Contemplating the Fragility of Humanity during the Christmas Season

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate

As we begin to enjoy the Christmas season, I am reminded over and over again of the fragility of humanity.  I am reminded of the many people around us that struggle to have their daily needs met in terms of shelter, food, clothing and employment.  I see the homeless and the working poor. I see those struggling to make ends meet and to keep a roof over their head.  I see working parents who are continuously managing the ill health of their children in the context of daycare and the need to meet subsidy requirements.  I see people struggling to manage their mental illness so that they can pass as "normal" in their community. I see friends and acquaintances struggle through this season as they remember loved ones who have passed on and are no longer with them.  I see pain. I see anxiety. I see great struggle. I see hopelessness and despair.  I see people becoming more and more isolated, retreating into a marginal existence in hopes of avoiding judgement and further stigmatization.    And though one may be functioning well in this moment, we are only ever a choice, decision, illness or tragedy away from becoming vulnerable.  You know what I mean - we've all seen it. The Uncle who was on top of the world until he lost he good paying job.  The young woman who thrived in high school only to struggle in university as her mental illness emerged and took hold.  The family who lost their beloved child in a car accident as they travelled back to university after the Christmas holidays.  The middle aged woman whose loneliness has found its  consolation in a bottle of shiraz every evening.  We are a fragile lot, us humans.

But, this season also reminds me of great hope.  There is strength in community and the joining together in the spirit of love, peace and compassion to serve and meet the needs of those who are less fortunate.  I believe that in this season, there is a heightened understanding of the fine line that divides us and through our willingness to care for others in their time of need, it strengthens us individually and collectively.  So during this Christmas season, I hope that you take some time to reflect on the challenges in your own life and those of your friends, family and community, knowing that you are not alone. You are not alone in your struggles and/or you are not alone in your willingness to contribute to making our world a better place.  And in doing so, I would encourage you to think about how you can seek support if you are struggling or if you are in a season of blessing, how you may contribute to your own community.

In quiet contemplation, the fragility of humanity continues to perplex and humble me. It causes me to think about what really matters in life.  It causes me to be truly grateful for the many blessings in my life.  It causes me to want to live life to the fullest and to give back as much as I can.  And so, as we head into the holiday season, may you and yours be reminded of the beautiful message of Christmas and may it inspire you. Merry Christmas!

Here are some of the charities that we are involved in:

West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation
Teen Challenge Canada
Canadian Mental Health Association
World Vision Canada
Christian Children's Fund

What's Happening with our Chippies?

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate

This October has proven to be a very interesting season for the chipmunks in our area of cottage country. We are not certain what is going on, but there is something! What we have come to expect of the feeding patterns of our beloved chippies has been changing! Like most people, we have always thought about chipmunks as those cute little furry creatures that love to run around and collect all things nuts and seeds. They are the little creatures that our children love to feed peanuts to and are delighted when they follow them around or run up their arm for a peanut. This year however, they have been in abundance. Our daughter decided early in the season to feed these little furry friends peanuts as she has done multiple times before, however we had to put a stop to that! They were everywhere!! And, the amount of nuts and acorns that they were moving around was incredible. They were all over our decks, under our cottage, all over the property and making nests close to our septic system…yikes!!! We certainly noticed all of this activity, but we certainly were not prepared for what we were about to see.

One day, late in the summer our daughter was painting a neighbour’s bunkie door. It was actually the last day of her summer business, Nikki’s Cottage Care (see FB) and she had asked me to join her to keep her company. She had mentioned to me earlier in the week that she had seen something disturbing, a chipmunk eating a fuzzy caterpillar. Although I thought that this was very strange, I dismissed it as a anomaly and really didn’t give it much thought. But, on this day I was shocked! As my daughter was working away and I was chatting with her, a chipmunk ran by us with a small leopard frog in its mouth. We stopped to watch it go by. Interestingly enough, the chipmunk stopped and sat up in front of us as if to say, “watch this!” Before our eyes, the chipmunk began to devour the frog. A chipmunk eating a frog!? What is happening? It proceeded to eat the entire frog as we watched in disbelief. We were shocked! So shocked that neither of us thought to capture it on video…drats! Needless to say, our understanding of our sweet, furry, nut eating friends was shattered. I turned to my daughter and exclaimed, “I think that I’ve just lost respect for chipmunks!” Her response, “I think that I just gained respect for them!” Whatever your reaction, the fact remains that in all of the years that I’ve been in cottage country, I have never heard or seen a chipmunk eat a frog! I felt compelled to share this with our friends in the area, and they too had never heard of or seen such a thing. I even shared this with one of our neighbours who is a Biologist. He had never heard of chipmunks behaving in this way, but wasn’t surprised by it. His response, “After all, protein is good!”

