Cottage Reflections

WhiteshellResidentRealtor FalconLake,Manitoba Local:(204)349-8501 WinnipegCell:(204)941-9959 Email:duncan@whiteshellcottages.com whiteshellcottages.com PaulDuncan Toll-Free: 877-468-9871 YourLakeoftheWoodsAreaSpecialist Landry'sforRealEstateKenora BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLYOWNEDANDOPERATED www.royallepagekenora.ca bY JUDY OWEN FOR THE FREE PRESS IF HISTORY IS ANY INDICATION, REALTORS WON'T HAVE TO bE TOO WORRIED AbOUT THE IMPACT OF A SECOND STRAIGHT LATE SPRING ON THE COTTAGE MARkET. During last year's seemingly never-ending winter, realtors were a bit nervous about slow sales, but the market quickly heated up along with the weather. That has Interlake Real Estate & Insurance broker Chris Neufeld optimistic this year's slow snow melt and lingering cold temperatures will lead to a happy déjà vu. "It was our best year ever," Neufeld said of 2013, noting agents from the firm's offices were involved in 343 deals. "We had 10 of our 12 agents in the top per cent in the province so we had a fantastic year, it just started late. We had an amazing summer in terms of June, July and August." Interlake Real Estate covers one of Manitoba's more popular cottaging areas on Lake Winnipeg, which includes Gimli, Winnipeg Beach and Hecla/ Grindstone Provincial Park. "This year, March was a little bit slower and April was somewhat better," Neufeld said. "But as soon as we get some warm weather, people will be out and about and they'll be thinking about recreational properties. "A lot of the cottage sales are the result of people coming out to visit friends or relatives and then they get the idea that maybe having a cottage might be a good idea." Paul Duncan of Sigmar Mackenzie Real Estate Services is in his 21st year as a realtor specializing in cottages in popular Whiteshell Provincial Park. He also saw showings and sales take a hit with this year's long, cold spring, but he's confident things will rebound. "Of course it slows right down during every winter, but there usually is some activity with folks venturing out here to the Whiteshell, but not so much this April," Duncan said. "But this delay just means that when we do start promoting properties, it'll be busier than ever. It's kind of amazing when the sun comes out and it turns warm and it's melting a bit in Winnipeg, my phone starts ringing." Past numbers back up his optimism. Last year, Duncan sold 39 properties, similar to the 41 cottages that sold in 2012 when Winnipeggers experienced the warmest March in 140 years. "I think it's going to be a busy year and a good year," said Duncan, whose clientele is mostly from Winnipeg and southeastern Manitoba. The Whiteshell includes the most-populated areas of Falcon Lake and West Hawk Lake, but the natural, rugged beauty extends to a wide variety of other lakes such as Caddy, Jessica, Brereton and Nutimik. One reason Neufeld is optimistic about a strong season in the Interlake is the current economic climate and market conditions. "All the ingredients are in place that the market will still be robust," Neufeld said. "We have lots of listings so it's not like there's a shortage of supply. "Supply is in place, interest rates are low and prices are still very reasonable compared to let's say the Whiteshell or Lake of the Woods, so we're in a very, very good position to have a very good year." Prices in the Interlake range from about $80,000 to $150,000 for cottages on a backlot and $250,000 to $500,000 for lakefront properties, many of which are still older cottages, Neufeld noted. More people are also looking for cottages they can use year-round, Neufeld added. Duncan is confident demand will remain high in the Whiteshell despite this year's start of long- term rent and service fee increases in Manitoba's provincial parks. "There's always a market," Duncan said. "It's an easy drive to get out here. Pretty much in an hour and a half you can get to any location in the Whiteshell. "We also have amenities throughout the park – different stores and resorts where you can get your newspaper and you can get your quart of milk. You don't have to drive 20 miles down the road to go and get these things. "It's the convenience plus all the services we have in the park such as hiking trails, a golf course, horseback riding, and in the wintertime snowmobile trails. And our lakes are pristine." The Whiteshell is gaining a reputation of having expensive cottages, but Duncan said there's a range of affordable properties, especially outside the south areas of Falcon Lake and West Hawk Lake. "The low end of any cottage in the Whiteshell, you'd probably be starting at $150,000 and it can go up to a million and a half," Duncan said, noting a lot of new cottages are being built in the northern part of the park. Neufeld also points out the Interlake's convenient distance from Winnipeg, adding some summer cottagers commute the hour drive to their work in the city. "The lake is the main attraction," he said. "Then if you get up into the Gimli area there's shopping, health care, recreation. People like to be near those things." ❚ cottage market should heat uP along with the weather this 2,400-square-foot, year-round lakefront cottage at west hawk lake in whiteshell provincial park was listed for $775,000 last year and sold in 11 days. photo courtesy of paul duncan, sigmar mackenZie real estate services. OPENINGJULY2014 LakeManitobaBeachFront LakeManitobaBeachFront CottagesSTILLAVAILABLE! CottagesSTILLAVAILABLE! We have re-invented the FAMILY LAKEFRONT COTTAGE to make it affordable for you! 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