Last year January 1st 2010 to July 1st 2010 there were 20 waterfront cottage sales in Bracebridge. This year January 1st 2011 to July 1st 2011 there have been 13 waterfront cottage sales in Bracebridge. Thats a 35% drop in waterfront cottage sales for the Bracebridge area. As of July 5th 2011 there are currently 45 waterfront cottages for sale in the Bracebridge area. Based on the fact that there were a total of 43 waterfront cottage sales for 2010, and the 35% drop in sales so far for 2011, this indicates that out of the 45 waterfront cottages that are currently for sale…only 15 of them will be sold in the remainder of 2011. This is what we call a Buyers Market, when there are far more properties available than there are Buyers. This also means that as a Seller, you must become competi... 07/06/2011

If you are asking if an open house will help sell your home, then my answer is "unlikely". Before the Internet boom (before the majority of people turned to the Internet to find their next home), people relied on printed MLS books, newspaper listings, Real Estate magazines, and driving around their desired neighbourhoods to find open houses. Back in those days (before 1995), open houses were an effective way to help sell a home. The people who entered the open house were actually ‘likely buyers' who were in the market to actively search for a home to purchase. What we see nowadays though, is a trail of nosey neighbours and week-end tire-kickers who want to get decorating ideas or just want to compare your home with theirs so that they can imagine up a value for their own. So why are ope... 06/27/2011

Available for FREE download from the iTunes Store. Just search for Muskoka and the MuskokaRealty App will display. This App gives you access to current real estate listings in Muskoka and surrounding areas. All information contained in this app is up-to-date in 'real time'. What better way to search for real estate listings in Muskoka, or to be kept up to date on Muskoka news! Statistical publications show a huge success in mobile internet applications. In fact, experts predict that by 2014, mobile internet users will far outweigh desktop users. iPhone Applications still out-weigh any other systems apps, but Android is currently a strong competitor. The Muskoka Real estate App will soon be available for Android. Go to the iTunes Store or get linked directly from Here! to view the Muskok... 06/23/2011

I went to a Home Exhibition. There were two exhibitors 'selling' the same product. One of them placed a fake glass of beer on their display. This exhibitor attracted at least 10 times more potential consumers to their display than their competitor. I am not suggesting that you place a glass of beer in your pictures when selling your home or cottage...but I do suggest you pick a Real Estate Salesperson who knows how to take marketing your listing to a higher level. Contact me for details ;) 06/23/2011

The Importance Of Branding and Brand Recognition. What Does The Name Or Slogan Have To Do With It? When we bought our little summer hideaway we noticed there was a water mark on the ceiling. There is a row of pines along one side whose branches extended over the edge of the roof and we felt this had caused a spring time ice build up along the edge of the roof. This would cause the water from the melting snow to back up under the shingles and in onto the ceiling. We immediately trimmed those branches away fixing the issue, so we thought. On inspecting the roof we noticed that there was some moss taking a foothold on one end and that the shingles were showing signs of needing to be replaced. After giving it some thought we decided to wait a year or two before redoing the roof. The followi... 05/31/2011

Canadian Safe Boating Awareness Week Starts Today The 2011 Canadian Safe Boating Awareness Week will take place from Coast to Coast to Coast in Canada from May 28 to June 3, 2011. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that all Canadians who head out on the waters in canoes, kayaks, sailboards, sailboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft, power boats, cruisers and houseboats are equipped with the knowledge required to have a safe day on the water. . The Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons will be providing FREE Recreational Vessel Courtesy Checks. At the invitation of the boat owner and with reference to the appropriate section in the "Safe Boating Guide",the CPS Boating Safety Specialist reviews the safety equipment required by law. Boats that meet regulations are issued a 2011 CPS ... 05/28/2011