One of the biggest reasons people delay downsizing isn't because they can't sell their house—it's because they don't know where they're going to move. Many people think downsizing means moving into a Condo. The truth is, there are many different options avai;able, and each one has its own pros, cons, costs and lifestyle Today I'm going to walk you through five of the most common choices we see here in Barrie and the surrounding area so you can start thinking about which one might be the best fit for you.

The goal isn’t just to find a smaller place, it’s to find a home that fits the next chapter of your life.

Less home maintenance means more time to travel, visit family or simply enjoy retirement.

Most of these options are designed with accessibility in mind, such as elevators, fewer stairs, wider hallways or step-free entrances. 

You may also find that many of your neighbours are in a similar stage of life, which makes it easier to meet people and build new friendships. 

My fifth option surprises a lot of people because it's completely different from the others, and it might save you hundreds of thousands of dollars compared to buying another house in Barrie.

One thing to keep in mind about moving from a detached house to any sort of condominium, life lease or 55 plus community is that there are rules to follow. It is a lifestyle change from living in a detached house that you own. You can’t just build a deck, or have 6 cats or paint your front door lime green because you want to. Many things you have to get permission for either from the management company or the condo board or whoever is running the place. And that can be a hard thing for some people to accept. 

The housing options that are specifically for people over a certain age usually have an abundance of activities and social events for the residents. 

A few things most of these options have in common:

• Independent living

• Organized social activities

• Exterior maintenance handled

• Less storage than a regular house. You are downsizing though, right? 

   

1. Waterfront High-Rise Condominiums

There are a few of these in Barrie and they are quite popular. Most of the condo buildings higher than 15 floors or so are within walking distance to the waterfront. From The Bayclub on Dunlop St East which was built in the 1980’s to the recently completed one at 39 Mary St, most of these condos have the typical amenities you would expect in a high rise building.  Fitness center, a pool, underground parking. They offer true Lock it and Leave it lifestyle. 

These types of buildings are not necessarily all 55 plus residents. Young people, people who just don’t want the upkeep of a house, anyone can live in a condo. So it could not be as quiet as a true 55 plus community. 

The monthly condo fees in these types of buildings can be quite high. You have to know what is included in the fees and work that into your overall calculations. For instance I saw a 2 bedroom condo listed for under $400,000 in one of the older buildings on the lakeshore and I thought that seemed like a decent price but when I looked at the fees and what was included it didn’t seem that good anymore. The condo fees were over $1100 per month and the only utility they included was water. No electricity, no heat, no CATV. Lower list price, higher fees. You have to work your numbers.

The views of Kempenfelt Bay are hard to beat for many people, waking up to the water every morning is a big part of the appeal. 

If you enjoy walking, you can often leave your car parked for days at a time. Restaurants, the Farmer’s Market, trails, and downtown events are all close by.

Some buildings have active social committees with card games, fitness classes and other events, while others are much quieter. Every building has its own personality. 

When comparing condo fees, look at the reserve fund status as well. A healthy reserve fund can help reduce the chance of large special assessments in the future.

Some people may not like the thought of living 10 storeys in the air. Which leads me into my second option: 

2. Low-Rise Condominium Buildings

This type of condo is becoming increasingly more plentiful.  Many buyers seem to prefer these over towers because they feel more residential and less institutional. You may or may not get underground parking with these depending on the age of the building. Newer ones tend to have underground parking. Some of the older ones like Timberwalk and Edgehill Drive which were built in the 1990’s do not have elevators so that may eliminate them from your consideration but all of the newer ones built in the last 20 years or so have elevators. And there are lots of those to choose from. As the push for higher density housing grows, we are seeing more and more condos every year. These are built all over the city, so whatever area you want, you should be able to find some to your liking. Many of them are very close to grocery stores and shopping, some are even walking distance. These types of condos have really evolved over the years and have more of the stuff people want. Insuite laundry for example - so you do not have to go to the common laundry room and share a washer and dryer with your neighbour.  Overall the older ones have less amenities but they are also lower in price. If you want the nice stuff you gotta pay for it. 

Many of the newer buildings have party rooms, fitness rooms, rooftop terraces and outdoor barbecue areas, even if they don’t have a pool. 

Low rise buildings are often easier to navigate than a large high-rise, with shorter hallways and fewer residents. 

If being close to your doctor, pharmacy or grocery store is important, there are now condo developments in many different parts of Barrie that have that convenience.

Some buildings are pet friendly, while others have restrictions, so if you have a cat or dog that should be one of the first things you check. 

3. Life Lease Communities

Similar to living in a traditional Condominium, monthly fees on a life lease can vary widely. Most of them in Barrie include the bulk of utilities but verify that for each individual place when you are working your numbers.

