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.

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?

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?

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?

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.  

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Q: How are affordability pressures shaping buyer behaviour?  

A: Affordability is part of every conversation, but people aren’t necessarily compromising on what matters most to them. Instead, they’re getting clearer about their priorities. For some, that might mean going a bit further north. For others, it’s choosing a smaller footprint or something with less frontage. What they don’t want to give up is clean water in a peaceful setting where family naturally gathers. Those things still carry enormous weight, and I don’t think that changes. In a way, affordability pressure has produced a more grounded buyer, someone who’s thought it through, knows what they want and when they make an offer, they mean it. That’s actually a healthier dynamic for everyone in the market.

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Q: Are higher carrying costs making some owners more likely to sell in 2026?

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A: They are, especially for owners who aren’t using their properties as much as they thought they would. When you factor in financing, maintenance, insurance and taxes, people are taking a step back and asking, “Are we getting enough out of this?” For some, the answer is yes; it’s part of their lifestyle. For others, it’s prompting a decision to sell and free up that capital. But overall, it still feels like a very intentional market.  

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Q: What are you hearing from sellers? Are they pricing aggressively, or are many still anchored to peak-pandemic expectations?

A: There’s a bit of a split. Some sellers really understand where the market is today and are pricing accordingly; they tend to get strong interest right away. Others are still holding onto what their neighbour got in 2021 or 2022, and those properties take longer to find their footing. The market is pretty honest right now. It tells you quickly if something is priced right.

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Q: For someone thinking of buying or listing a cottage, what matters most right now?

A: It really comes down to being realistic and prepared. For sellers, it’s about presenting the property beautifully and pricing it in line with today’s market, not last year’s headlines. For buyers, it’s about understanding the nuances. The right property might not be the most obvious one, but when it feels right, you know. At the end of the day, people aren’t just buying real estate; they’re buying a lifestyle, a place to slow down, and somewhere their family will return to year after year. That hasn’t changed, and I don’t think it ever will.

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