July 2025 Market Update: Muskoka Lakes, Huntsville, Lake of Bays & Bracebridge
A clear summer pattern emerged in July: more choice for buyers across the District, steady movement on well-positioned cottages, and a widening spread between waterfront and inland values. Here’s the picture—succinct and actionable.Key Takeaways
• Fastest market: Bracebridge (Median DOM 21, MOI 5.5)—close to balanced.• Luxury driver: Muskoka Lakes (Avg price $2.18M)—iconic big-water addresses still command a premium.
• Deepest inventory: Huntsville (353 active; MOI 8.0)—buyers have negotiating room.
• Most buyer-skewed: Lake of Bays (MOI 10.4)—pricing precision matters; stand-out properties still trade.
Municipality Snapshots
Lake of Bays
• Sales/New/Active (total residential): 13 / 40 / 135- Breakout: Waterfront Active 102, Inland Active 33; Detached only Active 101
- Avg Price: $1,190,796 | Benchmark: $1,017,700 (-2.9% MoM)
• Waterfront vs Inland: $1,281,641 vs $691,150 average.
A clear buyer’s market on paper (MOI >10). That said, A-tier cottages—privacy, level lots, sunset exposure, recent updates—continue to attract attention.
Huntsville
• Sales/New/Active: 44 / 117 / 353• Avg Price: $837,865 | Benchmark: $616,500 (-0.6% MoM)
• Market Tempo: MOI 8.0, Median DOM 41, SNLR 38%
• Waterfront vs Inland: $1,330,811 vs $711,107 average.
Deep inventory = leverage for buyers. Sellers who price to the last 30–60 days (not 2021–22 peaks) still achieve solid outcomes.
Bracebridge
• Sales/New/Active: 38 / 95 / 209• Avg Price: $769,045 | Benchmark: $669,200 (-1.1% MoM)
• Market Tempo: MOI 5.5, Median DOM 21, SNLR 40%
• Waterfront vs Inland: $1,017,500 vs $654,373 average; waterfront SNLR 50% (tighter).
Balanced conditions—well-priced listings move inside ~3 weeks. Waterfront premiums persist for good exposure and turnkey condition.
Muskoka Lakes
• Sales/New/Active: 30 / 68 / 205• Avg Price: $2,176,484 | Benchmark: $1,577,300 (-2.1% MoM)
• Market Tempo: MOI 6.8, Median DOM 37, SNLR 44%
• Waterfront vs Inland: $2,414,712 vs $628,000 average; waterfront SNLR 53%.
The luxury engine remains on—trophy shoreline commands attention, but buyers are value-testing; presentation and pricing discipline are essential.
What This Means
For Sellers
• Price to today, not to memory. With MOI ranging 5.5–10.4, buyers have options. The fastest wins pair sharp pricing with turnkey presentation.• Lead with what buyers can’t replicate: shoreline quality, privacy, exposure, and updated systems. That’s where days-on-market compress and negotiations stay focused on terms, not price.
• Waterfront strategy: In Muskoka Lakes and prime Lake of Bays addresses, expect qualified showings; in Huntsville and inland pockets, be prepared for more due diligence and conditional offers.
For Buyers
• Choice + leverage: Particularly in Huntsville and Lake of Bays, where inventory depth supports negotiation.• Act quickly on A-list cottages: In Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes, the best-in-class listings still attract multiple strong buyers—come prepared with clean terms and proof of funds.
• Inland value: Compelling alternatives exist under the $1M mark with improved access, newer mechanicals, and shorter DOM.
Overall
Buyers have more choice, especially in Huntsville and Lake of Bays.Sellers in Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes can still achieve strong results by highlighting what buyers can’t replicate: shoreline quality, privacy, and exposure.Inland properties across all municipalities are offering compelling value.Source Notes (July 2025)All figures are drawn directly from OnePoint – Association of Realtors® municipal statistics for July 2025: Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes, Huntsville, and Lake of Bays (provided by OnePoint) Active Listings reflect the month-end snapshot on each sheet.