Ontario communities report rising post-holiday sales, say local Realtors in Milton, Ottawa and Muskoka.

Milton

"The first full week of 'return-to-normal' after the holidays has been a great week for the real estate and mortgage businesses," says Realtor Chris Newell. "While the number of homes sold during the period was the same as the previous year, the number of new listings on the market was 25 percent higher than the same period a year ago.

Newell advises, "The buyers are out in full-force looking for well-presented homes that are priced realistically and in great condition. Now is the time to make sure that you 'Dress Your Home For Success' before putting it on the market."

"With mortgage rates heading down over the past week," he adds, "and the cost per $1,000 borrowed at $5.96, there is likely to be a continuation of the high demand for homes under $200,000. As time goes on, it seems that the barriers to entering the home ownership game are getting higher, so if you are renting, now is the time to take a serious look at buying."

Ottawa

Says Realtor Wendy Bell, "Canada's Capital Region offers a variety of recreational activities, museums, theaters and cultural events. We have a large number of Federal Government employees in Ottawa, as well as a very viable high tech sector, all of which keeps unemployment low. We have a diverse cultural mix, and Ottawa's proximity to the Province of Quebec offers services in both English and, in many locations, French. Winterlude celebrates the winter season with skating on the frozen Rideau Canal, and the Tulip Festival heralds the onset of spring with thousands of colourful tulips all around the City. Skiing is just 30 minutes away in winter, and you can boat in the summer on the Ottawa River or the Rideau Canal."

Bell explains, "Although we have been subject to the high tech meltdown over the past few years, we have actuallly seen an improvement in employment figures thanks in large part to the Federal Government and smaller High Tech companies picking up and hiring of most of those High Tech workers who were laid off during the past while."

She advises, "We are anticipating a healthy and robust spring market, which usually starts around the middle to end of January, and continues until the end of the spring, usually around May/June."

Muskoka

"Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph and surrounding smaller lakes offer spectacular waterfront cottages and homes located on pristine Muskoka lakes and rivers," says Realtors Jim and Iris Gardiner. "As of early January the market for Muskoka waterfront cottages and homes was characteristicly slow due to winter weather conditions and the general holiday season. However, our own view, and that of most other Realtors is that there are a substantial number of potential buyers still looking for the right property. We anticipate that market activity will pick up substantially in late Winter as it did in 2002, provided there isn't enough snow to prevent access to properties on the market."

"At this time of year there are many cottage properties for sale that are not actively listed on the MLS system but are known by the Realtors who are active in the winter," advise the Gardiners.

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Published: January 20, 2003

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