There was reason for optimism in Simcoe County’s housing market last month. In January 2025, home sales in Simcoe County totalled 480 units, a 27.7-per-cent jump from 376 in the same month last year. The average sale price reached $841,757, a 6.6-per-cent increase from January 2024.
January’s market performance has set a positive tone for the year ahead, with rising sales, strong price growth, and a significant increase in new listings, Simcoe County continues to attract buyers while offering greater opportunities for sellers.
Other positive market indicators include a surge in new listings (1,419 properties hit the market last month, up 29.7 per cent year-over-year), active listings (climbed 78.2 per cent year-over-year to 2,536) and months of inventory (rose by 39.6 per cent to 5.3 in January).
Moving during the winter comes with unique challenges for our communities, but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth and stress-free experience. From dealing with icy roads to protecting your belongings from the elements, these five essential tips will help ensure a safe winter move.
1. Prepare for Unpredictable Winter Weather
Preparation is key when moving in winter. Since weather conditions can change rapidly, planning ahead can help you avoid unnecessary stress. Staying in touch with your realtor and lawyer is crucial if poor weather is expected on your closing day.
Check the Weather Forecast – Monitor the forecast daily leading up to moving day. If conditions are unsafe, consider rescheduling rather than risking an accident.
Dress Appropriately – Wear layers, waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, and sturdy boots with good traction. Keep spare socks and hand warmers on hand for extra warmth.
Clear Walkways – Shovel and salt driveways, sidewalks, and entryways at both your old and new homes to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
2. Protect Your Belongings from the Cold
Cold temperatures and wet conditions can damage your items if they’re not properly packed. Use these precautions to keep your belongings safe:
Use Waterproof Covers – Protect furniture and boxes from snow and moisture with plastic covers or tarps.
Wrap Fragile Items – Shield temperature-sensitive items like electronics and glassware with blankets, bubble wrap, or thermal covers.
Secure Your Load – Inside the moving truck, use tie-down straps or bungee cords to prevent shifting during transport.
Have Towels Ready – Keep old towels handy to wipe down wet surfaces, protect flooring, or add extra padding to delicate items.
Extra Precautions for Cold-Sensitive Items:
Houseplants: Place plants in a bag, double-bagging them for extra insulation in extreme cold. Paper provides better insulation than plastic. Keep them in the warmest part of the vehicle, away from drafts or direct contact with cold surfaces.
Electronics: Wrap laptops, TVs, and other sensitive devices in blankets or padded covers to prevent cold damage.
Liquids: Cleaning products, beverages, and toiletries can freeze in low temperatures. Transport them in insulated coolers if possible.
Wooden Furniture & Antiques: Cold and temperature fluctuations can cause wood to crack or warp. Wrap items in blankets and secure them with stretch wrap.
3. Drive Safely on Snowy Roads
Driving a moving truck or personal vehicle in snowy conditions requires extra caution. Keep these tips in mind:
Reduce Speed – Drive slowly and maintain extra distance between vehicles to allow for longer stopping times.
Avoid Sudden Movements – Make gradual turns and avoid sudden braking to prevent skidding.
Use GPS Updates – Stay informed about road conditions and choose the safest route. Let someone know your travel plans and check in periodically.
4. Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Travel
If you’re using your personal vehicle in addition to a moving truck, ensure it’s winter-ready.
Check Tires – Ensure your tires have good tread and proper inflation. Snow tires or chains may be necessary in some regions.
Top Up Fluids – Fill up antifreeze and windshield washer fluid rated for cold temperatures. Ensure wipers, defrosters, and heaters are in working order.
Pack an Emergency Kit – Have essentials on hand in case of unexpected delays or roadside emergencies:
Blankets or sleeping bags
Flashlights with extra batteries
Non-perishable snacks and water
Jumper cables
Sand or kitty litter for traction
A portable phone charger
5. Get Help for a Hassle-Free Move
A winter move is easier with support. Whether you hire professional movers or enlist friends, extra help can make a significant difference.
