Ontario Real Estate Association(OREA) = Ontario REALTORS® working hard and investing their dollars to help Ontarians towards a better quality of life.
NEWS RELEASE
Ontario REALTORS® recommend HST relief for homebuyers
(Toronto, February 16, 2010) Ontario REALTORS® are calling on the Government of Ontario to provide relief from the harmonized sales tax (HST) for homebuyers by reducing the provincial land transfer tax (LTT) rate.
The recommendation, which is contained in the Ontario Real Estate Association’s (OREA) 2010 pre-budget submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, would save the average homebuyer almost $1,600.
Under the HST, home buyers and sellers will pay 8 per cent more on legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, home inspection fees, and moving costs, adding about $1,500 in new taxes to the average residential real estate transaction in Ontario.
QUOTES:
“The HST is going to hit homebuyers and sellers hard,” said Pauline Aunger, a Rideau St. Lawrence REALTOR® and President of OREA. “Cutting the provincial land transfer tax rate will help offset the cost of the harmonized sales tax, making homeownership more affordable for all Ontarians.”
“Our clients deserve a tax break,” said Barb Sukkau, a Niagara REALTOR® and Chair of OREA’s Government Relations Committee. “Ontario’s REALTORS® are open to working with the provincial government to find solutions to assist Ontario homebuyers and sellers transition to the HST.”
QUICK FACTS:
OREA proposes that the Government of Ontario reduce the provincial LTT rate by 0.5 per cent on all property value tax brackets. This proposal would save the average Ontario homebuyer $1,591 and cost the provincial government $311 million annually.
OREA estimates that the HST will add $1,513 in new taxes to an average resale home costing $318,366. OREA also estimates that the HST will add $310 million in new taxes annually to residential resale home transactions.
OREA represents 47,000 brokers and salespeople who are members of the 42 real estate boards throughout the province. OREA serves its REALTOR® members through a wide variety of professional publications, educational programs, advocacy and other services.
OREA represents 47,000 brokers and salespeople who are members of the 42 real estate boards throughout the province. OREA serves its REALTOR® members through a wide variety of professional publications, educational programs, advocacy and other services. Current LTT vs.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
New Mortgage Rules
Today, the Finance Minister Jim Flaherty made some changes designed to slow down the more speculative and risky portions of the housing market short term - and to provide additional stability for the future. Let's look at them so we understand what is happening.
First - if you want to take out a new variable rate mortgage (or any other mortgage where the rate is less than the 5 year fixed rate) you must qualify for that mortgage using today's 5 year fixed rates. As you know, to qualify for a mortgage, your payments can't be greater than a certain percentage of your income. Yesterday, for example, we would use a mortgage payment based on the current 3 yr fixed rate when looking at a variable rate mortgage request - today (actually no later than April 19, 2010) we will calculate that ratio using a 5 yr fixed rate. People can still get the 1.95% variable rate mortgage but now they have to demonstrate, through that ratio, that they can handle the mortgage even at today's 5 yr fixed rate.
Second - if you want to refinance your home, you can only take up to 90% of your homes value out instead of 95%. This is designed to slow down speculators taking equity out of their homes for other investments and to ensure that if there is a small correction in particular over-heated markets, that we don't end up with negative equity home-owners. None of us want to own a home with more debt on it than it is worth!
Third, and finally - if you want to purchase an investment property - non-owner-occupied - you are going to need at least 20% down. For multi-unit residential (greater than 4 units) this was previously 15% down - but for 4 units and under you could in some cases go as low as 5% down. This is a material change and absolutely targeted at reducing speculation in the market - particularly in the big city condo market.
All in all, this is a decent attempt at slowing speculation and reducing risk as we move forward out of this slower economy, without killing the market. While the media continues to bring up issues like increasing minmum down payments to 10%, everything that I hear and read suggests that this is largely off the table - it has too much potential to kill the market - something nobody wants to do in this fragile economic recovery period
This information has been brought to you by:
Jim Cook
Mortgage Broker
Mortgage Intelligence
519-396-6800
james.cook@migroup.ca
First - if you want to take out a new variable rate mortgage (or any other mortgage where the rate is less than the 5 year fixed rate) you must qualify for that mortgage using today's 5 year fixed rates. As you know, to qualify for a mortgage, your payments can't be greater than a certain percentage of your income. Yesterday, for example, we would use a mortgage payment based on the current 3 yr fixed rate when looking at a variable rate mortgage request - today (actually no later than April 19, 2010) we will calculate that ratio using a 5 yr fixed rate. People can still get the 1.95% variable rate mortgage but now they have to demonstrate, through that ratio, that they can handle the mortgage even at today's 5 yr fixed rate.
