2020 May Update – Muskoka Residential Real Estate Market

The Muskoka real estate market has certainly slowed down since March 17th, at least looking at the residential market, the waterfront market is a slightly different story. Here’s a link to the May update for the cottage market. As an essential service, there’s still activity and things are looking positive for 2020.

January and February 2020 were strong months in Muskoka real estate with increasing inventory, sales and average price. 2020 was shaping into a good market for buyer’s and seller’s.

April 2020 on the other hand, as expected, lagged behind April of 2019. The number of new listings were down 67.4% YOY and 21.3% YTD (Jan-May).

There has been an increase in the number of sales for May 2020 over April, but unit sales for May were still down 43.8% YOY and 26.6% YTD. The number of new listings were down 21.3% which is the big contributor to fewer unit sales.

In saying that, the ratio of new listings to units sold is almost the same YOY.

2019: 247 (sold) ÷ 376 (new listings) = 65%

2020: 195 (sold) ÷ 296 (new listings) = 66%

Percentages over 55% are considered a seller market.

If you would like more information, don’t hesitate to reach out anytime.

John Aben, Broker — john@abenteam.com or call 705-788-4770.
Mark Aben, Broker — mark@abenteam.com or call 705-788-4388.

Data based on the following: Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville (Excludes cottage, vacant land, condo and commercial properties)

Muskoka Residential Unit Sales by Month

2020 May Unit Sales Down 43.8% YOY

May 2019 – 80 sales
May 2020 – 45 sales

2020 January to May Down 26.6% YOY

Jan-May 2019 – 247 sales
Jan-May 2020 – 195 sales

Unit sales were trending up for 2020 with 14.5% more sales in Jan/Feb YOY.

May unit sales were down, 43.8% bringing the current YOY comparison down 26.6%. Keep in mind that the number of new listings for are down 21.3% YTD (Jan-May).

Muskoka Residential Average and Median Sale Price

2020 Average Sale Price – $422,519

2020 Median Sale Price – $405,000

2019 vs. 2020 Jan-May 
Percentage Increase in Average Sale Price
$399,792 to $422,519


Up 6.9%

Percentage Increase in Median Price
$379,900 to $405,000

Up 6.6%

Even with lower inventory and few sales the average sale price has increased 6.9% YTD ending May 31, 2020. The difference between April and May was an increase of 2.1% in just one month.

Muskoka Residential New Listings by Month

2020 May New Listings – Down 22.8% YOY
May 2019 – 127 sales
May 2020 – 98 sales

2020 Jan to May New Listings – Down 21.3% YOY

Jan-May 2019 – 376 sales
Jan-May 2020 – 296 sales

Unit sales for April were down 41.2%. Unit sales remaining fairly consistent with May seeing 43.8% fewer sales.

The number of new listings for May were down 22.8% and YTD down 21.3%.

The ratio of new listings to units sold is

almost the same YOY.

2019: 247 (sold) ÷ 376 (new listings) = 65%

2020: 195 (sold) ÷ 296 (new listings) = 66%

This indicates it’s still a sellers market.

Data Source: The Lakelands Association of Realtors