Local Real Estate Information

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In Orillia, the real estate market is usually fairly steady, and housing or cottage/leisure properties can be found in most price ranges. In today's market, lower priced properties are perhaps not as numerous as the mid to higher ranges, but they are still being seen and sold on a regular basis. Waterfront properties are at a premium in Orillia, and even small houses with waterfront that "need work or TLC" can cost a great deal more than a newer home in a residential subdivision. Buying a home that needs updating (even an expensive waterfront home) can be a good way to invest in the future. Waterfront homes seldom go down in value, and returning one to it's full beauty can result in large increase in it's sales price a few years down the road. To see examples of the types of housing that line the streets and neighbourhoods of Orillia, see this page of local homes.

Waterfront Condos

Prices here can run the gamut from $115,000 to over $1 million, depending on what you are looking for. There are a number of waterfront condominium developments, some completed and some still being completed which are very suitable for those who want the luxury of waterfront without the upkeep, but all of these are considered "pricey" - not just to buy, but to maintain. Condominiums typically have a monthly charge for "condo fees", and very often these fees do not include taxes or utilities, so on top of your monthly mortgage fees, you need to factor in the condo fees and cost of utilities as well.

Most of the local realty companies have websites online, and many individual agents have their own MLS site online. Initial steps you can take are to visit the websites and look up the type of property you want in the location you want.  Any property listed with an MLS # will be available to view on their site, and give the listing realtor and agent, and how to contact them.

Not every property is listed under the MLS listings, as some are exclusive listings with one agent or realtor, and you may only find those properties by talking to an agent.

As well as the MLS site, you can view a copy of the Orillia Packet Real Estate Guide online, which comes out every week with a selection of listed properties, and includes notices of open houses. For those who just want to drive around and visit open houses to get a feel for the different areas in town, this guide will prove to be useful. As well as being available online, you'll find paper-boxes throughout Orillia with free copies of the guide, or you can stop in at any real estate office in town and pick one up.

If you are looking to buy property in and around Orillia, you'll want to take some time to investigate the availability and the locations, along with the prices. And for that, you should probably use a local real estate agent. Orillia has it's fair share of Real Estate Brokers and Agents. Finding an agent or broker isn't always as simple as calling the company, but it can be. Working with an agent can be very helpful, but the agent should be someone you are comfortable with. Establishing a trust between you and your agent is also a good idea, but that normally doesn't occur on the first contact and takes time.

If you know someone in Orillia, ask for their recommendations if they have any. Anyone who has experience with the various agents or realty companies will be happy to tell you who they used and how their experience was.

Personally, we have a fair bit of experience in buying and selling real estate here. Probably a little more than the average person just buying a home for their family. While we usually do live in the houses we've bought, we don't always. As well as buying and selling 4 family homes we've lived in, we've also acquired two rental properties and sold one, and are on the verge of perhaps acquiring another (in 2012). Besides our own properties, the agent we've always used also stepped in to help us sell a condominium in Toronto that belonged to my parents, taking on the dealings between the realtor in Toronto and ourselves and making this hard process much easier on us. We consider him to be invaluable, and worth every penny of his fees when we've had to sell a home through him. When we are considering a property buy, he's our "go to" agent, because after all these years, we trust him to steer us in the right direction, and to provide us with his honest appraisals. So I guess my first recommendation would be to call this guy, or his company - he's been in this business for long enough to know what's going on in town, and nearby.

author: J.Gracey Stinson

ROYAL LEPAGE, REAL QUEST REALTY Stewart McNeely Website:Lake Country Real Estate Website: Real Quest Realty, Orillia 19 Andrew St. North, Orillia Office Phone: 705-327-9999 SUTTON GROUP INCENTIVE REALTY INC. Website:Sutton Group Incentive Realty Address: 138 Mississaga Street West, Orillia Office Phone:705-330-4040 COLDWELL BANKER, TOWN AND COUNTRY Website:Coldwell Banker Address: 189 Mississaga St. East, Orillia Office Phone: 705-325-5055 or1-800-893-1866

CENTURY 21, DON CAMPBELL REAL ESTATE LTD. Wayne Martin Website:Wayne Martin, Century 21 Website:Century 21 Don Campbel Real Estate Address: 36 Andrew St. South, Orillia Office Phone: 705-325-1366 REMAX ORILLIA REALTY (1996) LTD. Mike Lee Website: Mike Lee, Remax Website: Remax Orillia Realty Address: 97 Neywash St., Orillia Office Phone: 705-325-1373

Along with these larger concerns, you may find some independent brokers by using the Real Estate Guide or MLS site. Many of the local agents have areas of specialization, like commercial properties or business, residential or investment properties, so it's a good idea to find an agent who handles the types of listings you are interested in. If you are looking at relocating a business, or at buying a small business or leasing a business location you'd be wise to find an agent dealing with properties of that nature on a regular basis, since they will be familiar with city by-laws and local business requirements.

Most agents will be able to point you towards local lawyers and mortgagors, or home-inspection agents, as well as land-surveyors.

author: J.Gracey Stinson