Fishing on the Kawartha's

 

Fishing on the Kawartha's 

Summer is in full swing and warmer temperatures on the rise, this means it's time to get out on the lake for some fishing. If you are lucky enough to have a cottage on the Kawartha's you are probably already eager and excited to get out on the water. The best thing about fishing is that it's for everyone and doesn't take much to get into. You can either enjoy it from a boat with a huge variety of tackle and accessories, or it can be enjoyed from shore with a simple hook and worm. 

Fishing is very relaxing and can be so enjoyable if you love being on the lake. The Kawartha Lakes are home to many fish species such as Large and Smallmouth bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, Perch, and a variety of panfish. With so much space between all the lakes you can fish for days! Early mornings are best when fishing for Bass, this species likes to stay in cooler areas of the lake and weed beds. During the day fishing for walleye trolling over the weed beds during this time seems to work best on them. The feeding frenzy for these fish really starts in the evening. When fishing for Muskie early morning or late evening is best on these lakes. They typically go for gold and black color lurers and can be found in deeper weed beds. Panfish are perhaps the easiest of all the fish to find, they are excellent for introducing youngster to the joys of fishing. They take rapidly to a worm and hook and can easily be caught from shore.

If you don't own your own boat there are opportunities to charter fishing trips in the Kawartha's where the locals on the lake can take you to the best spots for fishing. You can also rent boats from some of the many resorts located in the Kawartha's if you'd like to go on your own. If you don't catch any fish there's always spectacular scenery and views easily found anywhere within the Kawartha's. Rest assured weather you are an avid fisherman or just wanting to get out on a weekend for fun, you are guaranteed to enjoy a fishing trip on the Kawartha lakes.                  

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Waterfront Property With A Price Point To Get You On The Kawarthas!

 

Waterfront Property With A Price Point To Get You On The Kawarthas!

Just minutes from Bobcaygeon, this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home is a blank canvas allowing you to make it your own. With over 1.346 acres of land, you will have the privacy desired while enjoying direct access to the waterfront. A boathouse situated on the water's edge provides many possibilities. Nogies Creek allows full access to the Trent Severn Waterway. 

**For more information on this listing please contact our team by calling/texting: 705-927-6236 or emailing: bradpsinclair@gmail.com**

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Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Find out what you don’t know

**Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under agency contract**

Balsam Lake Provincial Park

 Balsam Lake Provincial Park

Balsam Lake Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in Ontario located approximately 2 hours from Toronto. There are 5 campgrounds and 3 hiking trails, as well as a large clean sandy beach on Balsam Lake, where you can rent canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. This lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the Kawartha Lakes area, which makes for great swimming. The park is approximately 449 hectares in size. There are education programs throughout July and August, where you can learn about the natural environment and local history through a variety of children's programs, guided hikes, evening presentations and more.

There is also some great fishing for large and smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge. You can find a wide range of birds from hummingbirds, cardinals, Northern orioles, Pileated woodpeckers, hawks, osprey and owls. Balsam Lake Provincial Park contains suitable habitat for other species at risk found in the immediate vicinity of the park. Other wildlife that maybe found within the park include white-tail deer, wild turkey, racoon, frogs and turtles. Projects to enhance or restore native wildlife habitat will be considered and implemented where feasible and appropriate.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park offers many different options for accommodations and camping. Explore the shores of Balsam Lake via the hiking trails. Plantation Trail (4.2 km) and Lookout Trail (2.6 km) are both connected by Lorie’s Link (2.7km). Lakeshore trail (1km) runs along the shore of Balsam Lake providing pedestrian access from the lakeshore campgrounds to the day-use area including the boat launch, boat rentals and beach. Self-use cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also available in the winter.

There is a tree nursery area located within the park to grow seedlings for in-park restoration and landscaping projects. This nursery may be expanded. Balsam Lake Provincial Park will be maintained in as natural a state as possible. Native plant species may be planted for the purpose of restoration, enhancement of existing natural areas, shoreline management, or rehabilitation of trails, roads, or campsites.

