In an effort to promote greater transparency and efficiency in our local markets, I am providing below regular in-season updates on waterfront activity across the 12 major waterbodies of the western Kawarthas*. If you are interested in a precise valuation of your property, please contact me at (705) 438-3000 or email me and I would be happy to provide a value estimate at no cost.
~ David Donais, Broker of Record/Owner
* Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon, Pigeon, Crystal, Four Mile, Shadow, Head, Mitchell, Canal and Dalrymple lakes as well as the Burnt River.
The average Sale Price-to-MPAC Assessed Value Ratio for waterfront sales across the western Kawarthas has fallen below 2.0x for the first time since the early days of the pandemic. High levels of listing inventory – there were 183 active waterfront listings as at May 31st - combined with buyer caution arising from higher gas prices and resulting recession fears have placed downward pressure on prices. Sales volumes remain relatively strong.
Waterfront sales across the western Kawarthas picked up substantially in April 2026 with 13 sales, the highest number since the peak pandemic years. Sturgeon Lake was the most active lake with 5 sales. Active listings continue to ramp up, with 116 waterfront listings as at April 30th. I expect the number of listings to increase significantly as we head into May. This large listing inventory has kept prices low, with the average Sale Price-to-MPAC Assessed Value ratio hovering around 2.0 for 2026 sales.
Waterfront sales across the western Kawarthas are off to their slowest start in the past seven years with only 11 sales from January 1 to March 31. I attribute this primarily to the long, cold winter and especially to the war in Iran, which has further damaged fragile buyer psychology. Meanwhile the number of active listings is increasing rapidly with 90 as at March 31st. Sturgeon Lake has the highest number of active listings with 26.
