Blog | Muskoka & Haliburton County - Leah Ambler

A Real Estate Glossary: Terms Homebuyers Should Know

When it comes to buying or selling your home, there’s no denying that it can be a complicated process. But it doesn’t have to be – especially when you trust the experts at RE/MAX Professionals North! We’re here to help you, and that starts with simplifying the approach.

To make that happen, let’s explore some important terms.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARMs): as the name aptly suggests, this type of mortgage rate does not remain unchanging. Instead, both the interest rate and mortgage payment change depending on market conditions. 

Amortization: refers to repaying your mortgage in full over a period of time.

Appraisal: offers the current value of your home.

Assessed Value: reveals a property's worth and is determined by a governing authority…

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Muskoka Community Spotlight: Bracebridge, ON

What do you get when you combine stunning scenery, a vibrant community, and picturesque landscapes? The beautiful town of Bracebridge! Or, for many lucky individuals – home. 

Nestled in the heart of Muskoka, Bracebridge offers residents a wonderfully dynamic lifestyle. Boasting an impressive combination of economic opportunities and urban amenities, it’s no surprise that many are flocking to the area. 

Bracebridge, Ontario Real Estate

Located in the top Cottage Country destination of Ontario, the Bracebridge real estate market offers cabins, cottages and condos with cozy coastal styles that match the surrounding natural environment. And, with many seeking a peaceful retreat for holidays, there are diverse options for full and shared-ownership for…

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Halloween in Muskoka & Haliburton County

Muskoka and Haliburton County may be best known as summer destinations, but Ontario’s cottage country is also a happening spot in the fall, especially for Halloween. In the days leading up to October 31st, spooky decorations start popping up and costume planning is in full force.

If you’re in the area around Halloween, these are some fun Halloween festivities in Muskoka and Haliburton County for all ages.

Howl-o-ween

Where: Haliburton Forest Wildlife Preserve
When: October 29 - 30

Celebrate Halloween with a live wolf pack at the Haliburton Forest Wildlife Preserve’s annual Howl-o-ween event. The night starts with a visit to the Wolf Centre to view the wolf pack in their enclosure and an educational talk to learn all about their habits.…

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Haliburton County Community Spotlight: Minden, ON

If it’s stunning scenery and small-town charm you’re after, Minden, ON is your spot! Located in the heart of Ontario cottage country in Haliburton County, this picturesque community is a prime summer holiday destination. 

Minden real estate is also highly sought by those who want to live amid nature and enjoy a slower pace of life year-round. The area has plenty to offer in all seasons including outdoor activities, enticing eateries, and heritage sites. Plus, Minden real estate is very affordable compared to other areas in Haliburton County and Muskoka.

Escape to Minden, ON

Minden Hills is a township in Haliburton County, Ontario. Minden is the largest community in the township, but the area also encompasses the communities of Hindon, Snowden,…

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6 Benefits to Investing in Your Own Muskoka Vacation Property

Demand for vacation properties in the Muskoka District has skyrocketed over the past few years, and for good reason. Also known as ‘cottage country’, the region is located just a few hours drive from Toronto and is renowned for its stunning lakes and natural scenery. 

There are many reasons more people are opting to buy instead of rent here. If you’re considering buying a Muskoka cottage or second home, these are some benefits of investing in your own vacation property in cottage country.

Affordable Muskoka Cottage Country Vacations

Let’s face it—vacations can be wildly expensive. 

The cost of hotel rooms and vacation rentals alone can be extremely costly, not to mention all the money you spend on eating out and excursions. When you add in…

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4 Lesser Known Haliburton County Lakes You Should Know About

The Muskoka District and Haliburton County have both become renowned for a incredible natural landscape and the thousands of lakes that dot the topography. These lakes also happen to be home to some absolutely wonderful and picturesque cabins and cottages, creating an ideal escape for many.

Join us as we take a closer look at a few of the lesser known lakes found in Haliburton County that you should know about.

Drag Lake

Surface Area: 10.2 km2
Maximum Depth: 55 m
Perimeter Shoreline: 42 km
Access: 1201 Dardanelles Road & 2111 Fred Jones Road
Major Fish Species: Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Drag Lake's irregular shape has created a unique shoreline with a collection of inlets and bays just waiting to be explored. The lake has gained an…

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4 Lesser Known Muskoka Lakes You Should Know About

The Muskoka district is of course best known for its three big, marquee lakes. These are the ones that everyone knows - Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph and Lake Muskoka. Naturally, these lakes are absolutely stunning and their shores are lined with absolutely stunning waterfront properties.

But, the Muskoka area has so much more to offer. In total, there are some 1600 lakes that dot this incredible landscape. You’d be missing out on quite a lot if you merely focused on the big 3.

With that in mind, today we’ll be profiling four of Muskoka’s lesser-known lakes that are definitely worth a closer look.

Mary Lake

Surface Area: 10.61 km2
Maximum Depth: 56 m
Perimeter Shoreline: 20.5 km
Access: Boat launch in Port Sydney
Major Fish Species: Lake Trout,…

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RE/MAX Professionals North Rallies for Kids!

RE/MAX Professionals North agents are passionate about helping children in our community.

The team was excited to be able to participate in the Rally for Kids initiative in support of the Children’s Miracle Network.

The purpose of the campaign was to gain as many new donors as possible with a $30 per transaction minimum in the RE/MAX Miracle Home project, becoming “Miracle Agents”.

Some great prizes were up for grabs, but this was just icing on the cake compared to the amount of support this program brings to many children in need of medical assistance.

August was a big month.

August’s campaign proved to be a resounding success as well!

Program participants grew by 4 times. The monthly average of new donors across Ontario & Atlantic…

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Buying and Selling: Can I Close a Home Remotely?

The past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions for many people. As we all wrap our minds around the current situation, there’s no doubt that coronavirus has dramatically affected the way we live and how our society operates. There is no clear answer on when things will be back to normal, but the real estate market persists.

While real estate continues to be an essential service, homebuyers and sellers will be required to evolve the standard process to protect against spread of the virus. The short answer is, yes, you can use remote closing to complete your home sale. In fact, over the last decade digital home closing has been a trend, but in this environment more people will be leaning on it than ever before.

Typical process to close a home

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Bank of Canada Makes Interest Rate Announcement

Bank maintains overnight benchmark rate at 0.25%

As expected, the Bank of Canada announced that it is holding its key interest rate target at 0.25%. The Bank acknowledged the hefty economic impact due to COVID-19, and although the pandemic appears to have peaked, there still remains a high degree of uncertainly around the economic recovery.

The next interest rate announcement is scheduled on July 15, 2020. Read the release below:

Massive policy responses in advanced economies have helped to replace lost income and cushion the effect of economic shutdowns. Financial conditions have improved, and commodity prices have risen in recent weeks after falling sharply earlier this year. Because different countries’ containment measures will be lifted at…

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