Introducing to the New Way to Cottage in Ontario.

According to a recent article in the Globe & Mail, sales in Ontario’s cottage country have slowed. This is no surprise as real estate prices in cottage country like Muskoka and the Kawarthas are only slowly showing signs of coming down from their record peaks.

Some areas are even still experiencing higher prices. The Lakeland Association of Realtors reported that for waterfront residential, the median price broke the $1 million barrier in June 2022, a 14.6% increase since last year. So while high prices persist, potential buyers are also having to contend with uncertainty in the economy, particularly rising interest rates.  In short, while traditional cottage ownership has long been a part of the Canadian dream, for today’s typical Ontario family, it’s becoming nearly impossible to achieve.

This is where Great Blue Resorts comes in. Offering an alternative to traditional cottages, resort cottages are emerging as a more price-conscious, low maintenance option that brings cottage ownership to those that previously could only dream of it. The starting price of a resort cottage?  Only $99,900, which can be easily financed from $137/week with $22,578 down.*

What is a Resort Cottage?

A Great Blue Resorts resort cottage is a three-season summer home away from home, specifically designed and fabricated by  Northlander Industries, a leading Canadian manufacturer of quality built resort cottages, park models, mobile and modular homes. We now offer four season resort living at Villages Port Elgin.

Resort Cottage vs Traditional Cottage

Price and affordability are the obvious differences between a resort cottage and a traditional cottage, but there are other notable advantages to consider:

• Low maintenance.
  Resort cottages are virtually maintenance free so owners can pick up the kids, some groceries, and hit the road for the weekend to their very own cottage. There’s no need to worry about cutting the grass upon arrival!
  For a worry- and stress-free cottage experience, an annual resort management fee covers most of the running costs: utilities, garbage disposal, grounds maintenance, on site management, family entertainment, activity programs, and full use of all resort amenities. That means more time relaxing with the family, and less time working on your vacation.
• All-inclusive resort amenities**.
  Sure a traditional cottage may offer lakeside respite, or may perhaps be located near a nature trail. But does it have a pool, live entertainment, fitness centre, or a golf course? As a Great Blue Resorts cottage owner, you and your family can enjoy the pool, multi-sports court, playgrounds, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, beaches, live entertainment, fitness centres, activities for children, and so much more all included, and within walking distance of your resort cottage.

  No need to wander off the resort unless you want to explore the charm of the surrounding area. You’ll find everything you need for a great vacation all on site at the resort, saving you even more money.

Cottaging 2.0 – the future of vacation homes

As the popularity of resort cottaging grows, Great Blue Resorts is able to offer our owners improved experiences and additional amenities, year after year. Resort cottage ownership is the future of cottage country.

While fractional ownership models have emerged in the past couple decades as an alternative for the budget-conscious, buyers only have access to their cottage for a set number of weeks.

But with Great Blue Resorts, you have full ownership of your cottage, to use as you see fit throughout three seasons from May 1^st until October 31^st annually, that the resorts are operational – or all year round at Villages Port Elgin.  You can also join the Great Blue Resorts rental program in order to generate some cash flow when you’re not using your place.

With the rental program, many owners are able to defray a significant portion of their resort fees, making outright ownership even more affordable.

Meanwhile, the rental program is a great “try before you buy” opportunity to experience family life at the resort before deciding to purchase. Many current Great Blue owners had originally rented for a weekend or a full week, before ultimately making the decision to buy a model tailored for their needs and desires.

So what are you waiting for? Call us today at 1-877-814-4141 to learn more and to book your discovery tour at one of our eight great cottage locations in Southern Ontario!

Pricing & interest rate subject to change without notice & accurate at time of blog posting. Open finance rate from 4.99% OAC over 240 months, with no penalties or hidden fees, if you choose to pay down loan early. 20% down-payment required on new cottage purchases. Maximum to finance $200,000. *Financing subject to deposit criteria, interest rates and previous bankruptcy. Renderings are artist concept only and not to scale. E & O.E. ** Amenities vary from resort to resort.