More Canadians plan to rent out their cottages or cabins to help finance ownership: 2016 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report

Over half of regions surveyed report an increase in buyers planning to rent out their recreational property

• Growing popularity of user-driven vacation rental websites is making it easier for owners to finance recreational properties
• Baby Boomers are fueling demand: 53 per cent of regions surveyed report an increase in retiree or near-retirement buyers compared to last year
• The low dollar is prompting Canadians to sell their U.S. property and reinvest in Canadian recreational regions, and is attracting Americans to the Canadian market
• Quiet and privacy rated as features important to most Canadians in a cottage or cabin – beating out beaches and water access

TORONTO, KELOWNA, ON and LAVAL, ON, June 15, 2016 /CNW/ - As real estate prices rise, many Canadians are looking for alternative ways to finance their dreams of cottage and cabin ownership. In a recent survey of RE/MAX agents and brokers, more than half reported seeing an increase in buyers who planned to rent out their property full- or part-time. In a separate survey of Canadians, conducted by Leger, nearly 60 per cent agreed that due to the emergence of popular, user-driven vacation rental websites, it is easier for an owner to rent out an investment property today versus five years ago. The same survey found that millennials are most likely to have spent time at a cottage or cabin in the last year.

"Young Canadians are sustaining demand for access to recreational properties," said Pamela Alexander, CEO and Regional Owner, North America, RE/MAX INTEGRA. "This provides an opportunity for buyers to finance their second homes, and we are seeing this most notably in high demand areas such as Grand Bend, Ontario, Tofino, B.C., and Quebec's Eastern Townships."

In most of the regions that reported an increase in buyers planning to rent out their properties, demand is driven primarily by families and retirees, rather than investors. Retirees were reported as being key drivers of demand in 83 per cent of regions surveyed, and 53 per cent of regions reported an increase in retiree buyers this year compared to last year.

"As the large demographic of Baby Boomers retires, we are seeing sellers who benefitted from significant price appreciation in cities like Vancouver and Toronto putting that equity into recreational markets, which is causing prices to increase in those regions," said Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. "Some buyers who may still be five or 10 years away from retirement are taking the opportunity to enter those markets now, renting out their property until they are ready to retire."

This effect has been especially pronounced in British Columbia, where significant price increases in the Lower Mainland are encouraging buyers to invest in regions such as the Okanagan and the Gulf Islands.

Low dollar boosting Canadian recreational regions

The low Canadian dollar is having a positive effect on Canada's recreational property markets. Canadians, mainly Baby Boomers, who bought properties in the U.S. when U.S. real estate prices were comparably low are selling them at a profit and investing in Canadian recreational markets. The low dollar is also encouraging Canadians to vacation within the country rather than going abroad, putting their money into vacation rentals closer to home.

Some regions, particularly established recreational destinations with international reputations such as Whistler, the Muskokas and Mont Tremblant, are seeing foreign buyers, primarily from the U.S., return to those markets. Cape Breton Island, which recently made international news when a website "Cape Breton If Donald Trump Wins" gained the attention of high-profile news media, has seen increased interest from prospective U.S. buyers this year due to the publicity boost, combined with favourable exchange rates.

Canadians looking for a little peace and quiet

In a survey of Canadians, 94 per cent said that when thinking about spending a weekend at a cottage or cabin, a quiet atmosphere was rated as an important feature, followed closely by privacy (91%). Peace and quiet ranked above sandy beaches (75%), access to water (75%) and outdoor activities (74%). This was true for Canadians in all age groups and across all regions.

When considering purchasing a recreational property, it is important for buyers to take into account their personal priorities and preferences, as well as factors such as location, traffic and amenities. For example, buyers who value quiet and privacy over water access may find a short walk or drive to the beach is a better option than a waterfront property. An experienced real estate agent with local expertise can help prospective buyers know all the options within their budget and make an informed choice.

For the full 2016 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report including data and pricing chart, click here.

2015/2016 and 2014/2015 Median Prices (Large Markets)

Region	Housing Type	2014/2015 Median Price	2015/2016 Median Price	Year-over-year (%)
Ucluelet	Non-waterfront	$300,000	$350,000	16.67%
Squamish	Non-waterfront	$415,000	$499,000	20.24%
Whistler	Non-waterfront	$550,000	$440,000	-20.00%*
Whistler	Ski-in	$398,000	$375,000	-5.78%*
100 Mile House	Waterfront	$295,000	$345,000	16.95%
100 Mile House	Non-waterfront	$195,000	$216,000	10.77%
South Okanagan	Waterfront	$345,000	$382,283	10.81%
South Okanagan	Non-waterfront	$409,000	$426,000	4.16%
Canmore	Non-waterfront	$511,000	$533,090	4.32%
Qu'Appelle Valley	Non-waterfront	$209,000	$211,000	0.96%
Parry Sound and Georgian Bay	Waterfront	$380,000	$400,000	5.26%
Parry Sound and Georgian Bay	Non-waterfront	$230,000	$260,000	13.04%
Grand Bend area	Non-waterfront	$247,000	$375,000	51.82%
Collingwood	Waterfront	$552,500	$575,000	4.07%
Orillia	Waterfront	$350,000	$365,000	4.29%
Orillia	Non-waterfront	$260,000	$280,000	7.69%
Peterborough and Kawarthas (East)	Waterfront	$352,500	$385,000	9.22%
Prince Edward Island	Waterfront	$206,357	$199,832	-3.16%

*Median price decrease in Whistler attributed to increased sales of fractional ownership properties. Average price for all property types in Whistler increased.

