Waterfront

When it comes to acquiring a home for sale on the water in Ontario, you have three general options. You could opt to buy a home around one of the larger lakes, including the Great Lakes like Lake Ontario; you could look for a property next to one of the thousands of smaller lakes, including island properties; or you could secure a spot next to a river. 

Each of these options comes with its own pros and cons. 

You should also decide what kind of water access you want. This will depend on a number of factors, including the kinds of activities you like to engage in - whether you’re an avid boating enthusiast for example - and your budget. Obviously, more water access usually translates into a higher price tag. Alternatively, spots further away from the water will not only be cheaper, but might offer other benefits like shelter from the elements and more privacy.

Keep these distinctions in mind when looking for a waterfront home in Ontario:

Waterfront - Implies direct access to the water. Many of these homes will have their own dock, and perhaps even a boat house or boat lift. An important factor to consider are your “riparian rights”, referring to your usage rights over the water that your property fronts. Your waterfront could be public access, or you could have exclusive use of it.

Water access - This term denotes a property that is near water, with easy access to it, usually within a short walking distance. This could represent a shared living situation, such as a resort, and might also come with shared docks or marina facilities. 

Water view - This just implies that you’ll be able to see the water from your home. In Ontario’s Cottage Country, this will probably mean that you’re still close by.  

If you’re looking for a home for sale in Southeastern Ontario’s Cottage Country, then you might already have a picture in your mind of what to expect. A charming, traditional-looking cottage with a large deck and windows overlooking the water. An open-interior with a cozy fireplace and large bay windows. Or perhaps a mid-century home with a large sloping shed roof and floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Well you’re in luck because you can find exactly those in abundance. There are also many convenient options like condo units, villas, RV homes, and even prefab cabins with your choice of lot. The desirability of Southeast Ontario waterfront properties and the varieties of buyers and lifestyles mean that the market is diverse, innovative, and fill with many of the more traditional options that you’d find in Toronto’s suburbs. 

Not sure where to start? Take a look at these popular areas for buying waterfront homes in Ontario:

Muskoka - The Muskoka region is roughly a 2 hour drive directly north of Toronto. Starting at Gravenhurst, the area includes three large lakes: Joseph, Rousseau, and Muskoka. Hundreds of islands, many small communities, resorts, golf courses, and parks make up this beautiful area, so be sure to check it out. 

Rideau Lakes - Northeast of Toronto in Eastern Ontario. The area is located within Leeds and Grenville. There are many villages and hamlets throughout the Rideau Lakes area including 500km of lakefront properties along the multiple interconnected lakes. Lower Rideau, Big Rideau, Upper Rideau, Newboro Lake, and Lake Opinicon. 

Charleston Lake - Is a beautiful lake cut into the Canadian Shield bedrock in South Eastern Ontario.  With over 160km of shoreline, there are many stunning properties on the market. In addition, Charleston Lake Provincial park is 23 square kilometers and located on the South West side of the lake. The park is known for its, hiking trails, swimming, and campgrounds.

Reasons To Buy A Waterfront Home in Ontario

There are many reasons to get a waterfront property in Southeast Ontario. 

For a start, there are all the activities that people flock to enjoy in these wilderness playgrounds. In the summer there are any number of water-related pastimes, like canoeing or kayaking, fishing, sailing, or water skiing. If you would rather stay on land, there’s hiking and camping, or even riding around on an ATV. And if you’d like something more relaxed, you can always just relax outdoors, on a deck or a dock, or visit one of the eateries, galleries, or stores that are bound to be nearby.

In the winter your options on the lake change thanks to the freezing over. There’s skating, pond hockey, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-fishing. 

What you’re looking to do here will alter what you should look for in a property, so consider these points when looking for a home for sale in Ontario. 

• Where is the sun relative to your home? Will you have a good view of the sunset, or will the glare of the water be too annoying?
• Are you looking more for peace and quiet, or some more excitement? Different lakes will have different rules regarding what can be done on them. For example, living next to a lake that allows motor boats will be significantly noisier in the summer. 
• How do you feel about bugs? Remember that the warmer months in Southeastern Ontario come with a lot of annoying bugs, if that isn’t your thing, then opt for a more winter-friendly location. This will require thinking about how your property can be accessed, heating, and winterization

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