I’m curious to see what the chip pies will be doing next season? Was this an anomaly or are they changing? Nature is fascinating!

Stocking up on Firewood Water Access Style

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate

Many cottagers enjoy each of the four Ontario seasons and the crisp fall weather is often a favourite. As we watch the leaves changing on our drive to the cottage, we are reminded that autumn is upon us and that means cooler weather. Staying warm and dry at the cottage is important during the fall months and warmer clothes, coats, hats and boots are required. This season is perfect for starting a fire in the fireplace or wood stove and curling up under a blanket with a hot drink and great book…or perhaps listening to your favourite tunes. And, for those of us who are water access cottagers, the task of replenishing our wood stock for the fireplace and lakeside sauna is an adventure to say the least.

As with many past seasons, Gary and I ventured out to pick up wood from our neighbour and local firewood supplier, George. For us this means hooking up our small trailer to the back of our four wheeler, bringing our boat with the front landing deck up to our shore and driving the four wheeler and trailer onto the boat. Gary makes sure that everything is positioned properly and my job is to hold the boat. Once we have everything loaded, I put the boat in reverse while Gary valiantly pushes the boat off the shore (some strength is definitely required!). Then, I pick him up at the dock, generally laughing as I try to point and aim our barge-like boat for the dock while Gary watches in amusement. Equipped with our coats, boots, hats and gloves we head over to George’s to begin picking up our firewood. We are happy that today is a beautiful, sunny day.

Picking up the firewood; boat, four-wheeler and trailer

We pull up to the dock and let down the front of the boat, drive off the boat and head over to the large wood pile to begin loading up the trailer. We talk, we visit with George and we share stories. We laugh. After all, the whole process is entertaining. Once we fill up the trailer, we head back to the boat. We try and strategically place the front of the boat so that Gary can back the trailer and four wheeler ontIMG_2966o the boat without much trouble. This year however, it was a little bit tricky. It was windy this year and with that higher water (not that we are complaining!), the incline on the drop deck was a bit too steep. I tried to hold the boat in place and George did his best to provide moral support and strategic direction, however it wasn’t easy. We finally did get the trailer and four wheeler onto the boat and once we rolled up the front landing deck, we were off to our cottage to unload…the first load! We landed on the beach and drove the equipment up to our wood shed and began unloading it and piling it neatly. For those of you who know my husband, this would not be a surprise :)

Before we left for the second load, Gary had already devised a plan to improve our loading situation. He built a couple of small ramps. He loaded them onto the boat with the four wheeler and the trailer and off we went again. The ramps worked great and made backing the trailer and four wheeler onto the boat much more efficient! We repeated this four more times before we completed our task. It took hours, but it was a beautiful day and we spent it together. We talked about the added work that it takes to own a water access property, but in the end we came to the same conclusion that we have for the past many years…it is all worth it!

Understanding the nuances of different cottage lifestyles is very important

But the reality is that unless you are knowledgable about what it takes to own a water access property, it is really hard to even fathom what is involved. We have lived this cottage lifestyle for a long time and we have insights and knowledge that we share with our clients and customers. We understand this aspect of cottage living because we live it! And now, I think that I will pick up a great book, grab a blanket and cozy up by the fire.

Buying a Cottage in a "Hot" Area

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate

There are areas of cottage country that are “hot”because properties do not become available often and there are buyers wanting to purchase in a particular area.  It is not uncommon to be working with buyers who have been waiting for years to purchase on a particular lake. Many of these folks have family cottages on the lake and have been dreaming of their own, close to family, friends, but a place where they can begin to create their own memories.

And, of course, if you know the area that you want to purchase in, it is very important to be working with a Realtor who knows the area well.  A know

ledgable Realtor will be sure to watch the market “like a hawk”in order to provide you with information about properties that become available as soon as possible (and perhaps before they hit the MLS). This may give you the best opportunity to consider property in a hot area before others, potentially avoiding a multiple offer situation.

