Its Novemeber 13, 2014 and winter has arrived here in Parry Sound!  After shoveling the snow off our steps and scraping the ice and snow off the car windows, I arrive at the office ready for another busy day.  However, it is clear that as we enter into the winter season the Real Estate season in "cottage country" is also changing.  A large portion of the real estate market in the Parry Sound - Muskoka area is cottages and vacant building lots.  Many cottages are summer cottages or 3 season cottages.  Normally these cottages are "closed down" in the fall until the next summer.  With no water or electricity and with many of these properties on seasonal roads not maintained in the winter, these properties come off the market until the next summer.  This trend affects more than just these summer properties.  With the bulk of summer cottages being available mainly in the summer/fall months, many Buyers effectively stop looking for their perfect property until next summer!  Also, many Sellers of properties that are year round homes/cottages (on a lake or Georgian Bay) feel it might make sense to take their property off the market during the 'slow season'.  While there are advantages to taking a property off the market during the winter and re-listing in the summer when it is busier, there are some strategic advantages for both Sellers and Buyers to have these properties on the market over the winter.  

First, lets look at this from a Seller's perspective.  The Seller's goal is....to sell their property.  The summer months provides more Buyers who are in the buying mood and actively looking for a place.  However, the summer also provides more competition for the Seller.  There are so many more options for those Buyers!  If property can be either a year round home or cottage, that gives the Seller a marketing advantage!  You can have your property on the market and being advertised with a lot less competition than you have in the summer months.  Regardless of if there are a lot more Buyers in the summer....how many Buyers do you need to buy your property?  .......just one.  For example, as a Seller, would you rather that your property was one of five places to consider or one of 35?  Less options for Buyers is an advantage to you if your property is one of them.  It is normally better for the Buyer to have more options to choose from, but what if the Buyer doesn't have the luxury to choose when they are moving into the area?  Situations such as being relocated for work happens at different times during the year.  For those who must move to the Parry Sound - Muskoka area during the winter months, they NEED to buy something!  Why not have your property as one of the few options?

For the Buyer, the more options they have, the better!  There can be another benefit for a Buyer in the winter months.  Although not always the case, after the busier summer real estate season is over some Sellers become a lot more motivated to sell as they are heading into the winter. Perhaps they are not looking forward to paying heating costs over the winter or maybe their place is vacant.  It may make financial sense for the Seller to accept a lower offer than what they originally wanted if it means not spending more money in carrying costs over the winter.  Every situation is different, but some sellers do become more motivated to get that SOLD sign on the property  as they head into the winter months and Buyers can benefit. 

So, regardless if you are thinking of Selling or Buying, don't write off the winter!  There are advantages and opportunities to being in the winter market!  

Contact me to discuss your specific sitution and how I can help YOU!