Skip to content

North Bay waterfront properties jump in value, but still relatively cheap

41 per cent of Ontarians feel that high housing prices in their primary housing market will discourage them from purchasing a recreational property in addition to owning a primary residence
lake nipissing turl 2016
Lake Nipissing near Birch's Road. Photo by Jeff Turl.

The price for waterfront recreational properties in North bay jumped 21 per cent over the past year, but still looks cheap compared to its neighbours in Parry Sound or Orillia.

Ahead of the Canada Day long weekend, which many Canadians will spend at a cottage or cabin, RE/MAX released its 2017 Recreational Property Report this morning. The report highlights trends and pricing information in recreational property markets across Canada including North Bay, Haliburton, Wasaga Beach, the Kawarthas, Grand Bend and the Rideau Lakes Region among other Ontario regions.

Key findings includd:

  • 41 per cent of Ontarians feel that high housing prices in their primary housing market will discourage them from purchasing a recreational property in addition to owning a primary residence
  • More than 1 in 4 Ontarians (27 per cent) would consider buying with a family member in order to help finance recreational property ownership
  • Over a quarter of Canadians (28 per cent) with children under the age of 18 would consider selling their primary residence in the city in which they live to help finance the purchase of a cottage or cabin
  • Young families are fueling demand: 73 per cent of regions surveyed reported that young families with children drive demand for recreational properties
  • Buyers are increasingly selling their homes in Canada’s two largest urban centres and using the equity from the sale to purchase a cottage, cabin or ski chalet
  • Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadian millennials (18-34 years old) would consider buying a recreational property in the next 10 years

Region

Housing Type

2015/2016 Median Price

2016/2017 Median Price

Year-over-year median price

2015/2016 Sales

2016/2017 Sales

Year-over-year sales

Bruce Peninsula

Waterfront

$329,572

$376,398

14.21%

109

147

34.86%

Bruce Peninsula

Non-waterfront

$208,041

$272,114

30.80%

332

383

15.36%

Grand Bend

Non-waterfront

$247,000

$290,000

17.41%

128

239

86.72%

Haliburton

Waterfront

$206,628

$240,067

16.18%

244

347

42.21%

Haliburton

Non-waterfront

$46,573

$66,038

41.79%

368

516

40.22%

Haliburton

Water Access

$189,623

$210,000

10.75%

116

127

9.48%

Parry Sound

Waterfront

$380,000

$410,000

7.89%

231

287

24.24%

WasagaBeach/Southern Georgian Bay

Non-waterfront

$324,065

$393,237

21.35%

610

601

-1.48%

Orillia

Waterfront

$365,000

$441,500

20.96%

244

257

5.33%

North Bay

Waterfront

$236,000

$286,000

21.19%

99

131

32.32%

Peterborough and Kawarthas (East)

Waterfront

$390,000

$425,000

8.97%

456

497

8.99%

Prince Edward County

Waterfront

$415,000

$575,000

38.55%

126

139

10.32%

Bancroft

Waterfront

$278,000

$308,000

10.79%

200

173

-13.50%

Rideau Lakes

Waterfront

$386,000

$452,000

17.10%

44

101

129.55%

Rideau Lakes

Non-waterfront

$195,000

$206,000

5.64%

338

400

18.34%

* Year-over-year median price changes were only recorded for housing types in regions with more than 100 sales


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
Read more

Reader Feedback