The Real Estate industry these days is a complex one, so choosing your Real Estate brokerage and Realtor® to represent you is a very important decision. We have been helping you with Real Estate for the past 30 years. We made the decision to join the RE/MAX Professionals North Brokerage 3 years ago and we couldn't be happier because we feel so confident in our RE/MAX team. It is very important for us to have a solid foundation and to be a part of a team that shares our core values which allows us to provide the highest quality service to our clients. The RE/MAX name holds a lot of weight, it comes with a long-standing reputation of professionalism, expertise, and kindness. It's no wonder why RE/MAX Professionals North Brokerage has been leading the industry for the first half of 2023.

One of the biggest questions to ask yourself before you even begin the real estate process is; 'How do I know I am working with the right Realtor?' Press play above and find out how you can evaluate your Realtor and make sure they are a right fit for your needs. Dolf and Anzie Witlox Dolf - 705.787.6196 Anzie - 705.571.0587 info@dolfandanzie.com

We want to take this opportunity to send our warmest wishes to you and your family this holiday season. May your homes be filled with laughter and your hearts full of love. Dolf and Anzie Witlox Dolf - 705.787.6196 Anzie - 705.571.0587 info@dolfandanzie.com

We are pretty sure that when we say ‘we are excited for summer’, that we aren’t alone in that sentiment. It’s been a long chilly winter here in Muskoka, and now that the warmer temperatures are here we are all looking into the next few months with anticipation, planning our summer days to make the best of the season. Loving Life in Muskoka for more than 35 years, we have experienced many amazing times, so we thought we would share some favourites with you to help plan your upcoming Muskoka adventures and make this your best summer ever! The beauty about Muskoka is that there is literally something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a relaxing night out to enjoy the flavours of local cuisine, or you are yearning for something a bit more adventurous, you’ll find it here in Muskoka. For the Adventure Seekers Nature, wilderness and the great outdoors is what Muskoka is all about! So for an epic family adventure that everyone will remember check these out: Cruise Lake Muskoka on the famous steamships RMS Segwun and Wenonah II departing from the Wharf in Gravenhurst. Take a self-guided canoe trip through a curvy river or paddle to a scenic waterfall for a picnic. I mean.. who doesn’t love a picnic? Walk amongst the trees for an epic tree top trek or zip-liningexperience at aerial parks in Bracebridge or Huntsville. For the Foodie Muskoka is known for its food and drink offerings from craft beer to mouth-watering local cuisine, there is so much to choose from. While you are here in Muskoka this summer experience: Local Farmer’s Markets offer your favourite oh so tasty in-season fruits and vegetables, plus you will surely find unique souvenirs, works of art & hidden gems to take home with you. Tours of all sorts including brewery, coffee roastery or winery experiencing a flavourful and educational experience. Enjoy the incredible tastes of Muskoka’s culinary scene with a compilation of must-try restaurants, cafes and eateries. For the Creative Minds Muskoka area has a rich arts and cultural scene with many entertaining ways to get up close and personal with the creative side of the area: Jump on self-guided gallery tours - where you can meet local artists, even find that perfect treasure, gift or masterpiece The summer lineup of concerts and theatre performances at Muskoka venues is top notch, truly something for everyone. We hope you make the most of every summer moment. Local or visiting in Muskoka, there is always something awesome to do!

Similar to a good spring cleaning in your home, you can take the same approach to your gardens to get them back in shape after a long winter. If you are like us, you are excited because the snow has fully melted, the days are getting warmer, but now… where to begin? It can be a little overwhelming to tackle all the work that needs to be done in order to achieve that picture-perfect landscape that you have been dreaming about all winter. Feel free to use this gardening guide to help pace yourself through the stages of early, mid-, and late spring so you can get everything done before the summer season arrives. Early-Mid Spring Clean up your flower beds Divide perennials Add fresh mulch around your perennials Prune trees and shrubs Assess and basic maintenance of hardscaping Clean bird feeders Plant new perennials or hardy annuals Add new trees and shrubs Late Spring Deadhead bulbs (trim spent flowers) Shop for summer annuals Plant summer-blooming bulbs 

After a long and cold winter, spring is right around the corner! Spring is a time for new beginnings and a refreshed outlook on the months ahead. You may have a few spring home renovation projects in mind that you have been dreaming up over the winter months, and now you are just waiting for the snow to melt. The recent RE/MAX Canada Renovation Investment Report found more than 50% of Canadian homeowners renovated their home in 2021. The renovation ‘craze’ is definitely not over and is being driven primarily by challenging low-supply market conditions. So with green grass and warm temperatures within our grasp, it’s time to start thinking about your home project list… new landscaping for your outdoor spaces, interior remodelling, finishing the basement, building that shed you’ve always wanted.. the list goes on and on. Whatever your dream home renovation project is, let’s get started! Advance Planning The more you can plan in advance (like right now), the smoother your home renovation projects will go when the time comes to actually get the tools out. One very important thing is to get your contractor and materials booked well in advance. Contractors, builders, landscapers, and trades are all very busy here in Muskoka (especially once spring arrives), so get yourself booked in with them if you decide to hire for your project. If you are doing the work yourself, awesome, make sure you block off some time in your busy work/life schedule to start and complete your project - there’s nothing worse then a half finished home reno. A Little Goes A Long Way Home renovation projects don’t have to be huge, sometimes the small things can make a big difference. Consider tasks like applying a fresh coat of paint inside or outside of your home, resurfacing/staining the deck, adding a new garden, or upgrading knobs and hardware. Limited budgets don’t always mean small-scale renovation projects. There are plenty of projects you can accomplish even if you’re working with a smaller budget. Adding Value In addition to being able to enjoy your new space once your project is complete, home renovations are always great for adding to the resale value of your home. Even if you are not looking to sell anytime soon, consider your project’s Return on Investment (ROI) both in monetary return and in enjoyment. Dolf and I just completed a few of our own interior home renovation projects over the winter. Check out Dolf hard at work on our bathroom re-model...