Financing on a Life Lease unit can be difficult. Because you don’t actually own a piece of real estate with a deed, traditional banks usually won’t lend against them. Although most people who are moving into these types of places generally have the means to be able to pay cash. Usually from the proceeds of selling their bigger house.  

Because you don’t actually own a piece of real estate with a Life Lease, there are some very important differences that you need to be aware of. Not all Life leases operate the same so you need to be aware of the rules for each one. You cannot make changes to the interior of your unit without permission from the organization or non-profit that runs the Life Lease. 

There are 3 major Life Lease developments in Barrie. Victoria Village which is close to downtown Barrie. This is in the old Royal Victoria Hospital which moved to its new location in 1996. Terraces at Heritage Square is run by the IOOF Seniors Homes and are 2 buildings at 90 and 94 Dean Ave in the southeast area of Barrie. And then we have Tollendale Village on Hurst Drive. It is a series of 3 storey buildings and a few townhouses with attached garages. 

They are all very nice places to live but availability of units in each of these developments varies widely. Victoria Village and Heritage Square usually have places listed for sale on the Realtor MLS system but Tollendale Village units are not listed for sale. They have a substantial waiting list. There is no shortage of people wanting to get in there. Which also makes it easy when the time comes that you have to leave Tollendale for whatever reason. There is no waiting for your unit to sell. Because each Life Lease is structured differently, it is important to understand how you receive your money back when you move out or your estate sells the unit.  

One of the biggest reasons people choose a Life Lease is the sense of community. Many of the residents have lived there for years and really look out for each other.

Life Leases are generally designed for people who are still living independently, they are not assisted living or nursing care.

If you are considering a Life Lease, make sure you read the Occupancy Agreement carefully. It is different from buying a traditional condominium. 

4. One-Storey Condo Townhouses

Interestingly, as popular as these are, they are few and far between in Barrie. There are a couple of complexes on Little Avenue in the Allandale area of town that have some bungalows and that is it.  

There are lots of small condo townhouse complexes in Barrie but none of them are exclusively one storey. 

If you can get one, it has the benefits of almost living in a detached house. You get a garage, maybe a small private backyard with a patio, a basement for storing stuff (but again, you are supposed to be getting rid of stuff)  

For many people this is the closest thing to having a detached house without all of the outside maintenance.

Having your own front door, garage and patio can make the transition from a family home much easier.

Because there are so few of these in Barrie, they tend to sell quickly when they come on the market.

5. Sandy Cove Acres

Sandy Cove Acres is a Modular home park run by the company Parkbridge. It has been around for years and most people in the Barrie and Simcoe County area have heard about it and may know a little bit about it. It is run as a land lease development where you own the building you are living in but not the land. So you could pick up your house and move it if you wanted but that is not realistic. Nobody does that. 

Right now in 2026 you can get a decent house in Sandy Cove Acres in Innisfil for $350,000. Now you do have monthly land lease payments there but you have to work out the numbers as to whether it is worth it financially for you to move there. Your land lease fees are going to be around $1000 per month. If you have a paid for house worth $800,000 you could sell it and buy a place in SCA for $350,000 and after fees have around $400,000 in the bank. A lot of people cannot get their head around paying land lease fees every month and I get that. It’s a different concept from your traditional freehold house.

One of the biggest drawing points is that you still have a detached house and yard without paying the price of a detached house in Barrie. 

There is a very active social community with clubs, events and recreational activities that many residents really enjoy.

Because this is a Land Lease community, make sure you understand how the monthly fees work, what they cover and how they may change over time.

If your goal is to free up equity from your current home while still living in a detached house, this can be a very attractive option for some people. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there really is not a one size fits all solution when it comes to downsizing. What  is perfect for one person may be completely wrong for someone else. 

The good news is that Barrie and the surrounding area offer more choices than many people realize.

Before you decide to sell your home, it’s a good idea to look at all of your options, understand the true monthly costs, and think about the lifestyle you want five or ten years from now- not just today. 

If you would like to explore what is currently available in any of these types of properties, I would be happy to help you compare them so you can make an informed decision. 

After several months of uncertainty, the June housing statistics are beginning to paint a clearer picture of where our local real estate market is headed. Sales across Simcoe County increased compared to last year, inventory continues to be absorbed in many communities, and several local markets are moving closer to balanced conditions.

The graphics below compare June 2026 with June 2025 using data from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB). They provide a quick snapshot of home sales, average prices, new listings, days on market, and months of inventory for Barrie, Simcoe County, Innisfil, Oro-Medonte and Springwater. Scroll through the gallery, then continue reading for my analysis of what these numbers mean for buyers and sellers.

