Featured image: ©istockphoto.com / benedek
Canada, a land of beautiful scenery and congenial spirit, balances energetic city life with a calmer, relaxed lifestyle by the water. And if you ask Billie Pat Dall, sales representative at Bernice Whelan Realty Inc., about the real estate market, she’ll tell you that the area in which she sells (the Lake Simcoe and Barrie area of Ontario) is attractive for buyers who are looking for more space.
Only an hour north of Toronto, Barrie offers luxury homes at more affordable prices than in the city, ranging from $2 million to $20 million. Homes are complete with gourmet kitchens, main floor principal suites, home theaters, wine cellars, sports courts, and pools. Residents who live on the water enjoy charming boat houses with guest suites and tranquil water views.
According to Dall, Barrie is also an ideal area to raise a family, as residents have a wide array of outdoor activities at their fingertips.
“It is a place where kids can ride their bikes down to the beach and then over to one of the many tennis courts or to play basketball, and then back home to swim in their backyard pool. All of this is at your doorstep when you live in this region. There is also the added bonus of only being a one-hour drive away from Toronto, so parents can commute if they work in Toronto and visit for a Jays baseball game, theater or concert,” she explains.
Besides athletic endeavors, the Lake Simcoe region also hosts Canada’s largest camping and country music festival, The Hearts and Boots Festival, and Ontario’s biggest waterfront festival, Kempenfest.
Oakville, located just 45 minutes south of Toronto, boasts a thriving market as well, being one of the most densely populated regions in Canada. Lesley Cumming, sales representative at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, describes Oakville and Burlington as the “home to hikers, bikers, economic trail glazers, casual boaters, and local vendor enthusiasts.”
In Oakville and Burlington, you can find condos situated on the shores of Lake Ontario and 50-plus-acre properties with rolling hills, bank barns, horse stalls, ponds, and paddocks. Locals can head over to lakes, beaches, marinas, and conservation trails to absorb the stunning landscape.
Cumming notes that most new buyers in this region were previously urban dwellers from the Greater Toronto Area, in search of a smaller community with more property space. With varied landscape, cuisine, and population, Oakville and Burlington find a way to keep residents and visitors entertained while also cultivating an at-home feel.
“There is so much that is attractive about our region from the diverse cuisine, our local specialty shops, to our beautiful landscape. We have something for everyone,” Cumming says.
Victoria, British Columbia’s Capital City, is located on the beautiful Vancouver Island in Canada. From the minute your plane touches down, your lungs will expand and relish healthy, fresh, ocean-circulated air.
Here you can enjoy boating, beaches, world-class shopping and a super natural environment.
Looking to settle down in Victoria?
Check out this Unique listing!
Victoria boasts a spectacular setting of ocean and mountain vistas and offers numerous economic, cultural and recreational opportunities.
Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada and with greenery in evidence throughout the year there is little wonder that it’s called the City of Gardens!
The Inner Harbour is the heart of Victoria and for many boaters is the gateway to the City of Gardens. Bordering the harbour are the ivy-covered Fairmont Empress hotel, the world-renowned Royal British Columbia Museum and the magnificent BC Parliament Buildings.
UPLANDS ESTATES in Oak Bay | Victoria, British Columbia
Privately nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, away from all drive-through traffic, this rare artisan creation awaits. 9,878 square feet of interior luxury living. 1,745 square feet of exquisite patio entertaining areas including a full outdoor kitchen and gas fire pit. All with .71 acres of surrounding, ever-changing flowering gardens and trees highlighted by a meandering river and waterfalls. This is the first time this property has been offered for sale since completion in 2012. Visit the website for Floor Plans, Video, 3D Renderings & 100+ Photos. $6,995,000
Listing provided by Cathy Duncan.
Cathy & Associates Ltd. | cathy@cathyduncan.com | 250.888.9343
An expertly designed interior, breathtaking ravine lot, and premium locale directly across from the entrance to High Park and Grenadier Pond, complete this four-plus-one bedroom, six-bath home in Toronto, Ontario Canada.
This home perfectly suits both family and entertaining with its 4,441 square feet of living space over all levels, over 2,000 square feet of finished exterior space and four walk-outs and professional landscaping. Other features include Crestron automation, beautiful custom millwork, an elevator connecting all four levels, snow melt system, and much more.