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

FIND OUT WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW. EPISODE 10. WHEN YOU NO LONGER WANT TO OWN A COTTAGE

 WHEN YOU NO LONGER WANT TO OWN A COTTAGE

For many Canadians a luxury that we can enjoy is a family cottage, a camp or a forest getaway. These beautiful places offer a place to rejuvenate in quietness and solitude. Or maybe it is the time spent with family. Or maybe time on the trail.

Like anything, nothing lasts forever. The little boy who swung in the tire swing on the large oak now lives thousands of miles away raising his own family. The little girl who loved swimming off the dock that is now a teenager and not that excited to hang out with Mom and Dad with no internet. It could be you, you are past your prime and the extra work you are no longer able to do easily.

The deep affection we feel for these properties because of the amazing memories can truly distort the prospective when it comes to considering to sell the property. What do you mean you are selling the family cottage? We love that place! Sure you love it son/daughter but you have not been to the property in 3 years and you do not contribute a dime to the expenses!

Other considerations that one my look at when it might be time to sell is tax considerations, family financial obligations, maybe family’s can not afford to carry the property. You have to consider different generations with different attitudes and goals. The younger generation may want to see the world by travelling. A big one that I see personally is when the commitment of weekly visits just becomes a pain. That pain could be from the 3 hour drive on Friday night and back on Sunday,  kids and sports. New hobbies and interests or maybe new love!

The whole point of the recreational property is to relax, bring family and friends together but ultimately bring joy. When these things are not happening, it is time to start the decision process why you are going to keep the property, or why you are going to sell it.

Selling a cottage is truly a business decision. Like any property that is being purchased and sold. It is better to leave emotion out of the deal, and I realize that is easy to say but unbelievably hard to do in reality. Some of the major mistakes I have seen in the past is looking at the property with rose coloured glasses. You look at your property and see all the special memories, blood, sweat and tears you gave to purchase, kept and maintain the property for so many years. The problem is buyers do not see this with the same lens. They see their own scarifies to purchase, their own hopes and dreams, not yours. You may think your cottage is the best cottage on the lake and going to price it accordingly. Is it the best cottage or is it the rose colour glasses distorting the truth?

Once you have exhausted any and all reasons to keep the property for yourself and your family, it is time to put the property on the market. The first question most want to know is, what is my property worth? To get the correct value of your property is to find a Realtor that works the lakes and can give you documented facts on true value. Don’t be afraid to invite a few agents. The medium price given is most likely your actual value.

Next, you must choose who you are going to list with. Should I choice my friend from the city to list my rural recreational property or should I list with a local agent that knows the lakes, politics, can refer additional resources and usually already has buyers in their pocket? I know which one I would choice who would be best for myself and my family but some feel that their friend that works the city is the best choice. But it is your choice!

Communication is key with everyone involved. Making sure everyone in the family is on the same page with the right reasons why it is time to sell. This will solve a ton of heart ache and bitterness down the road. Also communication with your chosen Realtor is extremely important. Your Realtor must know all the details of the why’s, the troubles, the excitement and the dread. For the Realtor to take you down the correct path of a successful sale, all details must be known no matter how hard it is to tell a complete stranger your problems.

Buying and selling real estate is an emotional, complicated and possibly difficult time in ones life. If you go though all the correct steps in the decision making, you will find that the process can be much less taxing on you and your family.

Watch Video Here!

What is your cottage worth? Click here to find out

When your recreation or waterfront property is no longer rainbows and sunshine, we offer concrete solutions to Life‘s curveballs. Call us today for a clear path. We will look after everything.

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Is it time to sell

Is it time to sell

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market. Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on.

