Rising confidence levels, lower values, and favourable supply spark buyer enthusiasm in Canadian recreational property markets, says RE/MAX
77 per cent of recreational markets reported stagnant starting prices or a year-over-year decline
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Greater stability is returning to recreational markets as demand gains traction in major Canadian centres, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.
The RE/MAX Recreational Property Report 2013 found that many markets have experienced a rebound in activity— set in motion by softer values and better selection—in recent months. Starting prices are down or unchanged in 77 per cent (24/31) of markets examined in 2013, prompting renewed interest. As a result, recreational sales are projected to match and/or exceed 2012 levels by year-end in almost 70 per cent (20/30) of centres.
The shift can be attributed to six major factors:
- Confidence is growing in overall economic performance.
- Selection of recreational product is at its best level in recent years.
- Prices have softened in many Canadian markets.
- Paper wealth accumulated in the stock market in recent years is making its way into recreational property markets.
- Purchasers are bypassing tighter financing criteria through HELOCs (Home Equity Line of Credit) on their principle residence.
- Increased foreign and out-of-province investment.
"Despite the solid pace of residential real estate activity following the 2008/2009 recession, recreational property markets failed to follow suit," says Gurinder Sandhu, Executive Vice President, Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "It's been a soft five years for the most part, with improvement slow, but consistent. Given the steady momentum of today's market, there are indications that 2013 could emerge as the turning point. Excellent value exists in cottage/resort communities from coast to coast, but the window of greatest opportunity is likely drawing to a close."
Some of that upward momentum is already evident in Western Canadian markets, the first to feel the effects of the downturn. Recreational property sales in seven of the 10 markets (70 per cent) examined in the Recreational Property Report are on par or ahead of year-ago levels. Greater political stability in British Columbia, where the Liberals now have a clear mandate to govern, and fewer purchasers looking south of the border have served to bolster sales of recreational product on waterfront and mountain top.
"Southern U.S. destinations presented some serious competition from 2006 onward, with prices that were a fraction of Western Canadian starting costs for recreational property," says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. "However, the bounce back we've seen in American housing markets this year, combined with renewed upward pressure on values, and—in some instances—challenging logistics are once again prompting purchasers to consider their Canadian recreational options."
In fact, the report found that recreational product is gaining traction once again among foreign and out-of-province purchasers in markets nationwide. With the allure of the U.S. dissipating, there has been a noticeable uptick in sales of cottages, ski/resort properties, and second homes in centres such as Salt Spring Island (U.S. and Ontario), Whistler (Hong Kong and Singapore), Bracebridge/Gravenhurst (Europe and Asia), and Nova Scotia's South Shore/Lunenburg (U.K.).
Baby boomers continue to be the most active demographic in the recreational market, with a strong focus on ownership. Some are buying properties with an eye toward retirement (year-round living), while others are hoping to introduce the simpler lifestyle to younger generations. More mature boomers are opting for existing and proposed residential development on the waterfront, offering all the comforts of home, but none of the upkeep. Ontario's Midland/Penetang/Tiny/Tay and Huntsville are prime examples. With recreational product ever-evolving, it's getting tougher to classify what constitutes recreational vs. residential product.
"Whether they're buying for full-time usage or for family enjoyment, the desire to own a piece of paradise remains front and centre among baby boomers," says Sandhu. "This demographic continues to be the single most influential driver of recreational market trends, and they're not that keen on compromise. Most are waiting for the right property to present itself—once it does, this savvy segment is prepared to act."
After years of strong activity, the trend toward teardowns has subsided. When it comes to the ideal property, most continue to take the "watch and wait" approach. In some cases, there are simply no 'traditional cottages' left to teardown, while in others, the high cost of construction is prompting purchasers to investigate more attractively-priced resale product. There are some exceptions to the rule including Whistler in BC, Canmore and Sylvan Lake in Alberta, Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Lakes, Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Ontario's Grand Bend, Bala/Port Carling, Midland, Innisfil to Oro, and Eastern Ontario markets, Shediac Bay in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, where new builds continue unabated.
Affordability remains top of mind with Canadian purchasers, with the RE/MAX Recreational Property Report identifying the $250,000 to $500,000 segment as strongest in terms of sales activity. However, there has been growing number of luxury properties reported sold this year in Ontario markets such as Prince Edward County, Collingwood, Honey Harbour, Grand Bend, Haliburton, and Innisfil to Oro.
Gains in the stock markets, realized in recent years, are also expected to have an impact on recreational markets moving forward.
"In the past, money made in the stock market has filtered into the real estate market," says Ash. "With the price of secondary product so enticing, we expect the trend to continue in markets throughout the country."
The improving economic climate is also a major factor in growing demand. Purchasers were quick to hop on the bandwagon for residential properties during the lull in 2009—2013 could be the equivalent of that year in terms of recreational product. The next four to five months tend to be busiest for recreational properties and, if the current pattern holds, most markets should post growth by year-end.