“Visitors love the fireplace and privacy of the front patio, which overlooks High Park,” says listing agent Paul Nusca of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices West Realty, who is listing the home for $5.2 million. “This home feels like you are on a vacation and perfect for an affluent middle-aged couple.”
Living Room photo by James Dear, The Lighting Judge. Photos courtesy of Paul Nusca.
By Jessica Ganga and Marlene Ridgway
North Cyprus
“With 300 days of sunshine, golden beaches, friendly people, and stunning countryside, it’s no wonder that many visitors seriously consider buying property in North Cyprus,” explains Aylin Pelin Onar, Broker/Owner and Global Luxury Ambassador of Coldwell Banker Maximum.
Cyprus consists of 480 miles of stunning coastline, attracting buyers from all over the world. ©iStockPhoto.com / Mindstorm-Inc.
As the third-largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus boasts 480 miles of coastline, citrus groves, gorgeous beaches and has a capital growth average of 20 to 40 percent annually over the past three years, making it a prime opportunity for luxury buyers, according to Onar. There’s also a certain mystery surrounding the island that is appealing. “It’s no surprise that according to legend, Julius Caesar gave the island to Cleopatra as a token of his love.”
With the highest-priced listing in the area being an $8 million, 150,000-square-meter villa built on a private hill, it’s clear that there is an expanding demand for luxury properties. “Our market is growing due to improving local and international economic conditions,” says Onar. Situated between three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa, the location has contributed to the growing international market. “We are receiving clients from Turkey, Russia, Scandinavian countries, the Middle East, England, Israel and Australia,” notes Onar.
With the continuing development of new constructions and homes, the luxury market is expected to keep expanding to sustain the demand. Up and coming areas such as East of Kyrenia can provide the 5-star accommodations that luxury buyers now expect, including social facilities such as gym centers, spas, pools, and high security. “East of Kyrenia is the shining star, especially with its seafront luxury sites. The natural beauty, beautiful beaches, amazing mountain views, 18-hole international golf course, and 5-star hotels with casinos are the attraction points of this area,” says Onar.
Aylin Pelin Onar
Broker/Owner, Global Luxury Ambassador
Luxury properties in Esentepe, Kyrenia, North Cyprus embrace the island’s natural beauty, such as this home with gorgeous ocean views that sold recently for $900,000 USD. Photo courtesy of Sadi Yolgecen.
Recently sold for $7.7 million USD in Kyrenia, North Cyprus, this house examplifies the ultra-luxury listings available. Photo courtesy of Sadi Yolegecen.
Canada
With its diverse landscape and abundance of land, Canada is an ideal location for luxury buyers seeking a new place to call home. Of Canada’s many cities, Toronto is one that is family friendly and among the safest in the country. “People see Canada as a safe place to invest their money and raise their family. Toronto is the biggest city in the country and the financial centre of the country,” says Barry Cohen, Broker at RE/MAX Realtron Barry Cohen Homes Inc., Brokerage in Toronto.
As Canada’s largest city, Toronto has grown to be a rich metropolis with no shortage of things to do. “It’s a very cosmopolitan, multicultural city,” says Susan Macarz, Broker at RE/MAX Ultimate Realty Inc. Brokerage. Toronto boasts picturesque parks and playgrounds, country clubs, a theater district and nightclubs, to only name a few. Toronto also features some of the best schools in the country, attracting families seeking to provide their children with a top-notch education, according to Macarz.
Toronto, the largest city in Canada. ©iStockPhoto.com / PGIAM.
Toronto’s real estate market is diverse and continuously changing. “What’s happening is that there is very little land left in Toronto, so what people do is they buy big properties with an older house on it and they tear it down because they are buying it for land value,” says Macarz … Another trend that Macarz noted was the increase of townhomes and condominiums in the area, specifically Central Toronto, adding to the variety. “What I’m finding more often now is … there’s townhomes that are being built along the major streets. These townhomes start at about $1.5 million CAD and up,” says Macarz. Tall high-rises are being built that feature luxurious condominiums that have sizeable square footage, according to Macarz.
