The title may be self explanatory, but It ALWAYS happens that I'm called by real estate buyers who are wondering why there are not many listings and 'inventory' in Muskoka in Dec-March. The answer is W-I-N-T-E-R. 
In early December 2024 there was a HUGE snowfall that hit Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes. Hwy 11 was closed for over 24hr, stranding vehicles overnight! Gravenhurst declared a state of emergency, with power outages in most Muskoka towns lasting many hours. One of my family members was out of power for 4 days! I took this picture while snow blowing in December.
Muskoka is a beautiful place in winter, but it is a tough time to buy or sell real estate. You can't make a good judgment call on the quality of waterfront, acreage, septic/wells with a blanket of snow/ice.
In-town residential sales can be done with little difference during winter, but MOVING is far more inconvenient during the winter months. Also, people don't like the drive from the GTA to Muskoka when the weather is poor. They will opt to drive when it's nicer out. Weather is an important factor in real estate sales, and there's hardly anywhere in the world with a bigger variety in weather than Muskoka.
Note that many cottage roads aren't accessible through the winter, or are really only suitable for 4x4 vehicles with snow tires. Early spring has back roads soft with the thawing of deep frost, making for messy, muddy cottage roads, and delays on construction until things dry up.
Spring real estate activity ramps up in late March/April when the thaw is in full swing. If we have a late thaw, waterfront listings won't be up until late April and May.
You can still make your plans, dream about Muskoka summer, but don't be surprised if you don't have many options to choose from as a buyer, or many showings as a seller during Muskoka winters!