While average home prices remain below June 2025 levels, one encouraging trend is that prices have remained relatively consistent throughout the first half of 2026. Rather than continuing to decline month after month, many market segments appear to be stabilizing.

Below is a closer look at the June statistics for Simcoe County, Barrie, Innisfil, Oro-Medonte and Springwater using data from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB).

Simcoe County

One of the most encouraging statistics this month is the increase in sales. A total of 788 homes sold in June, an 8% increase compared to June 2025, showing that buyers are becoming more active.

Although the average sale price was approximately 7% lower than last year, it was higher than four of the previous five months in 2026. In May they bumped up to over $800,000 for some reason, but year to date in June, they were at their highest levels in 2026. And that is a trend I see across all segments of the market. 

Inventory is down a little compared to 2025, and that puts us under six months of inventory, which is generally considered a balanced market.

Barrie Detached Homes

Same as with Simcoe County, June’s average price for a detached house was higher than it was in four of the five previous months and it has been hovering around the $750,000 mark all year. 

Barrie's detached home market remained fairly steady in June. Sales were only down 3% compared to last year, despite average prices being 6% lower.

Homes are selling three days slower than last year but about two days faster than they were a month ago.

One statistic I always watch closely is months of inventory. It declined from 5.5 months last year to 5.1 months this June, suggesting the supply of available homes is gradually being absorbed. Well-priced detached homes continue to attract buyers and are generally selling within about a month.

Barrie Townhouses

Townhouses continue to be one of the stablest segments of our local market. Buyers are active, inventory remains reasonable, and prices have been fairly steady over the first half of the year. Although, unlike their detached cousins, Average price for a townhouse was at its lowest level so far this year. Coming in just under $580,000 while the previous 5 months have been over $580,000.

Townhouses had one of the stronger performances this month. Sales increased by 9% compared to last June, even though average prices were down 8%.

New listings also dropped by 15%, which means there was less competition for sellers than there was a year ago.

With inventory sitting at 4.5 months, this continues to be one of the healthiest segments of the Barrie market. Always has been. A good clean freehold townhouse is generally pretty easy to sell.

Barrie Condominiums

Condominiums remain the slowest-moving segment of the Barrie market. Sales and average prices were both down 10% compared to June 2025, and condos are taking longer to sell than other housing types.

Average prices have fluctuated between approximately $425,000 and $475,000 throughout the year. Sales volume has been consistently around 25 since the spring.

Although inventory has improved somewhat, the condo market still has more than seven months of inventory, giving buyers considerable choice and negotiating power.

Innisfil Detached Homes

Innisfil had a softer June than last year. Sales were down 6%, while average prices declined by 13%, making it one of the larger price adjustments in the area. Overall Innisfil has been hovering around the mid $800,000 mark for the bulk of the year.

At the same time, new listings increased by 4%, giving buyers even more options than they had a year ago.

Even with the additional inventory, homes actually sold about a week faster than they did last June, showing that buyers are still out there ready to snatch up well-priced properties.

Oro-Medonte

Oro-Medonte had one of the strongest reports this month. Sales jumped an impressive 35% compared to last June, while new listings were slightly higher.

Although average prices were down 8%, homes sold much more quickly than they did a year ago, averaging just 21 days on the market. Average price in Oro-Medonte usually hangs out over a million dollars.

Inventory also dropped slightly, and there were a lot more sales so that drove down the MOI.

Springwater

Springwater had a slower June compared to a year ago. Sales were down 15%, while the average sale price declined by 8%. New listings were also down 20%, so fewer buyers and fewer sellers were active in the market this year.

With 6.1 months of inventory, Springwater remains just outside of balanced market territory, and buyers continue to have plenty of choice and sellers need to be realistic with their pricing to attract serious interest.

Looking Beyond Average Prices

Average sale prices don't always tell the complete story. If more luxury homes sell during a particular month, the average price naturally rises. Conversely, if more entry-level homes sell, the average can decline even though overall market conditions haven't changed significantly.

That's why it's important to consider sales activity, inventory levels and days on market together. Looking at all of these indicators provides a much clearer understanding of where the market is heading than focusing on average price alone.

Final Thoughts

Overall, June presented a more encouraging picture of the local real estate market. Buyers are becoming more active, inventory has improved in many communities, and much of Simcoe County continues to move toward balanced market conditions.

Sellers still need to price their homes realistically, but well-presented and appropriately priced properties continue to attract strong interest.

If you're curious about what these statistics mean for your neighbourhood or would like to know the current value of your home, I'd be happy to help. Feel free to contact me anytime. You can also watch my full June 2026 Market Update video below for a more detailed breakdown of each community.