Along with urban-styled living spaces, Toronto is home to spectacular estates and mansions. According to Macarz, luxury buyers can find homes priced from about $4 million CAD to $30 million CAD. The most expensive listing in Toronto is located in the Bridle Path area, on the market for $32 million CAD by Cohen’s team. “It’s a magnificent multi-generational estate with a completely separate two story in-law apartment with its own entrance, elevator, and garage,” says Cohen. The 35,000-square-foot home also features an indoor pool and tennis courts.
Overall, both Macarz and Cohen made clear that Toronto is a premier location for people seeking to find their dream home.
In the St. Andrew-Windfields area of Toronto, elegance and contemporary blend in this listing recently sold for $7.1 million CAD by the Barry Cohen Team. Photo courtesy of Barry Cohen.
Barry Cohen
Broker, RE/MAX Realtron, Barry Cohen Homes Inc. Brokerage
Susan Macarz
Broker, RE/MAX Ultimate, Realty Inc. Brokerage
This editorial appeared in the Unique Homes Global ’19 Issue.
On beautiful Lake Huron in in Sarnia Ontario, Canada, this home was originally custom-built by renowned Pineridge Timber Frame Homes. The 6,500 square feet of living space is detailed with a 37-foot stone hearth, Rumford fireplace and two more gas fireplaces.
“This unique, custom-built home features wood beams and walls throughout the entire main floor, giving it a log cabin type feel, with a modern twist,” says Jim Pumple of Coldwell Banker Southwest Realty who is listing the home for $2.5 million CAD.
The home also showcases a beautiful winding staircase, professional kitchen, four bedrooms, four baths, granite islands, heated floors under ceramic, marble and cement, a steam sauna, and a home theater with leather seating.
For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.ca
This property originally appeared in Homes & Estates Summer Supplement ’19.
On 40 acres with approximately 550 feet of prime south exposure shoreline, Bellevue Estate is a jaw-dropping luxury lake house on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Enjoy a coveted sand beach, 2-story boat house with a dock and gazebo shaded seating area, art studio, tennis court, massive sports field, private winter ski hill/snowboard park and a treehouse jungle gym with zip line through a secluded forest.
Inside the 18,000-square-foot home, entertainment abounds with a Muskoka media room (made from reclaimed timbers salvaged from a 19th-centry shipwreck on Lake Huron), a live music private bar and games arcade, a movie theater, and a fitness center with a hotel-grade sauna and yoga/massage studio.
“The home offers a cool, laid back vibe that is surprisingly intimate, unpretentious, and hip,” says listing agent Ross Halloran of the Kolbuc Halloran Team of Sotheby’s International Canada.
Listed for $14.95 million, the home also features 14-plus bedrooms, 10-plus bathrooms, a soaring great room with a 35-foot vaulted ceiling and two stone fireplaces. The main-floor master bedroom showcases an airy 30-plus-foot ceiling with a five-piece en suite, including a claw tub. There is also a separate butler/caretaker residence with a full bath.
This home would be perfect for a multi-generational family with many friends and business associates who would like to visit one of the last grand estates in Muskoka. If The Great Gatsby owned a lake house in Muskoka, this would be it.
For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.ca
This property originally appeared in Unique Homes Summer ’19.
Cheri McCann
McCann Realty Group Ltd.
3307 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada
416.481.2355 | cheri@cherimccann.com | www.mccannrealty.ca
McCann Realty is one of the finest boutique brokerages in Toronto. Cheri, ranked among the top 7 agents in Canada with her previous brokerage, has over 30 years of experience in Toronto’s high-end real estate market. Our clients have access to a team of highly experienced specialized agents with intimate knowledge of the Toronto market providing our clients with white glove service, deep practical expertise, exclusive access to opportunities, and a strong network of buyers and sellers. Hardwork and integrity get you the results you want!
HARDWORK — INTEGRITY — RESULTS
Listing by Cheri McCann
2 CHEDINGTON PLACE PH | BRIDLE PATH
One-of-a-kind, 2-story penthouse with 4 bedrooms and 6 baths in Bridle Path. Private elevator to the 8th and 9th floor, 5,390 square feet, 4 terraces, 4 parking spaces, and 2 lockers. $8,100,000.
