“Our core market – the market for waterfront properties in the Kawarthas – was up 35 percent to the end of August 2015. Buying is driving market activity,” points out McCormack. The broker’s observations align with recent numbers from the Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association. Residential sales, according to the association, numbered 150 units in September 2015, an increase of 11.1 percent from September 2014. On a year-to-date basis, home sales were running 19.5 percent ahead of the first nine months of 2014. And annual sales are positioned to set a record in 2015.

We asked Stephanie Lange, buyer representative at Kawartha Waterfront Realty, what she believes has motivated buyers to purchase waterfront now and pay good prices for those properties. Steph joined our brokerage in November 2014. In her role as a buyer representative, she helps buyers find properties to call their own in the Kawarthas. She understands purchasing a waterfront property can be stressful and overwhelming. But she believes it should be fun and exciting, too.

Steph shares with her clients her experiences as a lifelong cottager. In fact, her family history in the Kawarthas dates back to 1979 when her grandparents purchased a small cottage on Balsam Lake. Steph grew up cottaging on the shores of Balsam Lake, where she learned to swim, start a snowmobile, and drive a boat. She can also share with her clients her experience and knowledge as a new homeowner in the Kawarthas.

“Many of my clients have been from the tail end of the baby boomer generation, and they have had their eyes on the waterfront market for many years now. Their plans for retirement have almost unanimously included moving away from their large family homes in the GTA, and purchasing properties further north on the water.”

“Their houses in the city are worth more than ever before. And it is becoming increasingly evident the waterfront properties they seek are, similarly, growing in value. Their confidence in their ability to sell their homes quickly, and for top-dollar, allows buyers to feel secure enough to move forward with their purchasing decisions, even if they are still a few short years away from retiring.”

“The Kawarthas, in particular, has been very desirable to my clients. The Kawarthas is more accessible than ever” (several of Canada's major 400-series highways (400, 401, 404, and 407), the TransCanada Highway 7, and Provincial Highways 35 and 115 provide fast access).

“The Kawarthas also offers more amenities and recreational opportunities, but still manages to retain the small-town, country charm so many of my buyers want for their retirement.”

“They are confident, they are prepared, and they recognize the value in Kawartha waterfront properties. I think these things, in combination, are helping to drive the volume and the speed of waterfront sales we’ve seen lately."

“A smaller portion of my clients has been young professional families. Two-income households, with elementary or high school-aged kids who want the waterfront experience for their families. Much like the boomers, many of these people have houses in the GTA that are growing in value. Coupled with the low-interest rates offered by lenders, many young families are now able to obtain the financing they need for second properties.”

“They are achieving their waterfront dreams, often by way of modest, three-season cottages they are happy to escape to on weekends and work away at as time allows. They recognize waterfront prices are unlikely to decrease and have adopted a ‘now-or-never’ attitude towards cottage ownership.”

“The time is right, and they are taking advantage of it.”