Working with a real estate professional will help to ensure that you have all of the information your need to make a good decision.  Buying a cottage or recreational property, especially when you have been waiting for years for the opportunity, can become very emotional.  It is important that you have an objective, professional and knowledgable Realtor working with you to point out all aspects of the property and buildings (Is the septic system working properly, and where is it? If there is a lane way, is there deeded access and if so, is there a survey to verify the correct position of it?  Is there deep, clear water? Was the electrical done professionally or by the previous owner?) You get my point.  When we get excited, we sometimes overlook these important facts, turning what seems like a good purchase into a less than ideal scenario.  A trusted Realtor will be able to walk you through the realities and possibilities of your potential purchase.

Choosing a Realtor in Cottage Country

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

Most of us have some knowledge and/or experience in real estate prior to considering a recreational property.  And therefore, some previous experience working with a Realtor to buy or sell a property.  One of the things that we have learned over the years, is that it is imperative that you find a knowledgable real estate professional when it comes to buying or selling your recreational property.

The Parry Sound district is a very diverse and dynamic area in Ontario and offers exceptional opportunities for cottage and recreational ownership.  There are however, many nuances to buying in cottage country which a professional Realtor from the area will know.  For example, when buying a piece of property, are you purchasing the property right down to and including the waterfront, or is there a shore road allowance owned by the township?  If you are buying a property that has a shared driveway, is there deeded access or have the current owners been using the driveway, based on a handshake agreement made during the 1970’s?  Or perhaps, you are selling your property and other properties on your lake have sold for various prices; so where does your property value sit?  Can your property value be based on your current MPAC assessment or not?  You are considering selling your property and know that some improvements need to be made; what are the improvements that will be the most valuable in the case of listing your property? So many things to consider!  Working with a Realtor who knows the area and is able to work with you to realize your needs and wants is key!

Be sure to ask your Realtor some important questions such as:

How long have you worked in the area?
What is your professional background?
What does your support team look like?
How many listings/sales have you had in this area?
What makes you the ideal person for the job?
What is your commission rate?

http://www.thephillipsteam.ca/choosing-realtor-cottage-country

Cottage Country Real Estate

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

Cottage country real estate…so much to consider!  Cottaging and being part of cottage country has been a huge part of my life.  As a child, my family would travel up to the shores of Georgian Bay to visit with my Great Aunt and to spend time with extended family. I recall how excited I would be to explore the shoreline and I especially remember the old cribs and concrete dock that extended out into the water.  The harsh winters had taken its toll on the old dock and us kids were not supposed to explore it unsupervised…but of course we did every chance that we got.  The dock was mysterious, exciting, and enchanting.  There was so much wildlife around the dock and remnants of life that was no more.  It was here, on the rocky shores of Georgian Bay, that my love of cottage country began.

Our family also had a cottage in the Kawartha Lakes area.  It was a very different cottage experience on a smaller lake, but it was fun and free and wonderful to grow up as a child on the water. I learned to appreciate the different cottage experiences when I was young and I continue to appreciate the memories that are created and the strong feelings that are associated with the cottage lifestyle.

For me cottage real estate is about understanding that the cottage experience is a passionate one; it is about connections, experiences, dreams, hopes, family, friends and nature.  It is much more that just a place to relax, escape, adventure or socialize…it is a place where lifetime memories are made and where we often have the opportunity to “be ourselves.”  For many of us, the cottage is our favourite place on earth, no matter how well travelled we have become!

A number of years ago, Gary and I became so passionate about cottage real estate that we decided to begin shifting our lives to incorporate this passion into our professional lives. We have lived the cottage lifestyle for many years and have shared our love of cottage country with our children, who grew up building their own cottage memories at our family cottage.  We understand cottage country real estate experientially and bring our combined skills sets to The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate and we love to share this unique perspective with our clients.

How Do You Want to Spend Your Time at the Cottage?