Most people moving to Barrie are focused on one thing—getting more house for their money. And that’s fair. But there are a few things about living here that don’t show up in the listings… and if you don’t know about them ahead of time, they can really catch you off guard. So in this post, I’m going to walk you through the five things you need to know before making the move to Barrie.

1. Winter is No Joke (Snow & Weather)

First up—winter. And I’m not talking about a little bit of snow here and there. Barrie gets hit with serious lake-effect snow coming off Georgian Bay, and it can pile up fast. If you’re coming from Toronto or the GTA, this is a different level. You’re going to be shoveling more, driving in snow more, and dealing with winter that tends to stick around longer than you might expect. It’s perfectly normal to still have snow on the ground in March… sometimes even into April. Now, if you like skiing or snowmobiling, this is a huge plus. But if you’re someone who dreads winter, this is something you really want to think about before making the move.

If you live in a house in Barrie (as opposed to a condominium) you will need a snow shovel at the very least. Better get two so you have a back up for when the first one breaks from over use. Depending on how big your driveway is and whether you have people in your house that are of shoveling age, you might consider getting a snowblower. 

The roads in Barrie are not always clear of snow. Subdivisions are plowed to a lower standard than the main arterial roads. The street you live on could have hard packed snow on it for weeks and months at a time. This was quite common in the winter that just passed. And there are overnight parking restrictions during the winter. So if you have a lot of cars in your household, don’t buy a house with a small driveway. 

“If you can’t handle winter… this might not be your place.”

2. You’ll Likely Need a Car

The second thing you need to know is—you’re going to need a car. Barrie does have public transit, and it’s run by Barrie Transit, but it’s not like living in a big city where you can rely on it for everything. Buses don’t come as frequently, routes are limited, and getting across the city or out of the city can take a long time. Most people here drive—it’s just part of daily life. So if you’re used to walking everywhere or hopping on a subway, that’s going to be a bit of an adjustment.

You may be able to get by with one car depending on your family dynamic. Does someone work from home? Can someone take transit or walk to their job? But if you have a family with 2 people heading out to work every day and kids in school that need to be picked up and delivered to various kid activities, you probably are going to need 2 cars. You can’t just say to your kids, Oh, just take the bus. It doesn’t work that way in Barrie.   

Although, this being said, if you use Uber a lot and are used to it, it is available here in Barrie.   

“Barrie is not Toronto—you can’t rely on transit.”

3. Commuting to the GTA (Highway 400 Reality)

Number three is commuting. Highway 400 is the black ribbon of asphalt that connects Barrie to Toronto. When the traffic is really light (very rarely these days) you can make it from Barrie to Toronto in about an hour. I don’t know when these mysterious light traffic times are. Maybe at 3:00 in the morning. But I haven’t seen 3:00 am in years. I have driven down there at various times of the day and it seems like it is always busy. Not bumper to bumper, not stop and go, but just cars everywhere. On weekday mornings headed southbound, it tends to bunch up approaching Highway 9 but since the 400 has been widened to 5 lanes with an HOV lane south of number 9, it picks up past there. And the opposite happens in the afternoon when people are coming home from work. Commuting times can vary widely from an hour to up to two hours depending on what time you are travelling and where you are going. Throw winter weather into the mix and the gameplan changes. 

We also get the weekend cottage traffic on Highway 400. Friday afternoon and Sunday night are the worst. All the cottagers are racing to get up north. And I get it, if I had a cottage I’d want to race up to it too. We here in Barrie have learned that there are certain times on the weekend you just don't go anywhere near the highway. 

Throw winter weather into the mix and everything changes. 

So if you’re planning to commute, just understand—it’s not always a smooth or predictable drive.

4. Housing Types & Affordability

Number four is housing. This is one of the big reasons people look at Barrie in the first place. You generally get more house for your money compared to the GTA. There’s a good mix of detached homes, townhomes, and newer subdivisions, especially in the south end.

Barrie is a city built on the detached house. The most common of these are the 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 storey detached models.  There are thousands of houses like this built in many different areas over the years. BUT: they are not cheap anymore. (is anywhere in Ontario cheap?)  Bottom line: you will get a bigger bang for your buck in Barrie, but it is not the bargain place it once was. An average 3 bedroom detached 2 story house is going to set you back around $700,000 and a 4 bedroom will be around $850,000. 

While prices have gone up quite a bit over the years, it’s still way more affordable than Toronto. Another thing to keep in mind is that condos are not as common here as they are in bigger cities, so your options might be a bit more limited if that’s what you’re looking for. As housing everywhere gets more expensive, Barrie is starting to build more condominiums. Overall, though, for many people, Barrie still offers good value—especially if space is important to you.