Second - if you want to refinance your home, you can only take up to 90% of your homes value out instead of 95%. This is designed to slow down speculators taking equity out of their homes for other investments and to ensure that if there is a small correction in particular over-heated markets, that we don't end up with negative equity home-owners. None of us want to own a home with more debt on it than it is worth!
Third, and finally - if you want to purchase an investment property - non-owner-occupied - you are going to need at least 20% down. For multi-unit residential (greater than 4 units) this was previously 15% down - but for 4 units and under you could in some cases go as low as 5% down. This is a material change and absolutely targeted at reducing speculation in the market - particularly in the big city condo market.
All in all, this is a decent attempt at slowing speculation and reducing risk as we move forward out of this slower economy, without killing the market. While the media continues to bring up issues like increasing minmum down payments to 10%, everything that I hear and read suggests that this is largely off the table - it has too much potential to kill the market - something nobody wants to do in this fragile economic recovery period
This information has been brought to you by:
Jim Cook
Mortgage Broker
Mortgage Intelligence
519-396-6800
james.cook@migroup.ca
Sunday, January 24, 2010
2009 ended on a HIGH note!
Annual sales activity in 2009 tops previous year
(Jan 19, 2010) The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the REALTORS®
Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound was up in 2009 from 2008 levels, bolstered by a stronger
performance in the second half of the year, particularly in the fourth quarter.
According to statistics provided by the Association, home sales numbered 108 units in December
2009, jumping 86 per cent from the same month in 2008.
Despite a year-over-year increase in the third quarter of the year, year-to-date activity had been
trailing 2008 levels until October. However, the fourth quarter of 2009 was one of the strongest
on record. As a result, annual sales in 2009 surpassed levels reported in 2008. Activity totalled
2,097 units in 2009, up four per cent from the previous year.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, home sales were up eight per cent month-over-month in
December (seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations). Seasonally adjusted
activity now stands 88 per cent above the low reached one year ago.
“Demand continued to improve right up until the end of the year,” said Karen Cox, President of
the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound. “The strong sales momentum seen at
the end of 2009 is likely to carry forward into the new year.”
The average price for homes sold in December 2009 was $211,220, an increase of 11 per cent
from December 2008. Annually, the average price for homes sold in 2009 was $205,490, edging
up two per cent from 2008.
The total dollar value of home sales in December 2009 was $22.8 million, more than double year ago levels and the highest dollar volume on record for the months of December. On an annual
basis, the dollar value of all home sales in 2009 rose six per cent to $430.9 million.
Total sales numbered 144 units, nearly twice the amount reported in December 2008. The total
value of all properties sold in December 2009 was $30.9 million, 116 per cent above one year earlier.
Strong demand and average price gains are beginning to draw more sellers back to the market.
New listings jumped 68 per cent from a year earlier to 156 units in December 2009. This was the largest increase in nearly two decades.
Active residential listings on the Association’s MLS® System were down seven per cent from
year-ago levels to 1,030 units at the end of December 2009. This is the fourth consecutive
decline in active listings.
The number of months of inventory stood at 9.5 months at the end of December 2009, well below the recessionary peak of 19.2 months reached one year earlier. The number of months of
inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of
sales activity.
The REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound represents approximately 350
REALTORS® registered with its member offices. The geographical area served by the Association is in southwestern Ontario, bordered by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay including Bruce and Grey Counties, and part of Wellington County.
(Jan 19, 2010) The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the REALTORS®
Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound was up in 2009 from 2008 levels, bolstered by a stronger
performance in the second half of the year, particularly in the fourth quarter.
According to statistics provided by the Association, home sales numbered 108 units in December
2009, jumping 86 per cent from the same month in 2008.