However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it may be time to sell. Consider the following:

1. 1. Your Property is no longer a Good “Fit”
      Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But things change. Families grow. Interests change. Needs evolve. For any number of reasons, your property may no longer be a good fit for you. If that’s the case, it makes sense to at least take a look at what’s available on the market. Who knows? Your next “perfect” home may be for sale right now — within your price range!
   2. The Neighbourhood is Changing
      You may have been in love with the neighbourhood when you first moved in. But, over time, the characteristics of any area can change. Those changes don’t necessarily mean the neighbourhood is getting worse. In fact, it may be changing in a positive way; perhaps becoming more urban. But, “more urban” may not be what you want. So take a look at the direction your neighbourhood is heading. Ask yourself, “Do I still want to be living here in two years?”
   3. You’re Ready for Your Dream Home
      Remember when you purchased your current property? Did it have every feature you wanted? Was it your dream home? Or, did you have to compromise on a few things, such as the size of the kitchen? If you had to make some tough choices back then, it might be time for you to finally get the home of your dreams.

Those are just three indicators it may be time for you to make a move. Of course, there are many others.

If you’ve been entertaining the idea of selling your property and finding your next dream home, give me a call. *When your recreation or waterfront property is no longer rainbows and sunshine, we offer concrete solutions to Life‘s curveballs. Call us today for a clear path. We will look after it. *

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

 

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Petroglyphs Provincial Park is one of the most unique provincial parks in Ontario. Visitors can get a glimpse back to a time more than 1,000 years ago, when First Nations peoples created traditional carvings or petroglyphs in the various rock formations located within the park. Petroglyphs Provincial Park holds the largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. Petroglyphs Provincial Park was established 1976, and in 2002 The Learning Place visitor center opened. Petroglyphs Provincial Park is located in Central Ontario just off of the north shores of Upper Stoney Lake about 45-minutes from the city of Peterborough. With spectacular history, modern uses, ample wildlife, and beautiful hiking trails for everyone to enjoy. The park is also day-use only and there is no camping. There are also strict opening and closing times, so using the park after closing is not allowed. However, there is camping nearby for those who wish to spend a weekend at the park. Visiting during the week is recommended in order to have the best experience.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park is an excellent destination for educational trips, bird/nature watching and hikers. The ‘Teaching Rock’ is one of the few known petroglyph sites located in the Canadian Shield. There is no photography or videography allowed within the Teaching Rock complex. A building now sits over the Teaching Rock to protect the ancient carvings from the elements. The Learning Place visitors center is where you will find a wealth of information about the petroglyphs along with knowledge about the life and traditions of Ojibway People from ancient to modern life.

The presence of a subterranean stream below the petroglyphs site, makes a rumbling sound that was thought to be the voice of a spirit, this may account for its reputation as a religious site and may have been the subject of some of the extensive carvings found here. The present-day forest cover is mainly medium-age pine and hardwoods on shallow soils. The open rock areas have scattered trees and shrubs, while the lower, wetter areas often contain ash or elm forests or willow-alder thickets. Since the early 1960s, most of the park area has been within a timber license area and managed for timber production on a continuous basis. Pruning and thinning of natural and planted white and red pine stands occur on a regular basis. Approximately 130,000 white pine, 250,000 red pine and 100,000 white spruce were planted within the park area and the immediate vicinity.

As the park has been designated a historical park and is limited to day use only the limited additional activities are mainly wildlife viewing and hiking. The trails range in difficulty and length, Marsh Trail is the longest trail in the park and moderately difficult, Ratarat Trail is the shortest most convenient, Nanabush Trail is long but easily, West Day-Use Trail is of moderate difficulty.

 Its location at the edge of the Canadian Shield and bordering the Peterborough Crown Game Reserve provides for some dramatic scenery and includes large populations of indigenous animals such as beaver, otter, white-tailed deer, chipmunks, fishers, wolves and many species of birds including woodpeckers, grey jays, wild turkeys, hawks, northern flickers, ruffled grouse and if your lucky enough bald and golden eagles can sometimes be spotted in the winter months.

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

What are Capital Gains

 What are Capital Gains?

Ahhhh, good old Capital Gains. Hello everyone, Brad Sinclair here from the Brad Sinclair Team at Royal Heritage.

Today's topic, What is Capital Gains? Capital Gains is a tax you pay when you sell a secondary property for more than you paid for it, less any legitimate expenses associated with its sale

Side note. Before we go any further, to be clear, Capital Gains
does not get collected on the sale of your principal residence……For now.