More house for your money… but not cheap anymore.

5. Lifestyle: Slower Pace with Nature Nearby

And number five is lifestyle—and this is where Barrie really shines. You’re right on Kempenfelt Bay. You’ve got easy access to beaches, trails, and boating, without having to plan your whole day around it.  On a nice evening, you can head down to the waterfront, go for a walk, grab an ice cream, and it actually feels relaxed. No matter where you live in Barrie, you are never more than 15 minutes away from the waterfront. And it’s not just summer. In the winter, you’re a short drive from skiing and snowboarding. You can buy a weeknight ski pass for Snow Valley and go hit the slopes for a couple of hours after work.

Even day-to-day, there’s more space, less noise, and a slower pace overall. You’re not constantly rushing or dealing with the same level of congestion and pressure that comes with living in the GTA.

But that comes with a bit of a trade-off. You’re not going to have the same level of convenience or variety that you’d get in a larger city. There are fewer restaurants, less nightlife, and not as many options when it comes to shopping or entertainment. If you’re used to having everything at your fingertips at all hours, that adjustment can take some time. A lot of people still find themselves heading down to the GTA for concerts, major events, or even just a wider selection of dining options.

So really, it comes down to what matters more to you. If you value space, nature, and a slower, more relaxed way of living, Barrie can be a fantastic fit. But if convenience, variety, and big-city energy are high on your list, that’s something you’ll want to think carefully about before making the move.

You’re trading convenience for lifestyle.

So if you’re considering a move and want to make the right decision, check out this video right here—it’ll help you decide if Barrie is the right fit. And if you’ve got questions about Barrie or the surrounding area, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help.

The latest real estate statistics suggest that the declining housing market we've experienced over the past few years may finally be stabilizing.

While average home prices in Barrie, Innisfil, and Simcoe County remain lower than they were a year ago, many areas are showing modest price increases compared to February, March, and April of this year. Sales activity is also improving, with more homes changing hands than last year while the number of new listings has decreased.

In this month's market update, I look at Barrie, Innisfil, Simcoe County, and two additional communities that are attracting a lot of attention: Springwater and Oro-Medonte. These desirable areas north of Barrie include sought-after neighbourhoods such as Midhurst, Snow Valley, Horseshoe Valley, and waterfront communities along Lake Simcoe. In some of these areas, average sale prices are actually higher than they were a year ago.

The market remains balanced overall, but conditions vary depending on location and property type. Detached homes and townhouses continue to perform well in many areas, while the condominium market remains more challenging.

The general trend I'm seeing is that prices are stabilizing, sales volume is increasing, and the number of homes available for sale is gradually declining. While every market segment behaves differently, the data suggests that confidence is returning and the market is finding its footing.

If you're considering buying or selling in Barrie, Innisfil, Springwater, Oro-Medonte, or anywhere in Simcoe County, I'd be happy to discuss what these trends mean for your specific situation.

April numbers are out, and the spring market is finally starting to wake up across the GTA and here in Simcoe County.

Sales were actually UP in April compared to last year, while the number of new listings coming onto the market dropped. And that’s important because it tells us the market may slowly be tightening.

Now here’s the interesting part…

Even though more buyers are entering the market, prices are still lower than they were a year ago. In Simcoe County overall, the average price is down around 6% year over year. Buyers still have negotiating power. They still have choices and conditions within offers are the norm again. They can be more selective. Buyers, you have the time when searching for a house. Use it. 

But, that being said, if you have been looking for a house and haven’t seen anything that checks all your boxes then all of a sudden something comes along that makes your heart skip a beat, be ready to strike. Because if you love a house, there is a good chance that the next buyer through may love it too. 

But sellers with properly priced homes are absolutely still selling. The unrealistically priced listings are sitting. The good listings are moving.

Buyers still have leverage… But that could change in a heartbeat and the shoe would be on the other foot again.  We saw that in 2020-2021 when prices took off overnight. Things could be different six months from now.”

That combination doesn’t usually last forever.

In this video I break down what happened in the local housing market during February, including Barrie, Innisfil and other parts of Simcoe County.

Overall, home prices were down in most areas compared to February of last year, with many markets seeing declines in the 8–13% range. Sales activity was also lower in many areas.

One interesting exception was Innisfil, where prices were actually up about 1% year over year and the number of sales remained steady.

If you are a homeowner wondering what these changes might mean for the value of your home, I’d be happy to help.

With over 25 years of experience selling homes in Barrie and the surrounding communities, I work with homeowners throughout Barrie, Innisfil, Essa, Oro-Medonte and Springwater.

If you are thinking about selling and would like to know what your home might be worth in today’s market, feel free to reach out anytime.

