Jay Richardson - News and Views

10 Selling No No's

Posted on May 20, 2025 in News and Views

Top 10 Things to Avoid when Selling

Selling a premium Lake of Bays cottage shouldn’t feel like auditioning for a reality TV clean-up show. Yet even the most sophisticated owners can unknowingly sabotage viewings with a few classic missteps. Let’s whistle through the top ten traps to avoid.

1.) Clutter – the Silent Space Thief

Overflowing boot racks, t...

Fractional Ownership – A Sophisticated Approach to Cottage Living

Posted on May 10, 2025 in News and Views

Understanding the True Nature of Fractional Ownership

Fractional ownership has emerged as an intelligent solution for those seeking the pleasures of cottage life in Muskoka / Lake of Bays without the full commitment of traditional ownership. As one of the region’s premier waterfront specialists, I’m often asked about the difference between fractiona...

When Disaster Strikes Before Closing

Posted on Apr 18, 2025 in News and Views

When Disaster Strikes Before Closing:
The Case of McDonald v. Lowrie

What every Muskoka buyer and seller should know about risk, insurance, and deposits.

The deal that went up in smoke

In May 2024, a buyer signed an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) for a charming century home near Tillsonburg, Ontario: purchase price $775,000, deposit $25,000. Two...

Remote Work in Cottage Country: Shaping the Future of Cottage Living

Posted on Apr 16, 2025 in News and Views

The rise of remote work in cottage country has fuelled an exciting transformation in many picturesque regions across the nation. Once considered purely seasonal retreats, these scenic havens are now thriving, year-round communities where people can seamlessly blend work with leisure. As technology continues to advance, professionals are discovering...

Stop Asking These 2 Cottage Questions (And What to Ask Instead)

Posted on Apr 15, 2025 in News and Views

Two of the Most Common Cottage Questions—That Won’t Actually Help You Buy the Right One And What to Ask Instead if You’re Serious About Finding Your Dream Muskoka Getaway

When you’re touring cottages in Lake of Bays or North Muskoka with a trusted local real estate team (hello from us at The Richardson Team 👋), you probably have a list of questions...

Remembering the Britannia Hotel

Posted on Mar 31, 2025 in News and Views

The Britannia Hotel on Lake of Bays: Muskoka’s Luxurious Historic Retreat

Imagine stepping off the train in Huntsville in the early 1900s, eager for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Your journey isn’t over yet – reaching the Britannia Hotel on Lake of Bays was a journey marked by multiple modes of transportation, each offering a un...

Costly Mistakes: How Unresolved Work Orders Can Jeopardize Your Cottage Sale

Posted on Mar 30, 2025 in News and Views

Don’t Lose the Sale: Why Unresolved Work Orders Matter

Quick Highlights:

Ontario Superior Court ruled in favor of a buyer terminating a deal and recovering their deposit due to the seller’s failure to address work orders before closing.
The court determined that the seller’s refusal to confirm compliance constituted a repudiation of the agreement.
This...

Minimal Changes Can Maximize Muskoka Cottage Values

Posted on Mar 29, 2025 in News and Views

How Minimal Changes Can Maximize Muskoka Cottage Values

by Jay Richardson

When considering listing your treasured Muskoka cottage, the conventional wisdom often points towards extensive renovations—big-ticket transformations designed to dazzle buyers. But in Muskoka’s sophisticated real estate market, the secret to adding true value and attracting di...

Let’s Talk Boathouses

Posted on Feb 26, 2025 in News and Views

Thinking of Boathouse Accommodation in Lake of Bays? Think Again.
One of the most common questions I get from buyers looking at Lake of Bays waterfront properties is whether they can build living quarters in a boathouse. Let me be crystal clear: in the Township of Lake of Bays, the answer is a firm no. The township has strict zoning by-laws that pro...

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