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

Would you define yourself as a “do”-er or a “be”-er?  I think that when it comes to cottage and recreational ownership, it is important to think about this question.  When I think of a “do”-er, I think of the person who loves to putter, and always has a project on the go.  This person may enjoy fixing things, working on their gardens and property, engaging in building projects, that sort of thing. These are the people that typically don’t like to sit down for long periods of time, and are always on the go with projects, or perhaps seeking out adventures and other forms of entertainment.  When I think of someone who is more of a “be”-er, I tend to think about my more relaxed and “chilled out”friends.  These people tend to be the ones who can relax and enjoy their surroundings reading on the deck, napping in the screened in porch or floating with a beverage at the water’s edge.  For these folks, cottage life is about being with nature and disengaging from the ongoing lists of things to do.  And, of course, there are those of us that would define ourselves as being somewhere on the continuum with a healthy mix of both.

I think that it is wonderful to be just as you are, but it is important to think about how you want to spend your time at the cottage and to recognize your preferred choices in a cottage lifestyle.  The idea of buying a “fixer upper”may be appealing to your budget, but are you the type of person who really does enjoy working on a project over a prolonged period of time?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  It is therefore important to realistically evaluate your strengths and weaknesses when considering cottage ownership, as we are sometimes swept away by the allure and our romantic ideas of owning a recreational property.  Make sure that your decision making process pays careful consideration to the realities of the type of experience you want, and how you wish to spend your time at the cottage over the years to come.

Gardening at the Cottage

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

The idea of having a vegetable garden at the cottage is very appealing to many of us.  Not only are gardens wonderful for the obvious bounty that is possible, but also for the positive impact on one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. However, the logistics can be a challenge for those who are not able to spend a significant amount of time at their recreational oasis.  For many years, we dabbled in cottage gardening – flower boxes, some potted plants on the deck, a small bed of tomatoes and some herbs.  It was fun on many levels, but I often arrived at the cottage only to find my tomatoes wilted, my herbs nibbled on by the neighbourhood critters, and my flowers desperately holding on.

With increased amounts of time spent in cottage country (ok, we are here from May until November), we have been able to invest more time and energy into our garden.  A few years ago, we began to research box gardens as an alternative to traditional garden beds.  We were very aware of the plethora of wildlife in our area and felt that the garden boxes would be most suited for the climate and environment of our Georgian Bay water access property.  We began with two boxes that were 10 ft x 3 ft x 2ft high.  This quickly resulted in the addition of two more garden boxes and a fence to stop the deer from enjoying a midnight feast.

Each year we mix in manure, peat moss, blood meal and new soil.  We have decided to keep our garden organic, so we are very careful about the seeds that we plant and what we use to feed the plants and manage unwanted pests.  Last year, our garden was amazing!  The veggies grew well and there were relatively few invasive bugs.  We did have a short battle with tomato hornworms, and found that the best way to control them was to diligently pick them off each day.  This year,  our battle has been with the relentless cucumber beetle.  We have found that spraying the flowers and the beetles directly with a mixture of Blue Dawn and water has resulted in the most favourable outcome.  Our garden however, is not what it was last year thanks to the beetles and the large quantity of rain we have received this season. But, we have learned from each growing season and the produce we have been getting is very much appreciated!

Selling My Cottage in a Difficult Market

The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate Blog

Everything sells, when it hits market value. But, determining market value can be challenging for us cottage owners. Yes, we can compare our property to our neighbours and speculate about the possible value in the renovations that we have completed over the years, but when it comes to selling your property, it really boils down to market value. The market has been a challenge for many of us over the past number of years, with stock markets plunging only to soar again, property values skyrocketing in some urban centres, and cottage/recreational property sales bouncing up and down with little predicability.

So, how do we understand the value of our property? First of all, it is important to understand that other listings and MPAC values may have little to do with the value of your property. What we do know is that properties that are listed over market value sit on the market and those that are listed below market value, are typically sold very quickly. The key is to carefully determine and set a price that is going to meet current market value; to create a good level of interest and a reasonable amount of time on the market.

There is so much emotional investment wrapped up in our cottage properties…the memories are invaluable. However when it comes to selling your property, it is very important to objectively consider property value and building replacement costs in the equation. What is your property worth and how much is the building(s) worth. And yes, there is definitely some subjectivity in deciding the value of a property, but there is no denying the reality that when property is priced at fair and current market value, there is generally much more action from interested buyers!

http://www.thephillipsteam.ca/selling-cottage-difficult-market