Despite a year-over-year increase in the third quarter of the year, year-to-date activity had been
trailing 2008 levels until October. However, the fourth quarter of 2009 was one of the strongest
on record. As a result, annual sales in 2009 surpassed levels reported in 2008. Activity totalled
2,097 units in 2009, up four per cent from the previous year.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, home sales were up eight per cent month-over-month in
December (seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations). Seasonally adjusted
activity now stands 88 per cent above the low reached one year ago.
“Demand continued to improve right up until the end of the year,” said Karen Cox, President of
the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound. “The strong sales momentum seen at
the end of 2009 is likely to carry forward into the new year.”
The average price for homes sold in December 2009 was $211,220, an increase of 11 per cent
from December 2008. Annually, the average price for homes sold in 2009 was $205,490, edging
up two per cent from 2008.
The total dollar value of home sales in December 2009 was $22.8 million, more than double year ago levels and the highest dollar volume on record for the months of December. On an annual
basis, the dollar value of all home sales in 2009 rose six per cent to $430.9 million.
Total sales numbered 144 units, nearly twice the amount reported in December 2008. The total
value of all properties sold in December 2009 was $30.9 million, 116 per cent above one year earlier.
Strong demand and average price gains are beginning to draw more sellers back to the market.
New listings jumped 68 per cent from a year earlier to 156 units in December 2009. This was the largest increase in nearly two decades.
Active residential listings on the Association’s MLS® System were down seven per cent from
year-ago levels to 1,030 units at the end of December 2009. This is the fourth consecutive
decline in active listings.
The number of months of inventory stood at 9.5 months at the end of December 2009, well below the recessionary peak of 19.2 months reached one year earlier. The number of months of
inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of
sales activity.
The REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound represents approximately 350
REALTORS® registered with its member offices. The geographical area served by the Association is in southwestern Ontario, bordered by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay including Bruce and Grey Counties, and part of Wellington County.
Hey there, if you or someone you know is considering listing a home in the spring….DON’T WAIT! There may be a flood of competition for your home by then.
Port Elgin is very short on listings NOW, possibly turning things into a prime sellers market. If your home is priced right, it should sell quickly!
As of January 22nd, there are approx a total of 17 “re-sale” homes available in Port Elgin. ONLY 17.Of those, only 1 is under 200,000; 8 are under $250,000; and only 2 are between $250,000 and $300,000
Make the right call! JASON STEELE – 519-377-2147
You want someone that is in the business FULL TIME (this is my career, not my summer hobby); someone that is DEDICATED, HONEST, DEPENDABLE, and works HARD….you want JASON STEELE on your side!
Check out all I have to offer in listing homes, on my website jasonsteele.ca or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/trumpyourfired and view some of the REAL virtual tours that I do for my listings. Not just some “fish eye” camera panning room shots, these are walkthrough narrative videos which are appealing to a buyer.
Port Elgin is very short on listings NOW, possibly turning things into a prime sellers market. If your home is priced right, it should sell quickly!
As of January 22nd, there are approx a total of 17 “re-sale” homes available in Port Elgin. ONLY 17.Of those, only 1 is under 200,000; 8 are under $250,000; and only 2 are between $250,000 and $300,000
Make the right call! JASON STEELE – 519-377-2147
You want someone that is in the business FULL TIME (this is my career, not my summer hobby); someone that is DEDICATED, HONEST, DEPENDABLE, and works HARD….you want JASON STEELE on your side!
Check out all I have to offer in listing homes, on my website jasonsteele.ca or go to http://www.youtube.com/user/trumpyourfired and view some of the REAL virtual tours that I do for my listings. Not just some “fish eye” camera panning room shots, these are walkthrough narrative videos which are appealing to a buyer.
Friday, December 11, 2009
November another great month!
(Dec 9, 2009) The MLS® residential average price for homes sold in the area served by the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound rose to the highest level on record in November 2009. Sales activity was also strong in November, though activity edged back from October’s record levels.
According to statistics provided by the Association, the average price for MLS® home sales in November 2009 was $217,463 – the highest average value ever reported. This is an increase of 14 per cent from November 2008. The large year-over-year gain not only reflects current strength, but also a weak showing last year.