How much will you pay in capital gains? That question is best to be answered by your accountant, not your realtor. That said, I will give you a rough calculation for “understanding” purposes here in this video.

Ok, On a capital gain of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), you will be tax on 50% of the profit, which would be fifty thousand dollars($50,000). For a Canadian whose tax bracket is at 33% marginal tax bracket for example the gain would be sixteen thousand, five hundred dollars ($16500) of taxes owed. The remaining eighty three thousand, five hundred ($83,000) is the investors to keep.

If you want to get a better idea of what your capital gains tax looks like before you speak to your accountant, there are many capital gains calculators online that can provide some clarity.

There are a two certainties in life: death and taxes. As I said Capital Gains is the swear word in the world of real estate. The simple fact is you live in Canada, you make money off an asset, you will pay tax on it. Just the way it is!

Written for you by:

Your local Realtor®

If you are looking to either Buy or Sell contact me at

705-927-6236

Brad Sinclair, Sales Representative

Team Lead at The Brad Sinclair Team

Royal Heritage Realty

Your inside source for cottage country waterfront real estate

What is a Flood Plain and Shoreline Erosion?

What is a Flood Plain and Shoreline Erosion?

Do you know what a floodplain is? More importantly do you know what a floodplain is before you purchase a waterfront property? Well, if you don’t know, stay with me here for a minute.

My name is Brad Sinclair, and let me help you buy or sell your waterfront property. So what is a floodplain and why should you care?

Floodplains are the flat, barren or vegetated areas at the edge of lakes, streams and rivers. Floodplains are usually at or near the same elevation as for example the top of the river bank or the high water mark of a lake. Some flooding can be expected every year. All rivers, lakes and streams flood at one time or another. Usually flooding occurs during the spring run off or after an extreme rain fall.

Building on Flood Plains is now extremely restricted. No one wants to have their basement turn into a swimming pool every spring. But many older builds were built on flood plains, something your Realtor should warn you about before you purchase a waterfront property. You can assess the danger zone yourself by keeping an eye out for evidence of high water marks, past basement damage or the most obvious the central air conditioner on a four foot stand, don’t laugh, I have seen it!

In todays codes in Ontario there is a minimum distance, called a setback that a building now can be built from a lake or river. The setbacks are regulated by the local municipality but only have been enforced in the last 20 years or so.  Also, for septic tanks every municipality has guidelines on minimum setbacks and clearances for septic system absorption areas. Again, these are things you should be looking into before purchasing.

Floodplains are prone to shoreline erosion. To help prevent erosions from flooding, leave your shoreline as natural as possible. There is a natural price to pay if you want to remove vegetation or trees. Vegetation and trees are essential for maintaining the integrity of the shoreline and help stop erosion. I have seen limestone break walls used as a natural looking way to stop erosion. Just be sure before you start the work proper permits in place!

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Why shoreline road allowances are so important to have knowledge on when purchasing your waterfront dream!

 First of all, what is a shoreline road allowance (SRA)? Well, in the late 19th century the Crown instructed their surveyors to lay out 66-Foot road allowances along the banks of lakes and rivers in Ontario. These road allowances were used for logging and transportation of goods. Today, there is very little use, if at all commercially for the road allowances. Since road allowances were no longer of interest to the general public for commercial uses the road allowances were turned over by the Crown to the individual municipality the lakes were in. This leaving the road allowances being owned publicly.

Over the years individual land owners were offered to purchase the SRA from the municipality to have exclusive use. Having ownership of the SRA would mean there would be less restrictions the seller would have on usage and building. Many did purchase the SRA, many did not. In the past municipalities would not enforce rules so many cottages, boathouses and docks were built on these SRA’s. In todays tighter enforcement and environmental protection, problems can now arise with current and future usage if the SRA is not owned. That said “riparian rights” does say you could build a dock on the SRA, for example and enjoy it without any problems.

Closing or purchasing your SRA was always an option at anytime as long as land owner was willing to pay the costs of purchase plus a purchase price to the municipality. No one could purchase the SRA other then the abutting land owner. There is an application process to purchase the SRA, I would recommend to approach the municipal planner about any plans to do so. There are some municipalities now that limit how many of the SRA’s they sell per year as the SRA’s are future funds for the municipality. They would like to spread out the returns as rates escalate over time along with real estate values.