In this video, I break down the 2025 year-end real estate statistics for Barrie, Innisfil, and surrounding areas, and more importantly, explain what the numbers actually mean.

Real estate statistics aren’t perfect.
Every home is different.
Every buyer and seller is different.

That’s why averages don’t always tell the full story.

In this video, I explain:
• Why some statistics can look unusually high or low
• How unique communities like Sandy Cove Acres in Innisfil can impact average prices
• Why today’s Days on Market numbers are not historically unusual
• How to interpret year-end stats if you’re thinking about selling or downsizing

If you’re a homeowner trying to make sense of the headlines, this video will give you the context most statistics don’t.

If you’re considering selling, downsizing, or just want to know how these numbers apply to your specific home, feel free to reach out.

📍 Serving Barrie, Innisfil, Oro-Medonte, Essa, and Springwater

Are you looking for a great place to live?

Are you looking for a great place to raise a family?

Are you looking to get out of the overcrowded big city? 

Then Innisfil may be the place for you…Keep reading to find out some of the Pros and Cons of living in Innisfil, Ontario. The good and the bad. 

Innisfil is what you might call a small town. It is located about an hour north of Toronto. It borders Hwy 27 on the west and Lake Simcoe on the east and the population is about 44,000 people.  Highway 400 runs right through Innisfil and there are two exits. One is at Highway 89, referred to as Cookstown and then Innisfil Beach Road which leads to Alcona. Now Innisfil is a big town geographically. Diagonally across it would probably take you a half an hour to get from one corner to the opposite corner.  The largest settlement area of Innisfil is Alcona, so much of what I talk about refers to Alcona. 

This area is very popular with people from south of here. Toronto, York region, Brampton, Mississauga, The GTA, The Greater Toronto Area.  We get a ton of people moving from there to Innisfil, but I don’t hear of many people who want to move from Innisfil to the GTA. I’m sure there are some people who get up here and decide it’s not for them and then move back but for the most part people are moving north and they are buying in Innisfil for any number of reasons.  Lifestyle, cheaper housing, less crowded.

I’m going to list the Pros and Cons of living in Innisfil. I’ll start with the pros.

1. Lake Simcoe.  One of the biggest draws to Innisfil is Lake Simcoe, which is the body of water that the town is alongside of. Lake Simcoe is part of the Trent Severn Waterway so there is a wide range of boating options you can get to from Innisfil.   With living close to the lake there comes the benefits of swimming, boating and fishing and just hanging out at the water on a hot July day. Innisfil Beach Park is the main beach in Innisfil and it can get very busy on the weekends in the summer. The funny thing is, much of the beach traffic on the weekends are visitors from Toronto. Much to the dismay of the longtime residents.

In the winter the lake freezes and you can venture out on the ice. People ice fish out there, ride snowmobiles and ATVs, go skating or you can just go for a walk on the ice. Some people drive their cars and trucks out there. I’m not recommending it, you do it at your own risk. It’s not unusual to see a couple hundred people out there on a cold Saturday afternoon in February. 

2. Another pro of living in Innisfil is reasonably priced housing. Now when I say reasonable,  I am comparing Innisfil to areas south of here in the GTA like Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, and York Region. The average price for a detached home in Innisfil was $931,000 in August 2025, Compare that to Toronto where a typical detached home will set you back over $1,524,000  And in York Region it is $1,475,000 and Mississauga you are looking at $1,363,000  So yes, compared to those areas Innisfil is very reasonable. You can get a detached house here for half a million dollars less than it would cost you down there. 

3.Traffic: If you currently live south of Innisfil, like in Toronto and the GTA, you will notice the traffic is significantly lighter in Innisfil. If you listen to old timers around Innisfil you will hear complaining about how much worse the traffic has gotten, I notice it too. That just comes with the amount of growth, but compared to anywhere south of here it’s a cakewalk. The main road between Alcona and Hwy 400, Innisfil Beach Road, can get quite busy and there are a few congestion points.  But it generally moves along pretty quickly. You won’t get the situation here where you are waiting for 2 cycles of traffic lights just to get through an intersection. 

4. Close to Toronto.  If you commute everyday to your job or have family that still lives in Toronto, it is only an hour away. I wouldn’t want to live there but it is a nice place to visit for short periods of time. They have got a lot of good stuff down there. You got your sports teams, Maple Leafs if you can afford the tickets. And then there are the tourist attractions, All the stuff you already know about if you live in Toronto. One thing that they have down there that we don’t have up here, I personally don’t really care about this, but they have IKEA. People love IKEA,  so if you want IKEA, you have to head south. There is Go train service from Barrie that is very popular with commuters but there are currently no stations in Innisfil. You would either have to head north into Barrie and get on at the Barrie south Go Station. (but then that adds 15 minutes to your commute) or you could head south to Bradford Go station. If you can work your schedule around the Go trains, it is an excellent way to commute. There is a plan for a GO Train station at the sixth line in Innisfil but you know how the government works so it could be years before we see that happen. 

