From a Big House in Collingwood to a Bargain Resort in Algoma

Three years ago, Kate and Rob Harcourt found themselves rethinking their careers and browsing real estate listings, like so many of us at the height of the pandemic. When they stumbled on a cottage resort near Sault Ste. Marie for under $300,000, they jumped in the car the next day to have a look, put an offer in that morning, and raced home to sell their house in Collingwood. A month later, they were living in a tiny cottage and preparing for a mountain of renovations. How’s that going? Do they regret it? Listen to find out.Kate and Rob Harcourt are the Co-Owners of Staying by the Lakeside Cottages. Check out their Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram accounts for photos, guest stories, packages, and availability.Learn more about tourism investment opportunities in Northern Ontario at invest.destinationnorthernontario.ca. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.About the Destination: Northern Ontario podcastIf you came across a real estate listing for an affordable cottage resort deep in the boreal forest, would you be tempted to buy it?If the answer is yes, then the Destination: Northern Ontario podcast is for you. By the end of this five-part series, you’ll learn everything you should know before buying or starting a tourism business in the north, and hear stories from people who’ve walked the path before and would do it all over again.The podcast is hosted by Michelle Samson and produced for Destination Northern Ontario by Storied Places Media. Learn more about our podcast production services for economic development organizations at storiedplaces.ca.