Homes, which have a contemporary aesthetic with a rustic twist, include condominiums, houses and villas; prices start at about $310,000. Owners can enjoy amenities such as tennis, infinity pool, spa, hiking and mountain biking trails, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Oviinbyrd Golf Club, at the southern tip of Lake Joseph, is another private course and considered ultra-exclusive. As a result, the houses for sale near the club are expensive, Mr. Woof, with prices starting at $2 million.
But many golf home buyers buy single-family homes that aren’t part of the planned developments, according to Mr. Woof (these properties are called cottages, which is what gives Muskoka the mansion’s nickname). “Ideally, you want a lakefront property to get the best of lake life,” he said. Prices for a lakefront refurbishment start at $750,000 but drop to $550,000 for a home away from the water.
In Muskoka, real estate is being sold at a rapid pace in the wake of the pandemic. According to the Lakelands Association of Realtors, which covers both Muskoka and surrounding areas, waterfront properties were on the market for an average of 20 days in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 24 days in the fourth quarter of 2020. for waterfront homes in the region rose 12.2 percent year-over-year to about $659,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Homeowners who are golfers can participate in many other pursuits when they are not on the course. Like the Okanagan Valley, ice skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling are a major winter pastime; cross-country skiing is also popular. Summer means spending time around the lakes and boating, swimming, kayaking and fishing.
Muskoka’s proximity to Toronto Pearson International Airport (about two hours away), which offers flights to and from major cities worldwide, such as London, New York and Munich, means that the destination attracts a diversity of international buyers.
“We’re seeing people from France, England, Switzerland, Los Angeles, Chicago and more,” said Mr. Woof.
Muskoka’s easygoing lifestyle is similar to that of Okanagan Valley.
“You end a day of golf with a drink watching the sunset, maybe around your fire pit, then a great dinner,” said Mr. Woof. “We enjoy a good life.”