Or you can drive up and down Highway 400 which is what the majority of people do.  

I’ll move on to the cons now. Everywhere you live there will be things you don’t like. 

1. Snow.    Probably the biggest con you will experience when you live in Innisfil is the snow.  If you are moving up from south of here you are going to notice a big difference in wintertime.  And depending on how much you like your outdoor exercise, you may want to invest in a snowblower. We can have a good year for snow or we can have a bad year. Some years it can feel like you are out there every day shoveling snow. You are probably going to need snow tires. Depending on how much you drive, snow tires are recommended. I mean, you can get by without them, I did for years. But about 10 years ago I bought myself a set of snow tires and they made a huge difference in the winter. One negative about snow tires is that you have an extra set of tires taking up space in your garage, Either you have summer tires in there in the winter or winter tires in there in the summer. 

With all this snow the school buses sometimes get cancelled and then the kids get a free day. 

2. Innisfil is lacking for Health care services. There are a few dentists and chiropractor/physiotherapist clinics and not many doctor offices. That being said, there is the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre which is a large complex at the corner of Innisfil Beach Road and Yonge St. It’s a pretty good place, I have been there for aches and pains myself but there is a need for more. And that is coming in the future! Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, or Royal Victoria Hospital for us old people, is proposing a new campus at the corner of Innisfil Beach Road and Yonge St. Right across the road from the Rizzardo building. The plan is for 5-8 years out so we’ll wait and see how that progresses.  

3. Shopping: There are limited shopping locations in Innisfil. The Tangers Outlet Mall is located at Hwy 89 and 400. It is a big indoor mall typical of suburbia but it has no grocery stores. It is a car centered mall. Nobody is walking to the outlet mall. In Alcona, which is the biggest population center in Innisfil,  there is shopping along the main strip. A couple of grocery stores, a Canadian Tire store, a Home Hardware, numerous plazas with different types of smaller stores in them. Smaller restaurants, there are no big chain sit down restaurants like Kelsey's or Boston Pizza. If you are shopping for clothes or household stuff like say.. Furniture and housewares, you will be driving into Barrie for stuff like that. Or to the Outlet mall. 

4. You will need a car.  Public transit in Innisfil is almost non-existent. If you are thinking you are going to move up here and get by without a car, then Innisfil is not for you. In bigger cities people can rely on public transit to get around but not so much in Innisfil. It is a car centered town. They partnered with Uber a few years ago to develop a public transit program where users can get rideshares at reduced rates and the remainder is covered by the town. I have never used Uber and I’m not a public transit rider so I can’t comment on how effective the program is. I see good and bad comments online about riders' experiences with it. 

 Innisfil is a low density town, spread out and built on urban sprawl.  You pretty well have to drive everywhere. If you are used to a transit type lifestyle, you will have to make some adjustments if you move to Innisfil. 

So there you have it—some of the pros and cons of living in Innisfil. Like anywhere, it comes down to lifestyle and what’s most important to you, but for many people, Innisfil strikes the right balance between small-town living and easy access to the city.

If you’re thinking about making the move and want to buy a home in Innisfil, reach out. —I’d be happy to help you find the right place. 

Are we about to see faster, more affordable homebuilding across Canada?

Well, the federal government seems to think so—and they’re backing it up with a bold new plan: a national Housing Design Catalogue.

It’s like flipping through a ready-to-build blueprint book for homes across the country. And if it works as intended, it could seriously streamline how we get homes approved and built.

I’m James Myers, a realtor based in Barrie and Simcoe County. In this post, I’m going to break down what this catalogue is, how it works, and why it matters—whether you're a builder, a homeowner, or just someone trying to understand how we can fix Canada’s housing crunch.

🧱 WHAT IS THE HOUSING DESIGN CATALOGUE?

Back in the post-WWII era, Canada used something similar—standard home designs that helped get houses built fast for returning veterans and growing families. Now in 2025, the federal government is bringing that concept back—with a modern twist.

The Housing Design Catalogue is a collection of pre-approved, high-quality home designs. Builders, developers, and municipalities will be able to use these plans to fast-track approvals and construction. Think of it as a ready-made toolbox for housing.

The catalogue will include:

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  

• Fourplexes
  

• Six-plexes
  

• Row housing

Mid-rise buildings might come later, but for now, they’re focusing on “missing middle” housing—that sweet spot between single-family homes and condos.

