A global real estate brand is opening an office in one of the most prestigious recreational areas in Ontario, as Engel & Völkers welcomes veterans Traci Tempany and Keith Monahan to lead its newest office.

Known as Engel & Völkers Kawarthas Port Credit, it will be located in Peterborough, which is known as the gateway to the Kawarthas.

“We could not pick a better time to introduce this brand to this market because there’s a hole that needed filled, and we think Engel & Völkers did that,” Monahan said to RENX Homes in an interview.

With many non-resident investors and buyers currently looking at investing in the local real estate market, the timing was right, according to Tempany.

“The reputation of Engel & Völkers and its global marketing is pretty fantastic. It seems like more of the companies here are very localized. So, we find that a lot of our clients could be coming from the U.S. or they could be coming from the GTA,” she said in the same interview.  

Recreational choices abound

So what makes the region so attractive for buyers?

“One thing that the Kawarthas has is lifestyle. If you’re interested in boating; if you’re interested in living on a lake, birds are flying: that’s your canvas,” Tempany said.

But there are a lot of other features that will interest people, she said. “There’s a lot of foodies in the area, and really, if you’re going for some place like Bobcaygeon, to Fenelon Falls to Buckhorn to Youngs Point, to Lakefield, there’s many small little hamlets that are just adorable, and it’s all lifestyle around the water.”

Because the focus is on the outdoor lifestyle, this works for what they are offering. It fits “with our positioning as far as luxury waterfront real estate and estates in general, rural recreational,” Monahan said.

Tempany and Monahan spent most of their careers in Toronto but they were familiar with what the Kawarthas had to offer, he said.

Potential buyers include people who are looking for “very high-end waterfronts that work during all four seasons,” according to Tempany.

“We’re finding people who are going to be retiring in the next little while," she said. "So, five years to retirement, they’ll pick a spot here, and then they’ll get themselves acquainted with the area, and feel like a part of the canvas once they get here before retirement."

As well, the area is great for first-time buyers who are able to work remotely, and it also includes those who have “family-legacy cottages, so people looking to instead of pass money down, they might pass a cottage to a group of families,” she said.

But one thing is clear about most buyers, “people are looking for turnkey: whether it’s a mid-tier or a top-tier property. They want to get in there and live their lives,” Monahan said.

Growing interest from developers

While most of the existing stock is resale, there are some others taking notice of the region.

“We do see investors and developers coming in as long as it’s on a really nice lake, so Clear, Stoney, Sturgeon. These are beautiful lakes and have that 'Canadiana trees and rock' feel to it. And those ones with the islands, they’re picturesque. They’re gorgeous,” Tempany said.

For the two agents, their early goals are clear for the new location.

They want to “develop a reputation amongst the community that these guys really know what they’re doing when it comes to waterfront. There’s nobody that works in our office (who) doesn’t understand riparian rights,” Monahan said.

“Those are the things the average agent, (who) doesn’t specialize in waterfront, will not know. And when you’re dealing with properties like this, you can’t afford not to be an expert,” Monahan said.

Overall, the real estate market is offering plenty of hope, said Tempany.

“I was in a multiple offer (situation) last week, and that’s the first one I’ve had in about three and a half years. So, that tells you that the market seems to be changing. What we’re seeing is the confidence coming back.”