Toronto is famous for many things. Unfortunately, one of those things is the high cost of living, especially when it comes to real estate. While buying a home in the big city can be a daunting task, there are plenty of affordable homes to be found only a short distance away.
Just east of Toronto (and a little to the north), Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes are abundant with great homes, welcoming communities, incredible scenery, and more. If you’re searching for budget-friendly home-buying opportunities, these two areas should definitely be on your radar.
Want to know more about the perks of buying a home outside of the GTA? Click here.
Durham Region & the Kawartha Lakes at a Glance
Fairly broad in size, Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes are made up of a collection of different communities ranging from towns and villages to small hamlets and even cottage-style developments.
One of the things that makes these areas so special is that they truly offer something for everyone. Across the area, you’ll find arts and culture, amazing lakeside activities, charming communities and plenty of wide open space. In short, Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes are great places to live – whatever you’re looking for.
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(Some of) Our Top Communities
There are a lot of unique and welcoming communities within Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes, each with something special to offer. While we can’t cover them all in just one blog post, there are a few in particular that we’d like to shout out.
Port Perry
Just shy of 10,000 residents, Port Perry is one of the area’s larger communities. Nestled on the shores of Lake Scugog, the town’s waterfront charm is undeniable, making Port Perry a year-round paradise for fans of the great outdoors. Port Perry is also known for its vibrant (and quickly growing) art scene which has turned the community into an increasingly popular home-buying destination for artists.
Lindsay
Lindsay, Ontario is a scenic, close-knit community in the Kawartha Lakes. Nestled in between two lakes, Lindsay is perfect for buyers who appreciate life on the water. Whether you like boating, swimming, fishing, camping, hiking or simply relaxing on the dock, it’s hard to beat Lindsay’s unique geography. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of affordable homes here.
Other Ways to Maximize Your Budget
Stretching your home search beyond the Greater Toronto Area is a great way to get more from your budget. If you’d like to maximize your buying power even further, there are strategies for doing so.
Go the Fixer-Upper Route
If you’re looking for an extra degree of affordability, consider going the fixer-upper route – that is if it’s your thing. For some buyers, a fixer-upper home can be a great way to get into the market. That said, it’s not the ideal project for everyone.
Should you buy a home that needs some serious TLC just because you’re looking for a great deal, you could find yourself in over your head. On top of that, you might even end up spending more money in the long run than if you went with a life-ready home.
If you’re serious about buying a fixer-upper, talk to your real estate agent first. They can help you weigh the pros and cons to ensure you know what you’re getting into.
Need more advice to help you make the most of your home purchase? Read these blogs next!
- How to Purchase a Home With a Family Member
- Buying a Fixer-Upper: How Much Work is Too Much?
- How to Find a Reliable Real Estate Agent
Buying With Puckrin & Latreille
If you’re searching for an affordable home east of Toronto, Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes are great places to look. Not only will you find reasonably priced real estate out here, but the lifestyle is simply second to none.
Finding your future home starts by working with an experienced team of real estate professionals who know these markets like the back of their hands. That’s where we come in.
With more than 175 years of combined experience across our team, we’ve bought and sold homes in every kind of market condition you can imagine. Using this knowledge to your advantage, we’ll help you find a home that suits your needs and budget – wherever that may be.
Searching for the perfect place to call home? We can help. Call 905-985-7300 to reach our team or click here to send us an email.
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