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.




Featured image: ©istockphoto.com / Chinnapong
It’s time to discover these 10 extraordinarily refined places, each with distinctly different waterfront experiences.
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE UH Summer ’21 ISSUE OF UNIQUE HOMES. TO SEE THE DIGITAL VERSION OF THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.


Peggy S. Lotz
MVP Realty LLC
GRI, ABR, AWHD, e-Pro, CIPS , GREP, PSA, RSPS, SRS, SFR, SRES
239.564.2140 | lotzrealestate@gmail.com | peggylotzrealtor.com
Raised with Midwest values of honesty and integrity, Peggy developed a very strong work ethic. Her background in real estate began in the 1970s in Wisconsin, and since then has worked in many facets of real estate, from residential and luxury markets to law offices. Peggy and her husband have lived in Southwest Florida since 1995. She serves the areas of Miromar Lakes, Estero, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples. Her passion shows in her commitment to you. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, her goal is to exceed your expectations. She will welcome you to “paradise”and provide you with exceptional service.
Listing by Peggy S. Lotz

Boat from Your Backyard Dock —Miromar Lakes, FL
For enjoyment, go fishing, skiing or enjoy water sports on 700+ acres of freshwater, and call Miromar Lakes, #1 Community in the USA, your home! This custom-built home has extensive upgrades, 3 split en-suite bedrooms, a den and pool bath. The gourmet island kitchen is full of amenities. Outdoor living includes an outdoor kitchen, saltwater pool/spa, lanai, and semi-private deeded pier with floating dock.
$1,595,000
Peggy S. Lotz originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’21: Elite edition. See her page here.

With powder-white sand and turquoise waters that offer tranquil swimming and world-class surfing, this gated seven-bedroom property — set on beautiful Lorient Beach — is one of St. Barth’s most luxurious beachfront estates.
“This property represents an extremely rare opportunity to purchase a beachfront estate in St. Barth,” says Tom Smyth of St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty who is listing the property for 35 million euros. “We generally see an opportunity like this once per decade.”
Features include wraparound terraces providing easy access to the interior from all sides, a stunning pool, a spacious living area, a gourmet kitchen, and five equal master suites are all accessible from the courtyard.
Additionally, the expansive courtyard encompasses a private spa and a bar, and a two- bedroom caretaker’s house is located near the entrance. The property allows for expansion.
For more information, contact:
Tom Smyth
St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
St. Barth +590.590.29.90.10
Tom@stbarth.com
sothebysrealty-stbarth.com



With 500 feet of privately owned river frontage (with a dock) this stunning home in Minnesota overlooks the St. Croix River and is set on 17 acres. “The setting is spectacular,” says listing agent Sharon O’Flannigan of Coldwell Banker Realty. “It is completely private and secluded.”
Architecturally designed and built by Vujovich Design, the home features exceptional use of quality materials and details, creating a warm, inviting environment. “The great room, dominated by a stone fireplace, provides intimate spaces for conversation and relaxing,” says O’Flannigan.

Listed for $2.236 million, the home features a pool, pool house, pond and fire pits. “This home would be ideal for a family or couple who enjoy the outdoors, wildlife and the joy of navigating the magnificent St. Croix River,” says O’Flannigan. “It is a home to create memories in a naturally beautiful setting.”
For more details and a full tour of this property, go to www.oflannigan.com.



With approximately 445 feet of water frontage, this property is set on 4.3 acres in Grosse Point Shores, Michigan and showcases panoramic views of Lake St. Clair.
The mid-century modern main house features four bedrooms and a heated terrace. Most of the main rooms have beautiful views of the lake. The house has been expanded and undergone extensive renovations to create what is now a 5,490 square foot home. The charming mid-century modern ranch style was retained and the great room features a stunning wood-paneled cathedral ceiling, two fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors, which provide fantastic views of the lake. The open floor plan, along with the skylights, allows the home to be filled with even more natural light. The master bedroom suite includes two baths, an office and a walk-in closet.
The current owner purchased the adjacent property, which was then razed to create the gigantic 4.3-acre lot on the water. The property also includes a charming guest cottage with lake views and a quaint 1,065-square-foot farmhouse with two bedrooms, plus an additional carriage house.
The estate, listed for $9.5 million by Kay Agney of Higbie Maxon Agney Realtors, is one of the largest estates in Grosse Pointe — and the scenic home is the ideal place to lead a quiet life, surrounded by trees, with a perfect view of lake St. Clair.

For more information about this property, contact:
Kay Agney-Broker/Owner
Cell: 313 460 3041
83 Kercheval Avenue, GP Farms, MI
This property was featured in the Unique Homes Ultimate 2020 Issue. Click the link to learn more!
Photo courtesy of Kay Agney.

