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ADVERTISING FEATURE or potential cottage buyers, late Fsummer and early autumn repâ€" resent an ideal buying period in cottage country, with prices heading downward and availability heading upward, according to Royal LePage real estate agents in cottage country. "‘There are really two reasons for buying a cottage," says John O‘Rourke, branch manager of the Royal LePage office in Bracebridge, covering the Muskoka region. "In the spring, families think about buying a cottage so they can enjoy it over the summer months, and may pay a bit more. By late summer, sellers are getâ€" ting more eager to move their properâ€" ties and may be more flexible in their selling prices than they would be at the beginning of the summer season." The Huntsville/Lake of Bays area is the hot spot in cottage country this summer. Larry Ireland, branch manâ€" ager of the Huntsville Royal LePage office, reports that the number of vacation properties turned over is up 90 per cent this summer compared to last summer. The average price of cotâ€" tages sold there is now $128,000, an Ideal time to buy cottage AIM HIGHER... Call one of our Sales Representatives EoS i1101 before you list! ROYAL LEPAGE ?2270 227 Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Broker $349,000. South of Lakeshore on private .34 acres. Country charm of pine floors, beamed ceil ings, skylites! 4â€"bdrm., den sitting rms. off master. One of a kind! $599,000. Your own resort in town! Bright 3â€" bdrm. home, great liv. rm., kitchen fam. rm. Maple herring bone floor. Skylites, glass block much more to enjoy. See .13 ACRE + STREAM _ | IRENE CARLEY* 338â€"3737 increase of 16 per cent from last year. The recent trend is moving towards buying yearâ€"round resiâ€" dences, with many babyâ€"boomers approaching retirement and becoming interested in settling permanently in cottage country. ‘‘We‘ve seen a lot of that this summer," says Bert Hawkins, associate broker at Royal LePage in Peterborough, which covers the Kawartha Lakes region. "More and more couples are buying older cotâ€" tages and converting them into homes for their retirement. Winterization of cottages and access to amenities yearâ€" round are increasingly. important to buyers." In the Quebec Gatineau region, Bernard Rioux, branch manager of the Royal LePage office in Hull, sees a similar trend operating across a range of ages: "I also see younger families looking for cottages on a lake and close to ski hills so that they can use the cottage 12 months of the year." Rioux notes that the Gatineaus hold particular attraction for many buyers in the Ottawa area since prices there can be up to 40 per cent lower than comparable areas in Ontario. $133,400. Fresh paint new vinyl make this 3â€"bdrm. townhome a great "justâ€"moveâ€"in" starter. Finished 2 rooms on lower level. Close to schools. Immediate possession! $359,000. Built in 1900, this lovely 3,800 s.f. home on 3/8 ac. with small barn is anxious for new owners. Convenient location, lovely lot, great potential! Spacious 2 bdrms. + den with sunken livin room. Lovely mantle gas FP. Update throughout. Overlooks lake Toronto skyâ€" line. Don‘t miss out! $159,000. A GEM WITH A VIEW! *Sales Representative _ **Associate Broker Royal LePage experts recommend developing a checkâ€"list to prioritize what a family is looking for in a cotâ€" tage. Some areas of importance could include: * proximity to home; * the quality of the drinking water; * property tax levels; * the reliability of the septic system; * access to main roads; * access to winter amenities such as snow removal and skiing; * recreational activities and events in the area; * type of lake (would a large lake for sailing and boating be preferable, or would a smaller lake with good fishâ€" ing be more appropriate?); and * type of shoreline (rocky or sandy). Real estate agents can help a famiâ€" ly develop their own checkâ€"list and recommend suitable properties that are available. Royal LePage is Canada‘s leading fullâ€"service real estate company, with nearly 9,300 employees and representatives in resiâ€" dential, commercial and associate broker offices across Canada, and more than 130 real estate agents in Ontario and Quebec vacation areas. Architect designed for this spectacular private site on the river. OAKVILLE COUNTRY LIVING OAKVILLE Mfimfium 845â€"8529 e 239 LAKESHORE RD . F Juot roller blading Royal LePage Real Estate Services Lid., Broker $1,200,000. Spectacular coach house totally restonsd %pprox 1.33 acre Estate, completely seclu ed tom Lakeshore Road. For appiontâ€" ment call DINA HAUCK Sales Representative 251 North Service Road West, Oakville Member of Oakville Toronto District Real Estate Boards Associate Broker