So what exactly is in this Catalogue, and how real are these designs?

It’s not just conceptual – the Catalogue offers 50 fully-realized, low-rise housing models, developed by regional architecture and engineering teams. They’re organized into seven regional chapters—Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies, British Columbia, Alberta, and the Territories—so each design matches local building codes, climate zones, and construction methods 

In Ontario there will be two Accessory Dwelling Units designs. A one bedroom model and a three bedroom model. 

Two styles of fourplexs, two styles of stacked townhouses and one design for a sixplex.

🔧 How flexible are these designs?

Each model is fully adaptable. Builders can adjust elements like cladding, roofing, and finishes. The renderings are illustrative—they’re customizable to local tastes, materials, and construction styles  

Plus, there's a strong emphasis on accessibility and energy efficiency. Many designs include accessible-ready units and meet or exceed building code requirements 

🏗️ WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW?

Let’s be real. Canada’s in a housing crunch. We need to build millions of new homes—and we need to build them faster, cheaper, and smarter. But right now, developers face delays from zoning issues, permit red tape, and design review processes that slow everything down.

This catalogue aims to solve some of that.

By using standardized designs that are already reviewed and optimized, builders can:

• Save time on approvals
  

• Cut down design costs
  

• And potentially even speed up construction through prefabrication
  

That means more homes, built faster, with fewer roadblocks.

🧩 FLEXIBILITY & INNOVATION

One of the most exciting parts? These aren’t cookie-cutter homes. The catalogue is designed to offer flexibility—so builders can tweak finishes, adapt to local materials, and even use modular or prefabricated techniques.

The government also wants these designs to go beyond minimum building codes—aiming for:

• Better energy efficiency
  

• Accessibility-friendly layouts
  

• Designs that support aging in place or hybrid work

It’s like they’re future-proofing homes before the first shovel even hits the ground.

• ✔️ Universal design
  

• ✔️ Energy-efficient
  

• ✔️ Prefab ready
  

• ✔️ Digital format
  

📅 WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING?

So, what’s the timeline?

📌 Summer 2024 – The government put out a call for design proposals. Architects and builders submitted plans for inclusion in the catalogue.

📌 In Spring 2025 the first version of the catologue was launched. .

After that, the plan is to keep it evolving—with new designs, competitions, and private-sector contributions. It’s not just a one-time PDF download—it’s meant to grow alongside Canada’s housing needs.

As of July 2025, I couldn’t find any date on the CMHC website of when the final designs are going to be released, but there is a form to fill out on the website to be notified when final architectural design packages are available. I filled out the form and signed up and I recommend you go there and fill out the form if you are interested yourself.  

🏛️ WHAT ABOUT LOCAL ZONING & PERMITS?

Here’s where it gets a bit tricky—and where collaboration really matters.

The catalogue won’t magically override local zoning or building rules. There are still rules you have to follow. 

Now, just because the federal government is rolling out this Catalogue doesn’t mean it overrides local rules. Every city, town, and province still controls its own zoning, permitting, and building codes. For instance in Barrie, there has to be sufficient parking and there are lot setback regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units. Same kind of things I’m sure there are in most municipalities.  

But here’s the good news—the government knows that, and they’re working closely with provinces and municipalities to make these designs easier to use.

They’re developing tools to help fast-track approvals, including:

• Sample bylaws cities can adopt to allow things like ADUs and fourplexes in more neighbourhoods.
  

• Templates for fast-track approvals, where catalogue designs could be pre-reviewed by building departments.
  

• And digital permitting systems to help planning offices move things along more quickly and consistently.

So the goal here is a smoother, faster process—from design selection to shovels in the ground. But ultimately, it’ll still come down to local governments choosing to adopt these tools and streamline their own approval processes.

🏘️ WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS?

Whether you’re in a major city or a rural town, the catalogue could have a major impact:

• Builders get pre-approved designs, lowering costs and risk.
  

• Municipalities get housing faster without sacrificing review quality.
  

• Buyers and renters get more homes on the market—which should help affordability.

And rural and northern communities may benefit from the single-family and prefab designs that make building in remote areas more feasible.

Canada needs more homes—and fast. The Housing Design Catalogue is a fresh, forward-thinking approach that could make a real difference. By cutting through some of the usual red tape and offering ready-to-go designs, this initiative has the potential to unlock a lot of new housing, in all the right places.

It's a promising step, and honestly, it's exciting to see solutions like this taking shape.

If you’re thinking of building, investing, or just want to stay informed about changes in the housing market,  or if you have any questions about how this might affect you or your community—reach out. I’m always happy to help.