©istockphoto.com / SimonDannhauer
Government-sponsored incentives are drawing retirees to Panama.
From superior benefits for retirees and an assortment of visa options, to the captivating sights and real estate options available, there is much to see and even more to experience as a resident of Panama.
For retirees in particular, the benefits offered through Panama’s programs have crowned it as “one of the top retirement destinations in the world,” according to Stephanie Villarreal, president and Realtor for Your Panama Real Estate Connection. She notes that the government-sponsored “Jubilado” retirement program provides impressive discounts on a range of expenses, including dental/eye exams, medical consultations, restaurant bills, airline tickets and even car purchases. What is needed to qualify is an annuity/pension-like income of $1,000 USD per month. Having good, affordable medical services like, amongst others, the Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital in Panama City is another added benefit, Villarreal says. New residents find themselves taking on the Panamanian lifestyle in no time at all.
The process of immigrating to Panama is relatively simple as well, Villarreal says, and with the help of experienced law professionals, the process is straightforward and easy.

Basilica of the Mother of God is prominent in Casco Viejo, where churches dating back hundreds of years blend with activities for those of all ages.
Photo ©istockphoto.com / rchphoto
“We work alongside attorneys to assist our clients with immigration and residency,” she adds. The Panama Friendly Nations Visa, for example, is also a popular special immigration program for citizens of selected countries who have professional or economic ties with Panama.
Those exploring their immigration options should also understand the differences in lifestyle of Panamanians, from “slower pace of life” to the fact that Spanish is the country’s main language. However, every difference also offers an opportunity to learn and experience the unique nuances of Panama. “Things in Panama move slower than in North America and Europe,” says Villarreal, “but with our team’s extensive knowledge and experience of how things work in Panama, we can assist our clients to adjust to life in the country.”
Adjusting to life in Panama can come easily with the help of the right brokerage team who will help guide potential buyers to their dream home or neighborhood. Villarreal says her team recommends that buyers should visit the country first to get a feel for what Panama is all about. “There are established ‘expat’ communities in Panama City, various communities at the beaches … there are many clubs offering get-togethers, bingo, Spanish courses and more.”
Add this to the plethora of good restaurants, cafes and bars amidst the cobblestone roads and churches of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s old quarter, and the amazing beaches and archipelagos, and there’s too much to fit into one trip. So, perhaps, make it a trip to last the rest of your life?
This article originally appeared in the Unique Homes Spring ’20: Elite edition.

1814 Roland Street, Sarasota, Florida

Majestic 2.5-acre, gated residence on Sarasota’s Intracoastal Waterway. Six en suite bedrooms allow homeowners to enjoy the grandeur of their own private Sarasota getaway.

Features include a gym, upstairs kitchenette, wine cellar, and entertainment room with antique bar from early 1900s France. The pool area boasts travertine, an outdoor kitchen, and sauna. The open kitchen/butler’s pantry incorporates all current culinary conveniences.
6 bedrooms, 6 full and 3 half baths
Price: $6,500,000
Represented by: Sindy Carr, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
941.928.9308


Featured Property: Punta Gorda, Florida

Rebuilt and redesigned from the slab up in 2005, this stunning home offers many recent updates. Enjoy the Florida sunshine from the cedar-lined front porch entry to the fully porcelain tiled, open floor plan with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths and an office. Gather around the floor-to-ceiling stone, gas/wood burning fireplace in the great room. Other features include boat lift and 2 docks. a lanai and pool with serene waterfront view. Direct access to the Peace River, Charlotte Harbor and Gulf of Mexico from your own dock.
Price: $739,000

SHARON KERR
Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty
www.SharonKerr.com
Sharon.Kerr@comcast.net
941.286.7315
For more details and a full tour of this property,
go to www.SharonKerr.com.

In Sarasota, Florida, this home is elevating the standard of luxury, waterfront living.



1309 Vista Drive in Sarasota, Florida, is a gated French Country private estate located right on the bay. It was built in 2015 on the 1.5-acre-plus property.
Located in one of Sarasota’s most coveted neighborhoods, Harbor Acres, the property is just as close to the bay as it is to the bustling downtown district filled with restaurants and retail stores. The perfect blend of old-world charm and modern Florida luxury.



The interior of the home includes a La Cornue gourmet kitchen, imported French stone floors and cabinetry. But the quality doesn’t end inside — with over 244 feet of direct bayfront on the property, you can enjoy the water every day of the year.

1309 Vista Drive in Harbor Acres, being a perfect blend of French charm and modern style, is the quintessential home of the neighborhood and surrounding area.
Photos courtesy of 1309 Vista Drive.