Key Findings from 2016 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report Omnibus Survey

• 81% of Canadians have spent time at a cottage or cabin
  • BC: 78%
  • Alberta: 70%
  • Manitoba/Saskatchewan: 88%
  • Ontario: 86%
  • Quebec: 74%
  • Atlantic: 89%
• Millennials (18-34) are most likely to have spent time at a cottage or cabin in the past year, compared with Canadians in other age groups

• 58% of Canadians agree that online vacation rental services have made it easier to rent out an investment property versus five years ago

• More than half of Canadians agree that a recreational property is a good financial investment

• Features and amenities rated most important when thinking of a weekend at a cottage or cabin:
  
  
  • Canadians:

1. Quiet atmosphere: 94%
2. Privacy: 91%
3. Sandy beaches: 75%
4. Water access: 75%

• British Columbians:

1. Privacy: 89%
2. Quiet atmosphere: 88%
3. Sandy beaches: 75%
4. Outdoor activities: 75%

• Albertans:

1. Quiet atmosphere: 96%
2. Privacy: 94%
3. Sandy beaches: 81%
4. Outdoor activities: 77%

• Manitobans/Saskatchewanians:

1. Quiet atmosphere: 91%
2. Privacy: 87%
3. Swimming: 82%
4. Sandy beaches: 81%

• Ontarians:

1. Quiet atmosphere: 93%
2. Privacy: 92%
3. Swimming: 80%
4. Sandy beaches: 79%

• Quebecers:

1. Quiet atmosphere: 97%
2. Privacy: 91%
3. Water access: 77%
4. Sandy beaches: 68%

• Atlantic Canadians:

1. Quiet atmosphere: 97%
2. Privacy: 89%
3. Outdoor activities: 76%
4. Sandy beaches: 64%

About the RE/MAX Network:

RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence.

Over 100,000 agents provide RE/MAX a global reach of nearly 100 countries.

RE/MAX, LLC, one of the world's leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RMCO, LLC, which is controlled and managed by RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RMAX).

With a passion for the communities in which its agents live and work, RE/MAX is proud to have raised more than $150 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® and other charities.

For more information about RE/MAX, to search home listings or find an agent in your community, please visit www.remax.ca.

About RE/MAX INTEGRA and RE/MAX INTEGRA, Ontario-Atlantic Canada      

RE/MAX INTEGRA, founded in 1980, is a privately held company by Canadian entrepreneurs. With regional headquarters in Toronto, Boston, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Zug, and Vienna, RE/MAX INTEGRA represents nearly a third of all RE/MAX Sales Associates worldwide. The company was founded on the premise of providing outstanding service and support both at the regional level and to the end consumer.

The Ontario-Atlantic Canada region has surpassed 10,000 quality Associates; The US regions — New England and the Midwest (including the following states: Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana) – account for more than 6,500 Associates with over 2,600 and 3,800 Associates respectively; and the European region leads with more than 16,000 Associates. For more information about RE/MAX INTEGRA, visit www.remaxintegra.com.

2016 RE/MAX Recreational Property Broker and Agent Survey 

The 2016 RE/MAX Recreational Property Broker and Agent Survey measures year-over-year median prices, listings and sales for waterfront, non-waterfront, ski-in and water access housing types in key recreational property regions. In addition to providing data from local boards and brokerages, brokers and agents are surveyed on trends, local development and features.  

About Leger 

Leger is the largest Canadian-owned full-service market research firm. An online survey of 1576 Canadians was conducted between May 24 and May 26, 2016, using LegerWeb. Leger's online panel has more than 475,000 members nationally – with between 10,000 and 20,000 new members added each month, and has a retention rate of 90%. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," "project" and other similar words and expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the future performance of the housing market, the Company's financial and operational outlook, the Company's belief that business fundamentals remain strong, as well as other statements regarding the Company's strategic and operational plans. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (1) changes in business and economic activity in general, (2) changes in the real estate market, including changes due to interest rates and availability of financing, (3) the Company's ability to attract and retain quality franchisees, (4) the Company's franchisees' ability to recruit and retain agents, (5) changes in laws and regulations that may affect the Company's business or the real estate market, (6) failure to maintain, protect and enhance the RE/MAX brand (7) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as those risks and uncertainties described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" in the most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and similar disclosures in subsequent reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the investor relations page of the Company's website at www.remax.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. 

SOURCE RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada

To coordinate interviews, please contact: Western Canada, Wade Paterson, O. 250-860-3628; Kristen Learned, O. 604-688-2505; E: [email protected]; Ontario and Atlantic Canada, Shelby Schneider, O. 905-542-2400; Rachael Factor, O. 416-645-3660; C. 416-460-5744; E: [email protected]