Cheri McCann originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’17: Elite edition. See her page here.
With 54 feet of beachfront, this lakefront home in Vernon, British Columbia is ideal for entertaining — it features a dock, boat lift, outdoor living spaces and two full kitchens.
Inside, details include open-concept living, vaulted ceilings, granite countertops hardwood floors and a covered deck with outdoor gas fireplace and views of Okanagan Lake. The lower floor includes waterfront living at its best with in-floor heating, a wine cellar, summer kitchen, outside shower and large walk-out patio with outdoor gas fireplace and built in barbecue.
“Guests are always welcome, as the house has a self-contained 3-bedroom casita above the garage with lake views and a private deck,” says listing agent Norm Brenner of Coldwell Banker Four Seasons Real Estate, who is listing the home for $2.95 million. “It is ideal for those that want to entertain or anyone that has extended family.”
Susan Macarz
RE/MAX ULTIMATE REALTY
1739 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-487-5131 | 416-219-7583 | susan@susanmacarz.com | www.susanmarcarz.com
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Susan Macarz is a unique real estate professional in Toronto’s prestigious and upscale neighborhoods. From a young age, Susan honed her love of fine homes in a real estate family. Her dad — a successful real estate developer and builder of communities in and around the Greater Toronto Area — nurtured Susan’s flair for home decor and passion for fine home design.
With an enthusiasm for sales, Susan was soon redesigning model suites, giving a great perspective of how meticulous design works as a sales tool. As she concentrated on interior design and marketing, Susan worked closely with her father, absorbing real estate knowledge, sales strategies, and negotiating tactics. In the early 90s, Susan went for more, focusing her career on real estate sales and marketing. Not settling for the ordinary, she achieved her real estate broker license designation and has gone on to win Re/max awards of distinction: In 2005, she won the award for Top 3 Individual Transactions in a population over 150,000, as well as memberships in the 100% Club, Re/max Platinum Club, and Re/max Hall of Fame; and in 2015, Susan was presented with The Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan has always looked for more innovative ways to lead, but it is her art of negotiating that has truly set Susan apart over the years. She has a knack for looking at a deal from all sides and finding inventive solutions to get it done.
Susan is a smart marketer and sharp negotiator!
Susan Macarz originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’19: Elite edition. See her page here.
Every year we select locations to highlight as Markets to Watch. This year change is underway and we take a look at some top performers, others that are beginning to transition, and a handful of under-the-radar locations that are emerging.
Austin, Texas
On track for another record with sales up more than 3 percent, Austin’s luxury patina shines ever brighter. In October, the medium home value in Barton Creek increased to $1.02 million, making it the city’s first million-dollar neighborhood. Austin’s charms include no income tax to win over newcomers, but music and tech might be tops.
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman might seem like a sleeper on this list, but with ranches, the Yellowstone Club and Big Sky country it’s an under-the-radar hangout for demi-billionaires and billionaires.
Brooklyn, New York
No longer second best! Buyers are making Brooklyn a first choice. Median prices in the most expensive neighborhoods hit the $1 million mark. Israelis, Chinese and Western Europeans also gravitate here. It’s no surprise this New York City borough is No. 2 on Urban Land Institute’s Markets to Watch.
©istockphoto.com/Auseklis
Chicago, Illinois
By August, the Chicago area recorded as many luxury sales as in all of 2016 or 2017. Sales of $1 million-and-up properties set a record in the third quarter with a 19-percent increase over 2017. According to RE/MAX, luxury is booming in the west loop area. Upscale suburbs trail the city. Lots of new condos and stunning new buildings open doors to more urban opportunities in a market that hangs in the balance.
Dallas, Texas
Few cities have charted a post-recession course as strong as Dallas and the city remains Urban Land Institute’s No. 1 location for overall real estate prospects in 2019. But the dramatic post-recession price increases are over, say economists. Moderating prices and adjusting inventories are positive indicators that that a move back to a normal market is underway.
