cottagechristina

cottagechristina Sales Representative for Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Brokerage
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I help busy people find the Muskoka, Parry Sound or Lake of Bays cottage of their dreams using my 5 step Seriously Muskoka Blueprint method

06/13/2026

It was Friday night, I looked at Dempsey and said, “How can we surprise Aaron on Sunday?”

For context, Aaron and his friend had just spent 29 days hiking the Bruce Peninsula Trail. All 900 kilometres of it.

Not 90.

NINE HUNDRED - you read that right.

Their journey was ending in Tobermory, and somehow the idea of driving more than four hours each way to surprise him popped into my head.

Turns out my mom had the exact same
idea.

At first, I do not think Dempsey believed we would actually do it. But by 8:00 Sunday morning, we were in the car and heading north.

And honestly? The drive flew by.

There is something about spending time with people you love that makes long drives feel shorter and good conversations feel longer.

We arrived with plenty of time to spare, found the perfect hiding spot, and settled in to wait.

Or so we thought.

A text message from Aaron sent us briefly into panic mode. Lunch was abandoned. We ran back to the car.

There was strategizing. There was hiding. There was a lot of nervous excitement.
And then there was more waiting.

But when the moment finally came, it was worth every kilometre.

Watching Dempsey surprise someone he cares about after such an incredible accomplishment is a memory I will hold onto for a very long time.

The older I get, the more I realize that some of life’s best moments start with a simple decision.

Get in the car.

Make the trip.

Buy the ticket.

Say yes.

Life gives us plenty of reasons to stay home, wait for a better time, or convince ourselves something is too much trouble.

But some things are worth the effort.

Some memories are worth the drive.

And sometimes the best adventures begin with a slightly crazy idea on a Friday night.

Spontaneity Making memories Family first Showing up Time together Living fully Meaningful moments Seriously Muskoka

Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to remind people what's possible.1092 Main Street in Dorset has recently...
06/11/2026

Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to remind people what's possible.

1092 Main Street in Dorset has recently received an exterior refresh, making it the perfect time to reintroduce this rare commercial waterfront opportunity on Lake of Bays.

With approximately 483 feet of west-facing frontage on Trading Bay, commercial zoning, existing marina infrastructure, docking facilities, and a commercial building that is currently operating as a restaurant with a 30-person liquor licence, this property offers opportunities that are becoming increasingly difficult to find in Muskoka.

The property also includes a log cabin footprint, adding another layer of potential for future use, subject to municipal approvals.

Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or someone with a vision for waterfront commercial development, opportunities like this rarely come to market on Lake of Bays.

Add in walkable access to Dorset's shops and restaurants, excellent exposure from both Main Street and the water, and spectacular sunset views, and it's easy to see why this property deserves another look.

📍1092 Main Street, Dorset
📍483' of frontage on Trading Bay
📍Commercial zoning
📍Restaurant operation with liquor licence
📍Marina infrastructure and waterfront access

Interested in learning more? Let's talk.

Lake of Bays Commercial Property Dorset Ontario Real Estate Lake of Bays Waterfront
Commercial Waterfront Property. Muskoka Commercial Real Estate Waterfront Investment Property Lake of Bays Investment Opportunity Muskoka Investment Property
Commercial Development Opportunity Marina property for sale

06/10/2026

Not all happy dances are about the sale.
Sometimes they’re about what happens after.

When we first met these clients, they were completely new to Muskoka. They didn’t know the lakes, the communities, or where they wanted to be. They knew they wanted a cottage. 

So we started where we always do.

We listened.

We toured properties across different areas, talked about lifestyle, budget, long-term plans, and what “the right fit” actually looked like for them.

Over time, a clear picture started to emerge.

What they wanted.

What they didn’t want.

What would make them happy not just today, but years from now.

Eventually, we found it.

The right property.

But our job didn’t stop there.

We helped them navigate negotiations, inspections, and all the moving pieces that come with buying in an unfamiliar market. Even after the deal was firm, we connected them with local services and resources to help make the transition easier.

So yes, when this review came through, there may have been a little happy dance in the car.

Because reviews like this remind us that real estate is never just about buying a property.

It’s about helping people feel confident in one of the biggest decisions they’ll ever make.

Thank you for trusting us with your Muskoka journey. We are so happy that you found a place you love.

Muskoka real estate Buyer representation  Moving to Muskoka Muskoka lifestyle  Waterfront property
 Local expertise  Client experience
 Seriously Muskoka

06/05/2026

Is your home or cottage for sale?
When was the last time you cut the grass?

It sounds simple, but curb appeal starts before buyers even get out of the car.

An overgrown lawn can make a property feel neglected, even when the inside is spotless. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to make a great first impression is simply keeping the grass cut and the exterior looking cared for.

And here’s something many sellers don’t realize…

Just because your property has sold does not necessarily mean you can put the lawn mower away.