Hire Experienced Movers – Professional movers accustomed to winter conditions can manage heavy lifting while ensuring safety on icy paths and roads.
Coordinate with Friends & Family – If doing it yourself, ensure your helpers understand the challenges and are dressed for the weather. Provide hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate to keep everyone warm and motivated.
A Smooth Winter Move Awaits
Moving in snowy conditions may seem overwhelming, but with proper planning and teamwork, it can be a smooth experience. By preparing your vehicle, packing wisely, and driving cautiously, you’ll soon be settling into your new home. If you need recommendations for reliable movers, we’re here to help!
Here’s to a safe, successful move—and the exciting new chapter ahead.
Whether you’ve just moved into your dream home or noticed new faces next door, building good relationships with your neighbours is always worth the effort. Avoid unnecessary disputes and create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with these five simple tips.
1. Introduce Yourself
You don’t need to show up with a casserole like in the movies, but making a friendly introduction goes a long way.
If you’re the newcomer, take the initiative to say hello. Let your neighbours know you’re eager to be a good neighbour and ask for recommendations on local coffee shops, grocery stores, or the best route to work or school. They’ll likely appreciate the conversation and be happy to help.
If you spot someone new moving in, give them a warm welcome. Knock on their door to introduce yourself or leave a friendly note with your contact information. This opens the door for communication without feeling intrusive.
2. Know Your Boundaries
Understanding property lines can prevent future headaches.
Review your property documents to clarify where your lot begins and ends, especially before installing fences, sheds, or landscaping.
Identify which trees belong to whom to avoid accidental trimming mishaps. If a tree on your property could affect your neighbour, ensure it’s well-maintained.
If a fence sits on the property line, ownership is typically shared. This means both parties are responsible for upkeep and costs, so it’s best to have a clear agreement in place.
3. Communicate Openly
Even great neighbours can run into occasional issues, but good communication can resolve most problems before they escalate.
If your neighbour’s dog barks constantly or their overgrown hedge is encroaching on your garden, address it calmly and constructively. They may not even be aware of the issue.
Instead of assuming the worst, approach conversations with a willingness to find a solution that works for both of you.
4. Be Considerate
The best neighbours offer the same understanding they’d like in return.
If your neighbour occasionally throws a party, consider letting it slide—chances are, they’ll extend the same courtesy when you host a gathering.
Give your neighbours a heads-up if you’re planning noisy activities, like home renovations or late-night get-togethers. A little warning can go a long way in maintaining goodwill.
5. Be a Good Neighbour in Winter
Canadian winters can be tough, and a little kindness during snowy months goes a long way.
Shovel and salt responsibly – Keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice, and if you notice an elderly neighbour struggling, consider lending a hand.
Be mindful of snow placement – Avoid piling snow onto a neighbour’s driveway or blocking their walkway.
Watch out for parking etiquette – If street parking is limited due to snowbanks, ensure you’re not blocking access to driveways or taking up more space than necessary.
Check in during storms – If there’s a major snowfall or power outage, check on vulnerable neighbours to see if they need assistance.
By making an effort to be friendly, respectful, and considerate year-round, you can create a positive, neighbourly environment where everyone feels at home.
New listings in December 2024 totalled 599, representing a 22.75% increase compared to December 2023, though down 60.20% from November 2024’s 1,505 new listings. Active listings stood at 2,573, a 73.38% rise year-over-year and a 28.80% decrease from November 2024. The months of inventory metric remained steady at 6.68, pointing to balanced market conditions that offer opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
December’s year-over-year growth in sales and steady market conditions highlight the strength of Simcoe County’s housing market. As we closed out 2024, the data reinforces our region’s attractiveness and adaptability, with more options available to buyers and sustained value for sellers. Looking ahead, Simcoe County continues to provide a dynamic landscape for real estate.
