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National Post

The markets: A cautious return to cottage country

Despite a raft of challenges in 2025 — delayed listings, shifting buyer priorities, broader economic and political uncertainty — Ontario's recreational property market is showing signs of stabilization following several years of pandemic-fuelled volatility. Article content According to Royal LePage, the median price of a single-family recreational home in Canada is forecasted to rise by 4 percent in 2025, with all provincial markets expected to experience some level of price growth. In Ontario, a late spring thaw pushed back listing activity, particularly for seasonal properties, many of which remained inaccessible or unprepared well into April. Article content Article content Article content 'The delayed thaw meant many sellers waited until mid- to late spring to list their cottages,' says Pauline Aunger, broker of record with Royal LePage Advantage Real Estate in Smiths Falls, Ont. 'Seasonal cottages weren't open yet. Water lines weren't in, docks weren't in and interiors were still cold.' Article content Despite the slower start, interest remains 'consistent,' Aunger says. While some buyers are taking a wait-and-see approach due to political concerns and financial market volatility, others are showing motivation. A recent Royal LePage survey found that nearly half of recreational real-estate professionals reported stable buyer demand compared to 2024. Article content Meanwhile, affordability and practicality are increasingly shaping buyer decisions. Properties with reliable high-speed Internet access, year-round road maintenance and potential for primary residence use are in higher demand, Aunger says, particularly among buyers looking to work from the dock. Article content Article content Short-term rental regulations are also influencing market behaviour. In Ontario, 36 percent of real-estate professionals surveyed by Royal LePage reported a dip in buyers intending to rent out recreational properties, as new restrictions limit cottages' income-generating potential. Article content REMAX's 2025 Canadian Cabin and Cottage Trends Report also notes that trade tensions and policy shifts have impacted buyer confidence. Approximately one in five potential buyers indicated that they were postponing purchasing decisions due to U.S. tariff concerns. However, lower interest rates have improved affordability, helping to sustain moderate activity levels. Families now represent the majority of buyers in Ontario's recreational markets, a shift from previous years when retirees dominated.