Horseshoe Copeland House A Great Place To Purchase

By Mark Cohen

The recent introduction of whole-ownership condominiums at Horseshoe Copeland House has met with tremendous success from both investors and buyers who intend to live at the resort during all or part of the year. This indicates a trend that I see gaining steam as people look outward from Toronto and beyond. When it comes to condominiums, things are changing in how and where they spend their real estate dollars.

The City of Toronto was the launching point for condos in a cosmopolitan setting, but over the past few years, we’ve seen residences popping up in the suburbs. In both of the stellar years of 2010 and 2011, when upwards of 28,000 condo suites were sold across the GTA, the percentage of sales in the 905 areas jumped from 5 to 35! This year, the demand is strong as well. I suggest that this outward migration will continue to the 705 areas, which include Barrie.  

There are several reasons for this change in buying patterns. As condos became popular in Toronto and prices per square foot rose, investors looked to opportunities that were more affordable. Simultaneously, land for low-rise building in the 905 municipalities became scarce and skyrocketed in price, and the Ontario Places to Grow Act called for building “up” instead of “out.” The perfect solution was to introduce condominiums, which are being embraced wholeheartedly across Peel, Halton, York and Durham Regions. As condo popularity spreads out from the city, the next frontier is the 705 area.

Financially, investing in condos makes sense. A study done a couple years ago by Urbanation concluded that everything rents for approximately $2.00 per square foot. Asking for $1,100 and up per month is feasible, and this rent will most likely carry the suite. This is great news for those who buy condominiums as investments without knowing where they are going to live in the future. A condo is a super place to park your money until you decide.

But what about resort properties in the 705 areas, where suites may not rent all of the year? Because tenants have access to an incredible number of resort amenities, owners can command much higher rents. For example, a rental suite at Copeland House might rent for 60 per cent of the year and still bring in the equivalent of $2 per square foot for 12 months - a fairly safe bet when it comes to investing for financial and/or lifestyle reasons. And with advancements in technology, more people are choosing a resort as their main residence. They can work from home with access to clients all over the world while living in idyllic surroundings.

Add to that the perks that come with owning at a resort, and the appeal is understandable. At Horseshoe Resort & Village, owners have 52 activities in their backyard. From skiing and snowshoeing to golf and treetop trekking, there is something fun to do 365 days a year. Upon closing, buyers also receive a SkyLife Club membership valued at $25,000, providing them with unlimited skiing, golfing, adventure and more. They even get a VIP card offering discounts that can be used at the resort immediately.

More than a million people leave Toronto on Fridays during the summer to travel to recreational properties in Muskoka, Niagara, etc. At less than an hour’s drive, Horseshoe is the closest four-season resort to the city, and it’s just 15 minutes to Barrie, which is essentially an extension of the GTA. No wonder Horseshoe Copeland House has been received so warmly.

In today’s hectic world, people understand the value in lifestyle, and recreational properties offer fantastic opportunities. Even immigrants are jumping at the chance to enjoy the cottage country living that Torontonians have for years. Whether it’s indulging in fudge at the local bakery, browsing through flea markets, or just spending time with family in natural surroundings, places like Horseshoe Resort beckon with the chance to live out family values in picture-perfect settings.

Mark Cohen is a founding partner of The Condo Store Marketing Systems, a firm specializing in the design, marketing and sales of condo and new home communities in and outside of the GTA