Big Three may actually be... a Big Four? Come take look at Kahshe Lake, and you'll see what we mean.

People often dream about being able to fall asleep to the sound of waves, but not many of them actually get the chance to do so.

As if taking cues from Mother Nature, real estate activity throughout the Muskoka region cooled in September, falling from last year's record to more "normal" levels.

August brought highs and lows to the Muskoka real estate front, but the big picture continues to look good for those hoping to sell.

Multi-generational living is on the rise in Canada. But what about multi-generational vacationing?

Purchasing a lot in Ontario’s pristine cottage country offers a blank canvas to turn a vision into reality on the dream vacation house front.

Bancroft – located on the York River in the north end of Hastings County – was just designated as the best spot to buy real estate in Canada.

The desire to escape the pandemic and other worries of modern life has made retreats on private islands more enticing.

Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph represent the heart of the area’s Cottage Country, a playground for the wealthy since the 1800s

Refurbished shipping containers dotting the sprawling property help give new meaning to the phrase “island life”