In some cases purchasing the SRA just does not make sense for a property owner. Existing cottages and buildings are well off the SRA. Their access is secured by riparian rights, so usage is not an issue. As long as there is no future plans to build or need the set back amounts there is no reason to purchase.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to ask!

Written for you by:

Your local Realtor®

If you are looking to either Buy or Sell contact me at

705-927-6236

Brad Sinclair, Sales Representative

Team Lead at The Brad Sinclair Team

Royal Heritage Realty

Your inside source for cottage country waterfront real estate

About: Pigeon Lake in the Kawarthas

Pigeon Lake and Area

 

Pigeon Lake is located in the Kawarthas bordered by two counties, County of Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes. There are many settlements along Pigeon, but Bobcaygeon is the largest town located on the northwest shores of the lake. In Bobcaygeon, you will find lockage from Pigeon Lake to Sturgeon Lake. (see pictures below).

Boating into Bobcaygeon

Marina services in Bobcaygeon

Boat dockage to visit and shop Bobcaygeon. Lockage into Sturgeon Lake

Pigeon Lake landmarks and sister lakes

Pigeon Lake is part of a three primary lake system in the Trent Severn Waterway system called the Tri-lake water system. This includes Chemong Lake and Buckhorn Lake. To enter the other two lakes accessed can be found through Gannon’s Narrows. The major landmark is the Gannon’s Narrows Bridge. (see pictures below). Although Pigeon is referred to as the Tri-lake system, you can enter two more lakes on the northeast area of the lake called Big and Little Bald Lakes.

Gannon's Narrows Bridge from Pigeon Lake heading to Buckhorn Lake

Pigeon Lake through Gannon's Narrows showing Ennismore (Township Of Selwyn, County of Peterborough)

Pigeon Lake Fishing

Pigeon lake is 13,205 acres in size, with an average depth of 9.8 feet. The deepest area on the lake located on the north end of the lake has the depths of 57 feet. Pigeon holds many species of fish, including large and smallmouth bass, Muskie, Crappie, Walleye. I have been told you can find Northern Pike on the lake, but I have never seen any.

Muskellunge chasing Bass

Pigeon Lake North and South

I titled this the majestic north Pigeon Lake as I think north Pigeon Lake is one of the nicest, most naturally beautiful areas in the Kawarthas. Once you go south of Gannon’s Narrows on Pigeon you enter a whole new ecological system. The waters are much more shallow, plant growth is abundant, and there is a wild rice dispute with local property owners and Curve Lake First Nations. Find out more about the wild rice dispute watch “Cottagers and Indians” documentary aired by CBC.

[caption id="attachment_5654" align="aligncenter" width="804"]Sunset from Trent Lakes looking toward Bobcaygeon

Pigeon Lake and Kawartha Land Trust

Also found in north Pigeon Lake is Boyd Island. This island is a 1085 acre island that is owned and protected by Kawartha Land Trust. Also known as Big Island or Chiminis Island this property was donated by Mike and Terry Wilson for all to enjoy in 2015. Activities that are encouraged on the island are fishing, hiking, day camping, and research. No hunting, night camping, or alcohol is allowed.

Selling Pigeon Lake

As a Realtor, I usually sell north Pigeon Lake as a recreational property or very high-end residential properties. South Pigeon Lake is also known for a mixture of usage properties but I would say most properties are used as residential because of the proximity and the quick drive to significant center's Lindsay and Peterborough.

Pigeon Lake offers so much to so many. Fishing, boating, sandbars for swimming, shallow and deep waters, towns, and settlements. You will also find campgrounds, overnight facilities, and many easy access boat launches.

Written for you by:

Your local Realtor®

If you are looking to either Buy or Sell in Selwyn or Peterborough contact me at 705-927-6236

 

The Brad Sinclair Team

Brad Sinclair, Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty

The Inside Source to Waterfront Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

www.bradsinclair.ca

www.kawarthawaterfront.ca