Real Talk!

Things are happening in cottage country. Resorts, lodges, inns, hotels, motels, B&Bs and other leisure and tourism business appear to be gaining market. Advertising initiatives promoting fall in Ontario may be credited for some of the influx of activity.

Bill Duron, an experienced tourism leader and media executive, has been reappointed for a second term as Chair of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC).

The McGuinty government has been very supportive of recreation programs and is expected to continue to develop partnerships within the industry. This same government has supported rural economic development and has promised to continue their investments in the rural Ontario infrastructure.

After the recent election, Mr. McGuinty announced plans to create an Eastern Ontario development fund and help restore historic downtown areas of rural towns. Further, in addition to having already uploaded health care costs and ½ the ambulance costs, the Liberals plan to upload the entire burden of the Ontario Disability Support Program and the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan.

The Liberals have already launched a Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Source Delivery Review that they believe will set the tone for long- term solutions to the downloading issue.

Chris White, the chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, is quoted as saying, “Cities may be the engines of growth, but rural communities provide much of what fuels that growth and development.”

White also indicates future government attention providing improved information and communications technology, transportation- as well as infrastructure and other issues critical to sustaining the growth of new opportunities and new business in rural areas.

Chris White says, “We need to ensure that policy cultivates strength across all municipalities, including rural communities in particular.”

This is all good news for the greater Bancroft, Haliburton and Barry’s Bay areas.

Ontario in-bound visits rose 1.4% in 2006 to 114.8 million visits. We expect inbound visit growth to continue in 2007 and 2008, up 2.3% and 1.8% respectively.

Intra-provincial travelers is expected to grow to 98.3 million in 2011, reflecting an average annual compound rate of 1.6% and travel from overseas origins is expected to be robust in the coming five years.

Development interest and new projects in the area are also more evident. Local Realtors ® report a notable increase in interest in commercial, industrial and development properties.

The word on the street is that this area is ready to bust wide open and boom.

This is not surprising. It has been coming for a long while. Saturation in markets west of us, like Muskoka and Collingwood, even Huntsville and Haliburton has driven the consumer east, in recent years. The increasing demand has contributed to consistent increases in prices.

And, overall, it isn’t slowing down.

Buyers should consult a local Realtor ® for representation. A local Realtor ® can and will provide valuable information with regard to the historic and current marketplace.

While nobody can predict with 100% accuracy – the leading experts all share the belief that our precious rural Ontario, cottage country property is going to continue to rise in value. Given the state of the world, does that really surprise anyone?

Properties for Sale listings have been declining in cottage country at an alarming rate. Local by-law officials seem to be more restrictive about severances- perhaps more clues that securing a rural retirement, recreational or residential property may be getting more and more difficult.

I'm happy to already be a Hastings County property owner.

Believe it or not… I’ve been asked many times, “when is the best time to buy?” It just might be now.