Many Agreements of Purchase and Sale require the property to be maintained right up until closing. That includes things like lawn care, snow removal, and general upkeep.

The last thing you want on closing day, while you’re packing boxes and coordinating movers, is a call asking why the grass hasn’t been cut.

Selling a home or cottage is often about the little details.

And sometimes, the little details can make a big difference.

Muskoka real estate  Selling your home  Selling a cottage  Curb appeal  Home selling tips  Muskoka cottage Real estate advice Closing day

06/04/2026

Buyer POV:
"At that price, I doubt it's selling anytime soon."

We have been hearing this quite a bit recently.

There seems to be a belief that higher-priced waterfront properties sit on the market for months waiting for the right buyer to come along.

Sometimes that happens.
But often, that is not the case.

Since May 1, 66 waterfront properties have changed hands in Muskoka.
The median days on market? Just 21.

That means buyers are still actively purchasing waterfront properties. They are simply being more selective about what they choose.

And here is another interesting number.
In May 2025, waterfront properties sold for a median of 95.8% of asking price.
In May 2026, that number was 96.8%.

Despite all the noise about the market slowing down, buyers are still stepping forward and paying very close to asking price when they believe a property offers strong value.

The reality is that buyers are not only competing on price.

They are competing for the right property.

The right lake.
The right shoreline.
The right privacy.
The right exposure.
The right location.

When a property checks the right boxes and is priced appropriately, it can move much faster than people expect.

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is assuming that because a property is expensive, it will still be available next month.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

The goal is not to rush into a decision. The goal is to understand which properties are likely to attract attention and which ones may give you more time to think.

The headlines may suggest that nothing is selling.

The numbers tell a different story.

If you are searching for a waterfront property in Muskoka, focus less on the headlines and more on the opportunities that align with your lifestyle and goals. Those are the properties worth paying attention to.




Muskoka waterfront market Luxury waterfront properties Buying a cottage in Muskoka Waterfront real estate Muskoka Luxury cottage market Muskoka waterfront sales Waterfront property values Muskoka luxury real estate Seriously Muskoka

What would make you step out of your comfort zone and onto a stage in front of hundreds of people? For me, the answer is...
06/02/2026

What would make you step out of your comfort zone and onto a stage in front of hundreds of people? For me, the answer is simple: doing something unforgettable for my kids.

There are not many things that could convince me to get up on a stage and perform in front of hundreds of people.

My daughter is one of them.

A few months ago, one of the teachers from my daughter’s dance studio reached out to the parents of the graduating dancers with a fun idea for the year-end recital. Would we be willing to learn a dance and surprise them?

Without thinking too hard about what I was agreeing to, I said yes.

Fast forward to this past Saturday night when myself and four other awesome dance parents took the stage in front of a packed theatre.

And honestly? It was so much fun.

There were secret practices at the studio, many secret rehearsals in my living room, and more than a few run-throughs in my car (not while I was driving...)

Keeping it a secret was hard.

Seeing the looks on their faces when we walked on stage - totally worth it!

As parents, we spend so much time cheering from the audience, driving to practices, helping with costumes, and supporting from the sidelines. This weekend, we got to be part of the show.

Was I nervous? F -- k yes!

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

Sometimes the best memories come from saying yes to something that scares you a little.

And sometimes, you do crazy things because you love your kids.

This was definitely one of those times.

dance mom · raising teenagers · proud parent · family first · creating memories · dance community · saying yes to life · Muskoka lifestyle

05/29/2026

Many of our buyers live hours away from Muskoka.

They have demanding careers, busy family schedules, packed weekends, and calendars that don’t always allow them to jump in the car every time a new listing appears.

That is where our process becomes valuable.

Think of us as your local team on the ground.

While you’re in the city living your life, we’re here watching the market, attending agent open houses, previewing properties, and staying connected to what is happening in real time.

When a property that matches your criteria comes to market, we do not simply send you the listing and wish you luck.

We walk through it.

We assess the setting, the shoreline, the privacy, the access, and the details that photos often miss. We take videos, provide honest feedback, and help you determine whether a property deserves a closer look.

Often times we are aware of opportunities before they officially hit the market. Sometimes we can gather valuable insight from our relationships within the local real estate community.

This is one of the reasons we place such a high value on collaborative relationships with other Muskoka agents. Strong local connections often lead to better information, smoother transactions, and opportunities that benefit our buyers.

Our goal is simple.

We help you spend less time driving, less time guessing, and more time focusing on the properties that truly fit your goals.

You do not need to live in Muskoka to buy in Muskoka.

You just need a local team that treats your search as seriously as you do.

Buying a cottage in Muskoka Buying a home in Muskoka Muskoka waterfront real estate Muskoka property search
Working with Muskoka realtors Muskoka cottage market Muskoka real estate advice

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