MLS® home sales numbered 146 units in November 2009. This is up 32 per cent from the same month last year, when news of the global financial crisis hammered consumer confidence.
“The strong and sustained rebound in demand has stabilized the marketplace, and we’re seeing that reflected in prices,” said Neil Devlin, President of the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound.
The total dollar value of MLS® home sales in November 2009 was $31.7 million, 50 per cent above year-ago levels.
Total MLS® sales numbered 210 units, an increase of 39 per cent from November 2008. The total value of all MLS® properties sold in November 2009 was $45.6 million, rising 62 per cent from one year earlier.
New listings were up 18 per cent from a year earlier to 264 units in November 2009. In contrast, active residential listings on the Association’s MLS® system dropped 11 per cent from year-ago levels to 1,220 units at the end of November 2009.
The number of months of inventory stood at 8.4 months in November 2009, down from 12.3 months in the same month last year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.
The REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound represents approximately 350 REALTORS® registered with its member offices. The geographical area served by the Association is in southwestern Ontario, bordered by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay including Bruce and Grey Counties, and part of Wellington County.
"REALTOR® is a registered trademark of REALTOR® Canada Inc., a company partly owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association". Trademark use under license from The Canadian Real Estate Association.
Information provided by the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound, Copyright 2009. E&OE.
According to statistics provided by the Association, the average price for MLS® home sales in November 2009 was $217,463 – the highest average value ever reported. This is an increase of 14 per cent from November 2008. The large year-over-year gain not only reflects current strength, but also a weak showing last year.
MLS® home sales numbered 146 units in November 2009. This is up 32 per cent from the same month last year, when news of the global financial crisis hammered consumer confidence.
“The strong and sustained rebound in demand has stabilized the marketplace, and we’re seeing that reflected in prices,” said Neil Devlin, President of the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound.
The total dollar value of MLS® home sales in November 2009 was $31.7 million, 50 per cent above year-ago levels.
Total MLS® sales numbered 210 units, an increase of 39 per cent from November 2008. The total value of all MLS® properties sold in November 2009 was $45.6 million, rising 62 per cent from one year earlier.
New listings were up 18 per cent from a year earlier to 264 units in November 2009. In contrast, active residential listings on the Association’s MLS® system dropped 11 per cent from year-ago levels to 1,220 units at the end of November 2009.
The number of months of inventory stood at 8.4 months in November 2009, down from 12.3 months in the same month last year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.
The REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound represents approximately 350 REALTORS® registered with its member offices. The geographical area served by the Association is in southwestern Ontario, bordered by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay including Bruce and Grey Counties, and part of Wellington County.
"REALTOR® is a registered trademark of REALTOR® Canada Inc., a company partly owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association". Trademark use under license from The Canadian Real Estate Association.
Information provided by the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound, Copyright 2009. E&OE.
Friday, August 28, 2009
PRICE PRICE PRICE
As a seller you must be properly informed about the area market prices. Just because your neighbor got $$$ (which is the biggest cause for overpricing in my opinion) does not mean your house holds the same value. It could be worth more!
The second biggest cause for overpricing is "my family told me what it's worth". That's a shame because you are being given the wrong advice from non-experienced people . I had one the other day say, "my daughter told me....." Their advice was $100,000 over price compared to what has sold in the area within the past year, and they were using comparisons that were totally different/new/much superior features. It hasn't listed yet, but if it does at that price, then the person listing it did not investigate.
As a registered real estate representative, I am trained and experienced in pricing a home correctly. When you don't listen to what an experienced person tells you, you run the risk of over marketing (on the market too long) the home which creates a stigma thus significantly lowering the bottom dollar that you may end up getting.
For example if I told you that your house should list at 239,000 and you decide to list it at $249,000 because you fell into the "249" trap (someone told you that is what it is worth) the chances of a good and fast sale become marginal. If you list at the "market" price, it should sell if it shows well. The biggest reason homes sit for a long time is price. It doesn't matter if it needs a roof, if it's priced to high, it won't sell. If it's priced with the common sense that it does need a roof a potential buyer might agree. If the basement leaks, or it needs new windows, remember to price it accordingly.