© istockphoto.com/Kanonsky
Denver, Colorado
Real estate’s Rocky Mountain high isn’t over yet. Denver continues to rank in the top group on many lists. In the upscale bracket, a shift toward balance is underway with the inventory of $1 million-plus homes at about seven months. Year-over-year prices are up on average 9.29 percent. Boulder remains a sweet spot for luxury, ranking 10th among cities and towns with at least 10 neighborhoods considered million-dollar.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Projections call for appreciation as high as 10 percent this year. Nevada was the fastest growing state, with new platinum communities; forward-looking, innovative architecture; and spectacular views capturing the attention of buyers looking for lifestyle and tax relief.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Coastal South Carolina and Georgia are ground zero for demographic shifts and the growing ability among the affluent to live wherever they want — a trend just taking off. New developments including Palmetto Bluff add to demand for the Hilton Head region.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Moving toward balance. A long-awaited uptick in homes on the market is one of several hints of a market shift. Median prices reached a record high this fall, and homes still sell quickly. Still the inventory of homes for sale is one of the lowest in the country. Upper tier and move-up brackets are less competitive.
Northern Virginia
D.C. continues to be in the top group on watch lists but Amazon’s recent announcement makes real estate in Northern Virginia much more interesting. What the prospect portends for current homeowners is uncertain, but sure to make this a market to watch in 2019.
Park City, Utah
No longer just a ski hangout, this Salt Lake neighbor is luxury’s newest player. The most desirable neighborhoods see a shortfall of inventory. Land prices increased by 25 percent with the highest number of sales occurring at Promontory. Opportunities abound: new projects at The Canyons, a large expansion of Deer Valley, a $4 billion renovation of the Salt Lake airport and a bid for the 2030 Olympics.
Wikimedia Commons / Don Lavange
Portland, Maine
Beaches and skiing, does it get any better than that? Hipsters meet old money here. Ranked among the top 20 for entrepreneurs, the city has a growing tech industry and one of the best foodie scenes in the Northeast. Look for more new construction. Prices will continue to ease upward as more people discover this hidden gem.
© istockphoto.com/DougLemke
Santa Barbara, California
Opportunities for buyers in many California locales continue to increase as markets shift. Median prices in Santa Barbara in November were down more than 25 percent, which is good news for buyers. The area remains a prized luxury refuge and lower prices open the door for newcomers to enjoy one of the most unique locations in the U.S.
Sarasota, Florida
The city’s iconic waterfront is being reimagined with a vision to increase cultural programming and urban amenities. Median prices have been increasing steadily, up 25 percent since 2014. New construction means more inventory with more on the horizon. Agents report steady and growing interest in individuals from high tax states.
© istockphoto.com/KarolinaBorowski
Seattle, Washington
Happier times are ahead for buyers in Seattle with active listings up by 41 percent. Even though inventories are still slim, it’s a good indication the frenzy is over. Closed sales in November were down 28 percent. Homes continue to appreciate but the increase has slowed to 5 percent. For buyers and sellers this is definitely a market to watch. The city still is in top groups in many rankings, but the frenzy is over.
Wikimedia Commons / Jeff Gunn
Toronto, Canada
Canadian Baby Boomers and Millennials came together and turned up the heat on the luxury condos in 2018; single-family home sales decreased by as much as 44 percent. While the foreign buyers tax has reduced sales to overseas buyers, it’s also opening new opportunities for locals. Local buyers will continue to drive demand for condos here.
Resort Markets
Luxury’s top performers in 2018. Not only are residences in demand, but new resorts are raising the bar for luxury and reinvigorating current markets. New developments in Turks and Caicos, including the ultra-indulgent Gansevoort Villas, turn up the heat on interest in the Caribbean. Easy reach from the U.S. and private enclaves generate new interest in the Bahamas. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is seeing new resorts and other regions along the Sea of Cortez are seeing new development. Mandarina in Nyarit is the site of One & Only’s first collection of private homes. Owning a private island continues to be an ultimate purchase and the Bahamas is ground zero.
Thanks to:
Austin Board of Realtors
Michael Saunders, Founder and CEO Michael Saunders & Company
Anthony Hitt, President and CEO, Engel & Völkers Americas
Aleksandra Scepanovic, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Ideal Properties Group
National Association of Realtors
Northwest Multiple Listing Service, Kirkland, Washington
RE/MAX Canada
Trulia
Zillow
This story originally appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of Unique Homes Magazine.