I think we can all agree that it’s been a challenging few years, especially for those who have been separated from family and friends and are only now being able to reun ite after months or years of being apart. Our hearts fill up every time we hear a story from our clients, our friends and the people around us about their family members being able to finally reunite. Dolf and I not only understand the value that family brings to life, we treasure it everyday.

A NEW YEAR is upon us, and confidence continues in the Canadian Real Estate Market, as growth is expected to remain strong in 2022. National Trends Even after experiencing record setting Real Estate numbers in 2021, it is projected that Sales will continue to rise in 2022, and the average Residential Sale Price will increase by 9.2%. Despite the Global Pandemic, many Canadians feel confident in the Real Estate Market. According to a survey conducted on behalf of RE/MAX Canada, 49% of respondents believe Canadian Real Estate will remain one of their best investment options in 2022. “Canadians recognize the value and investment potential in their homes.” says Elton Ash, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Canada. Ontario Trends Market activity across the province is anticipated to remain steady in 2022, with continued average price growth, anticipated average sale price increases and prolonged supply shortages. Inter-provincial migration continues to be a key driver of housing activity in many regions in Ontario. The ‘relocation trend’ that began in the Summer of 2020 as the Pandemic set in, prompted Buyers to start looking for less-dense rural areas, greater affordability outside of big cities, and more overall space. This trend is likely to continue as many Businesses and Organizations have adapted to a work-from-home system for it’s workforce that is expected to remain in place into the coming year. Muskoka Trends The Number of Sales are expected to rise by 10% in 2022 and the Average Price is expected to increase 20% for the Muskoka region. This means that the Average Sale Price will increase to $749,357 in the coming year, compared to $624,464 in 2021. Despite the growing value of homes in the Muskoka area some home owners might be hesitant to sell, choosing to take a "wait and see" approach during 2022. We understand that there are many things to consider when Buying or Selling, especially in unprecedented times like these. Let us help you! We will work with you to strategize your next move and show you how you can capitalize on the current high-demand Real Estate Market, especially in beautiful Muskoka. We look forward to hearing from you. Dolf and Anzie Witlox Dolf - 705.787.6196 Anzie - 705.571.0587 info@dolfandanzie.com Statistics from: RE/MAX 2022 Canadian Housing Market Outlook Report

As we inch closer and closer to the end of the year we are reminded of the year past, the good and the bad, and we reflect on ourselves, our own community and the world at large. The thing we’ve been hearing a lot from people around us l ately is “This year just flew by, I can’t believe it’s already December!” And we can definitely relate to this on some level. Most of us know the feeling well... as we fill our days with more and more busyness, time seems to fly by faster and faster. It’s no surprise really, given how fast our device-focused, multi-tasking lives can be on a day to day basis. However, living through the pandemic this past year has taught us the need to slow down a little, because in some ways it forced us to. By slowing down, and creating a calmness in our lives it opens up the time and space to allow gratitude and joy to enter. Once we strip away the noise of everyday life, our perspective shifts and allows us to experience life in a whole new way. It allows us to better appreciate the events and people around us, rather than feeling like we're living our days in a blur. And it doesn't require a change of life, but rather a change of mind. Dolf and I have been very mindful of this through the past year and have found ways to allow calmness to seep into our busy lives of work, family and personally. As we head into the holiday season, it’s the perfect opportunity to slow down, relax and simply enjoy the moment. Make the time to be present with loved ones, show gratitude, share love and give support to others, and in return you will feel a different kind of satisfaction than what a busy work day can bring. As we slowly work our way back towards a whole new normal heading into 2022 and the light at the end of the tunnel shines a bit brighter everyday, we hope that the calmness and gratitude that we have reignited stands strong long into the future. We would like to take this opportunity to show our gratitude and give thanks to you for being a part of our lives. Dolf and I truly cherish the relationships that we have created over the years and we appreciate each and every one of you. As we near the Christmas season we would like to pass our thoughts and good wishes on to you and your families. Wishing you joy and happiness this holiday season. - Dolf and Anzie Witlox - Dolf - 705.787.6196 Anzie - 705.571.0587 info@dolfandanzie.com LovingLifeInMuskoka.com #lovinglifeinmuskoka