Here is another tip....if you are getting more than one valuation on your home, don't tell any of the representatives that you are getting more than one opinion. This way you can be assured of consistent facts/figures.
The third biggest reason a home sits for a long time is marketing. Just a sign will not normally sell your home.(unless you are one of the lucky ones that gets that once in awhile driveby sale) There needs to be a combination of newsprint, open houses, and thorough marketing to get the job done.
"REAL" virtual tours help. Virtual meaning the feeling that you are there. Most tours just provide strategic pictures that spin around the room. My virtual tours are actual video taken of the home with narration of each room and it's features. Those are uploaded to my many websites and social media such as Youtube and House Hunting networks, which capture much more audience than a simple sign and ad in the local paper. If you have a nice cottage to sell, how is an ad in the local paper going to sell it....you need to reach an audience of people that come from areas to cottage here such as the Tri-city area, or Toronto.
When you are ready to list, give Jason Steele a call, you will be glad you did! Have a look at the testimonials on my website, you will see what my clients really think!
http://www.jasonsteele.ca/
The second biggest cause for overpricing is "my family told me what it's worth". That's a shame because you are being given the wrong advice from non-experienced people . I had one the other day say, "my daughter told me....." Their advice was $100,000 over price compared to what has sold in the area within the past year, and they were using comparisons that were totally different/new/much superior features. It hasn't listed yet, but if it does at that price, then the person listing it did not investigate.
As a registered real estate representative, I am trained and experienced in pricing a home correctly. When you don't listen to what an experienced person tells you, you run the risk of over marketing (on the market too long) the home which creates a stigma thus significantly lowering the bottom dollar that you may end up getting.
For example if I told you that your house should list at 239,000 and you decide to list it at $249,000 because you fell into the "249" trap (someone told you that is what it is worth) the chances of a good and fast sale become marginal. If you list at the "market" price, it should sell if it shows well. The biggest reason homes sit for a long time is price. It doesn't matter if it needs a roof, if it's priced to high, it won't sell. If it's priced with the common sense that it does need a roof a potential buyer might agree. If the basement leaks, or it needs new windows, remember to price it accordingly.
Here is another tip....if you are getting more than one valuation on your home, don't tell any of the representatives that you are getting more than one opinion. This way you can be assured of consistent facts/figures.
The third biggest reason a home sits for a long time is marketing. Just a sign will not normally sell your home.(unless you are one of the lucky ones that gets that once in awhile driveby sale) There needs to be a combination of newsprint, open houses, and thorough marketing to get the job done.
"REAL" virtual tours help. Virtual meaning the feeling that you are there. Most tours just provide strategic pictures that spin around the room. My virtual tours are actual video taken of the home with narration of each room and it's features. Those are uploaded to my many websites and social media such as Youtube and House Hunting networks, which capture much more audience than a simple sign and ad in the local paper. If you have a nice cottage to sell, how is an ad in the local paper going to sell it....you need to reach an audience of people that come from areas to cottage here such as the Tri-city area, or Toronto.
When you are ready to list, give Jason Steele a call, you will be glad you did! Have a look at the testimonials on my website, you will see what my clients really think!
http://www.jasonsteele.ca/
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cottage in the Port Elgin area
From Friday's Globe and Mail Last updated on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 02:32PM EDT
When Toronto lawyer Doug Harrison tells his friends and colleagues he's headed to his cottage in Port Elgin, Ont., for the weekend, he's often asked, “Huh? Where's that?”
The beach town on Lake Huron in western Ontario is unfamiliar to many Torontonians, who are more aware of Muskoka, the Kawarthas or Prince Edward County as cottage destinations. “It's not on the radar,” says Mr. Harrison. “It's amazing how many Torontonians don't know about it.”
But the days of obscurity for Port Elgin and the neighbouring community of Southampton might not last much longer. “We're starting to notice more people from Toronto coming to the region,” local real-estate agent Brad Angel says. “The Kawarthas and places like that have become quite expensive, and people are looking for alternatives.”
Prices are lower along Lake Huron, although it's no bargain basement. Lakefront properties start at about $450,000, largely because there is such a tight supply. The area has always been popular with families from London, Guelph and Hamilton, and there's little ownership turnover. Cottages are often handed down through the generations.