| RE/MAX RECREATIONAL PROPERTY REPORT 2013 - STARTING PRICES FOR RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES1 | |||||
| Market | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR - Newfoundland Coast (East) |
n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| NEW BRUNSWICK - Shediac Bay2 | $200,000 | $230,000 | $450,000 - $500,000 | $375,000 - $425,000 | $300,000 |
| NOVA SCOTIA - Cape Breton | n.a. | n.a. | $279,000 | $175,000 - $250,000 | $210,000 |
| South Shore/Lunenburg2 | $230,000 | $230,000 - $240,000 | $230,000 - $240,000 | $245,000 | $225,000 |
| PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND - North Shore/South Shore2 |
$300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 - $350,000 | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| ONTARIO - | |||||
| Eastern Ontario: | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| Barry's Bay/Combermere | n.a. | $200,000 | $300,000 | $289,000 | $249,000 |
| Bancroft/Coe Hill | $260,000 | $235,000 | $265,000 | $275,000 | $250,000 |
| Apsley | $375,000 | $400,000 | $389,000 | $399,000 | $399,000 |
| Kingston | $250,000- $270,000 | $290,000 | $300,000 | $250,000 | $260,000 |
| Prince Edward County | $200,000-$250,000 | $200,000 - $250,000 | $300,000 | $265,000 - $300,000 | $250,000 - $300,000 |
| East Kawarthas | $195,000 | $225,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Lake Simcoe/Lake Couchiching: | |||||
| Beaverton | $300,000 | $375,000 | $300,000 | $329,000 | $329,000 |
| Lagoon City | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Innisfil to Oro | $500,000 | $520,000 - $530,000 | $520,000 - $530,000 | $520,000 - $530,000 | $550,000 - $575,000 |
| Orillia | $425,000 | $430,000 | $440,000 | $450,000 | $450,000 |
| Georgian Bay: | |||||
| Wasaga Beach3 | $525,000 | $570,000 | $640,000 | $640,000 | $499,000 |
| Midland/Penetang/Tiny/Tay | $500,000 | $550,000 | $500,000 - $600,000 | $450,000 - $500,000 | $450,000 - $500,000 |
| Collingwood | $390,000 - $550,000 | $600,000 | $600,000 | $600,000 | $600,000 |
| Honey Harbour/Port Severn | $400,000 - $425,000 | $450,000 | $450,000 | $375,000 | $375,000 |
| Muskoka/Haliburton: | |||||
| Haliburton | $240,000 - $350,000 | $350,000 | $325,000 | $240,000 - $250,000 | $240,000 - $250,000 |
| Huntsville/Lake of Bays | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Bracebridge/Gravenhurst | $350,000 - $400,000 | $325,000 | $325,000 - $350,000 | $325,000 - $350,000 | $350,000 |
| Bala/Port Carling | $450,000 | $450,000 | $500,000 - $550,000 | $650,000 | $699,000 |
| Parry Sound | $185,000 | $219,900 | $225,000 | $225,000 | $225,000 |
| Lake Huron: | |||||
| Sauble Beach/Bruce Peninsula | $350,000 | $350,000 | $350,000 | $330,000 | $300,000 |
| Port Elgin/Southampton | $450,000 | $450,000 | $450,000 | $475,000 | $425,000 - $450,000 |
| Grand Bend | $400,000 | $425,000 | $475,000 | $425,000 | $400,000 |
| MANITOBA - Lake Winnipeg | $300,000 | $250,000 | $280,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| SASKATCHEWAN - Qu'Appelle Lakes/ Last Mountain Lake |
$300,000 - $350,000 | $400,000 | $400,000 - $500,000 | $400,000 - $500,000 | $400,000 |
| ALBERTA - Sylvan Lake | $1,125,000 | $1,200,000 | $800,000 | $750,000 | $750,000 |
| Canmore4 | $295,000 | $270,000 | $229,000 | $195,000 | $225,000 |
| BRITISH COLUMBIA - Okanagan Valley: | |||||
| North Okanagan | $1,200,000 | $1,150,000 | $995,000 | $900,000 | $900,000 |
| The Shuswap | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | $585,000 | $585,000 |
| South Okanagan | $800,000 | $800,000 | $800,000 | $610,000 | $649,000 |
| Fraser Valley: Cultus Lake | $450,000 | $800,000 | $800,000 - $1,000,000 | $650,000 | $799,000 - $1.2 million |
| Harrison Lake | n.a. | n.a. | $350,000 - $400,000 | $365,000 - $499,000 | $289,000 |
| Vancouver Island: Tofino2 | $789,000 | $875,000 | $825,000 | $795,000 | $769,000 |
| Ucluelet2 | $555,000 | $499,000 | $529,000 | $500,000 | $549,000 |
| Comox Valley/Mt. Washington | $500,000 | $475,000 | $400,0004 - $700,0001 | $92,0004 - $400,0001 | $329,0004 - $459,0001 |
| Whistler5 | n.a. | $799,000 | $700,000 | $700,000 | $700,000 |
| Gulf Islands: Salt Spring Island2 | $890,000 | $750,000 - $800,000 | $669,000 | $597,000 | $559,000 |
| Source: RE/MAX | |||||
| 1Starting price for a three-bedroom, winterized recreational property on a standard-sized waterfront lot, 2Oceanfront property, 3Beachfront property, 4Two-bedroom condominium, 5Mountain chalet, 6Water-access property |
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To view the full RE/MAX Recreational Property Report 2013, click here: http://rem.ax/12edQAs
To view the RE/MAX Recreational Property Report 2013 video, click here: http://rem.ax/12lxfey
RE/MAX is Canada's leading real estate organization with over 19,000 sales associates located in 750 independently-owned and operated offices nationwide. The RE/MAX network, now in its 40th year, is a global real estate system operating in more than 90 countries, with over 6,300 independently-owned offices and more than 89,500 member sales associates. RE/MAX associates lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, and asset management. For more information, visit: www.remax.ca.
SOURCE: RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada
David Brown
RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada
905.542.2400
Eva Blay/Charlene McAdam
Point Blank Communications
416.781.3911
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