Marketplace: Cottages “that need a lot of work are sitting longer” 

Buyers in the Ontario cottage market are employing caution and discipline. Photo by Supplied

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In Ontario’s cottage market, buyers appear to be moving with caution and discipline. According to Royal LePage, the weighted median price of a single-family home in the province’s recreational market was virtually flat in 2025 — rising just 0.4 per cent year-over-year to $631,100 — while the median price is forecast to increase two per cent in 2026. Inventory is in line with last year, though two-thirds of agents surveyed said homes are taking longer to sell.  

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That makes Jeffrey Braun’s perspective timely. The agent at Corcoran Horizon Realty in Port Severn has a front-row view of how buyers and sellers are navigating cottage country. Here, Braun discusses the appeal of turnkey waterfront properties, the importance of pricing and presentation, and why cottage ownership remains less about speculation than an enduring family lifestyle. 

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

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Q How would you describe today’s market for recreational real estate in Ontario? Is it favouring buyers or sellers, or sitting somewhere in between? 

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A It feels like we’ve come back to a more normal, healthier market. The frenzy is behind us, and what’s replaced it is a more thoughtful pace on both sides. Buyers are taking their time, visiting properties more than once, and really thinking about how a place fits into their lives long-term. Sellers have had to meet that mindset. I’d call it balanced, maybe with a slight edge to buyers, but in a good way. It’s a market where the right property still commands strong interest, but value matters, presentation matters and pricing has to reflect today’s reality, not the peak we saw a few years ago. 

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Q Are buyers still primarily looking for weekend properties, or are more people shopping for cottages they can use as full-time homes? 

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A There’s definitely been a shift in how people think about a cottage. It’s less about weekends and more about flexibility and intentional living. A lot of buyers still live in the city, but they want the option to spend extended time here, whether that’s a few weeks at a stretch, working remotely, or eventually transitioning to something more full-time. The pandemic normalized being away from the office for extended periods, and people realized they actually loved it. That mindset has stuck. So now they’re shopping with practicality in mind: winterized homes, reliable Internet, year-round access.  

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Q What kinds of properties are moving fastest in 2026? 

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A The ones that feel easy. Turnkey waterfront cottages, where you can show up on a Friday and start enjoying it immediately, are still leading the way. People are busy, and they don’t always want to take on a big renovation project unless the price really reflects it. Properties with beautiful, usable waterfront, good sun exposure and privacy tend to generate immediate interest. On the flip side, places that need a lot of work are sitting longer because buyers have more options now and they’re not feeling the pressure to compromise. That said, there is a buyer for a project property. They just need the price to make the math work, and a clear sense of potential.