If the lure of lower prices isn't enough of a draw, the natural beauty is. Wide, sandy beaches interspersed with rugged outcrops, as well as the vast expanse of Lake Huron, are compelling. “You just cannot get better sunsets than on the Lake Huron shore,” says Mr. Angel, the broker of record for Coldwell Banker-The Property Shoppe.
Mr. Harrison's reasons for venturing three hours west of his Toronto home and office are more personal. He grew up in Hamilton, and his wife, Margaret Grottenthaler, is from Guelph.
They spent summers in their youth in and around Southampton, and rented cottages in the area as adults before buying their own land in 2003 and building a modernist beach house. “I think most people gravitate, when they get a cottage, to the area they experienced as children,” Ms. Grottenthaler notes.
Port Elgin and Southampton are about a half-hour north of Kincardine, and an hour southwest of Owen Sound. Port Elgin, whose population includes blue-collar workers, white-collar types from the Bruce nuclear plant, and increasingly affluent cottagers, has a main street that's seen several new establishments open over the past couple of years, including a deli, a pair of yuppie-friendly coffee shops, an English pub and a swank Italian restaurant. Southampton has long had enough upscale shops and services to satisfy city folk.
Still, the area is relatively isolated, and Mr. Harrison and Ms. Grottenthaler hope that never changes. They prefer the slow pace and lack of modern trappings. “In Muskoka, you have to be much more industrious,” Ms. Grottenthaler says. “You have to boat, you have to swim, you have to fix the dock. Here, you don't have to do anything. You just have to get out your lawn chairs and read a book.” For many harried Torontonians, that might be the biggest lure of them all.
When Toronto lawyer Doug Harrison tells his friends and colleagues he's headed to his cottage in Port Elgin, Ont., for the weekend, he's often asked, “Huh? Where's that?”
The beach town on Lake Huron in western Ontario is unfamiliar to many Torontonians, who are more aware of Muskoka, the Kawarthas or Prince Edward County as cottage destinations. “It's not on the radar,” says Mr. Harrison. “It's amazing how many Torontonians don't know about it.”
But the days of obscurity for Port Elgin and the neighbouring community of Southampton might not last much longer. “We're starting to notice more people from Toronto coming to the region,” local real-estate agent Brad Angel says. “The Kawarthas and places like that have become quite expensive, and people are looking for alternatives.”
Prices are lower along Lake Huron, although it's no bargain basement. Lakefront properties start at about $450,000, largely because there is such a tight supply. The area has always been popular with families from London, Guelph and Hamilton, and there's little ownership turnover. Cottages are often handed down through the generations.
If the lure of lower prices isn't enough of a draw, the natural beauty is. Wide, sandy beaches interspersed with rugged outcrops, as well as the vast expanse of Lake Huron, are compelling. “You just cannot get better sunsets than on the Lake Huron shore,” says Mr. Angel, the broker of record for Coldwell Banker-The Property Shoppe.
Mr. Harrison's reasons for venturing three hours west of his Toronto home and office are more personal. He grew up in Hamilton, and his wife, Margaret Grottenthaler, is from Guelph.
They spent summers in their youth in and around Southampton, and rented cottages in the area as adults before buying their own land in 2003 and building a modernist beach house. “I think most people gravitate, when they get a cottage, to the area they experienced as children,” Ms. Grottenthaler notes.
Port Elgin and Southampton are about a half-hour north of Kincardine, and an hour southwest of Owen Sound. Port Elgin, whose population includes blue-collar workers, white-collar types from the Bruce nuclear plant, and increasingly affluent cottagers, has a main street that's seen several new establishments open over the past couple of years, including a deli, a pair of yuppie-friendly coffee shops, an English pub and a swank Italian restaurant. Southampton has long had enough upscale shops and services to satisfy city folk.
Still, the area is relatively isolated, and Mr. Harrison and Ms. Grottenthaler hope that never changes. They prefer the slow pace and lack of modern trappings. “In Muskoka, you have to be much more industrious,” Ms. Grottenthaler says. “You have to boat, you have to swim, you have to fix the dock. Here, you don't have to do anything. You just have to get out your lawn chairs and read a book.” For many harried Torontonians, that might be the biggest lure of them all.
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