Our community has been in the grip of a classic winter lately. With plenty of snow, harsh winds and frigid temperatures, there’s nothing like coming home to a nice warm, inviting house. With the cold weather looking set to stay, it’s important to find ways to keep your home cozy but the costs down.
We’ve compiled a list of 5 ways to help you stay toasty through this winter wonderland!
1. KEEP COLD AIR OUTSIDE AND WARM AIR INSIDE
Check for areas in your home where drafts are allowing cold air in and warm air to escape. Check windows and doorways for drafts. You may be able to add simple insulation in the form of weather stripping to reduce the loss of warm air and better insulate your home. If your home is an older home, a further investigation on your home’s insulation status may prompt you to consider better insulation in areas such as attics or ceilings.
2. USE THE SUN FOR FREE HEAT
Open curtains on south-facing windows on sunny days. Streams of sunlight will gently warm those areas. Close window treatments when the sun goes down and on overcast days.
3. USE CEILING FANS IN THE WINTER
During the summertime, ceiling fans are most efficient when their blades rotate in a counterclockwise or forward direction. Did you know you can switch the direction of your blades with a toggle, typically located near the motor.
As winter approaches, optimizing your ceiling fan for the season is essential. For colder months, adjust your fan’s blades to rotate clockwise (or in reverse). This clockwise direction helps draw room air upwards, guiding warm air towards the ceiling and then gently forcing it down and towards the walls.
4. REFRAIN FROM HEATING UNUSED SPACES TO CONSERVE HEAT
If you have rooms in your home that are unused, don’t waste heating energy and money by heating them. Consider reducing heat sent to guest rooms, laundry rooms, or storage areas. Close and seal off vents in those rooms, close doors, and conduct the flow of warm air to rooms that you use more regularly.
5. SUPPLEMENT YOUR HEAT SOURCE TO HEAT YOUR HOME
You may want to consider adding additional heat sources (such as a space heater or using your fireplace) to warm key rooms while you are inhabiting them. Using additional heat sources can help you to better control specific rooms in your home – keep the temperature in those rooms toasty without adding heat to the whole house.
Which techniques have you been using this winter to keep your home warm? Let us know!
Across the region, we saw dips in some important categories. Decreases included; Active Listings and Average Price. Active Listings were down across the communities as the market started to wind down in anticipation of the Holiday Season. However, buyers that are looking at this time of year are always motivated and we saw a nice 14% rise in sales across the region and also a smaller Days On Market.
A combination of the Holiday Season along with the anticipation of another rate change saw the local markets slow down. Locally, we saw decreases across the board in Average Prices except for in Tiny, where we saw a massive 76% rise in Prices. In most communities we also saw Sales Activity was up and Days On Market were down – a great sign that the Buyer’s whom are shopping right now are highly motivated and active. With interest rates continuing to drop, we are expecting to continue to see a rise in prices across the region. It’s a great time to check in with your trusted For Sale On Georgian Bay agent to learn what your property is worth or even how much equity you’ve built.
Every year we are humbled to be nominated by our Community for award consideration. Your belief in us to guide you through some of the biggest transactions of your lives is our fuel.
We are so excited to once again see our very own Michael Seguin become a finalist for “Best Real Estate Broker”, of course, Michael isn’t just a Broker – he’s the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Experience Realty! Last year’s Winner, Victoria Badger is also a finalist again in the “Best Real Estate Agent” Category. Victoria is joined by another previous winner as Jessica Radecki is also a finalist in the “Best Real Estate Agent” Category. Congratulations to Michael, Victoria and Jessica – everyone at For Sale On Georgian Bay is so happy and proud of you!
We are also excited to be nominated as a Team for “Best Real Estate Office” again, an accolade that we have won for 3 years in a row. Also, our brokerage, Keller Williams Experience Brokerage has been nominated again for “Best Real Estate Brokerage”. Thank you once again to our amazing community, clients and supporters for nominating us year over year.
