When you want more than just a view
By definition, a cottage is a small, simple house, typically near a lake or beach. To me, a cottage is so much more than just that.
A cottage is where fond memories are made. Where freedom is found. Where the sunsets are seen and savoured. Where you go to unwind. And my kind of ‘simple’ is not defined by size. Rather, the world ‘simple’ is the refined, thoughtful, and tailored understanding of each individuals’ definition of luxury.
Whether you value slow moments of time, or the thrill of speeding around the lake by boat, or the peaceful sound of a crackling fire — luxury means so many different things to all of us. Cottage-living is an amazing way of life, and my job is to define what it is for you and curate every detail into an exceptional strategy, to help you achieve the life you’ve always dreamed about.
VISION & LIFESTYLE
Your Gateway to Canadian Cottage Country
Shawn Woof
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT - SALES, SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Shawn Woof is known for representing both buyers and sellers in Cottage Country. His experience has resulted in a reputation for excellence and efficiency, with over 20 years of knowledge in waterfront, rural residential properties, and land development. An expert negotiator with a modern yet timeless aesthetic, Shawn is understated, competitive and savvy; he stands out in every realm.
Shawn’s love of the lakes came from his time spent growing up every summer in Ontario’s Muskoka region. The nostalgia and history of Muskoka brought him to live and work here, and knowing firsthand the multi-faceted lifestyles that clients look for, Shawn is able to help match a property to his clients’ desires.
Shawn has covered every aspect of the real estate business from start to finish. Understanding zoning, planning, and building, he will be able to provide an invaluable service during the due diligence process. In Shawn, you have found a trusted property advisor that has your needs and goals as his top priority. Through patience, honesty and his deep understanding of current market conditions, Shawn forms lasting relationships with his clients. His reputation is that he helps his clients achieve the vision and lifestyle of their dreams.
With 20+ years of experience in recreational and residential real estate, as well as commercial development, Shawn is an expert negotiator with a modern yet timeless aesthetic. He is understated, competitive, savvy and stands out in every realm.
A Legacy of Brand Excellence
At Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, doing more is our distinction.
Since 1744, Sotheby’s has defined the art of marketing the world’s most cherished valuables. Built on this foundation of excellence and the centuries-long prestige of the world’s preeminent auction house, it is this legacy that is our clients’ unique advantage. Every client and home we represent is elevated by leveraging our brand’s heritage, sterling reputation, and access to exclusive marketing opportunities that not only reach down the street, but around the world.
Combining this distinctive and internationally recognized real estate brand with local market knowledge and specialized expertise, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is the leading real estate sales and marketing company for the country’s most exceptional properties, and proudly delivers top-tier service and world-class marketing that lifts the visibility of our clients’ homes across every price range. Luxury is defined by a level of service, not price point – and it is this belief that is woven into the integrity of who we are and what we do each and every day.
Through our brand’s vast global footprint of more than 1,110+ offices across 83+ countries and territories worldwide, we are innovating the luxury real estate industry with an unparalleled network of exceptional agents. With offices in over 30 residential and resort markets here in Canada, our experienced real estate professionals provide the highest calibre of service, and curate unrivalled local and international marketing solutions with incomparable attention to style and detail.
Simply put – we’re here to help represent you at a scale you just don’t find anywhere else.
The Shawn Woof Strategic Advantage
Investing in or selling your cottage is an emotional and important moment. No matter what your budget or background, Shawn’s aim is to guide you through uncharted territory to ensure your experience is as smooth, easy and informed as possible. Shawn prides himself in exceptional client service, defined by a clear and consistent collaboration process with his clients and other agents. His turnkey process focusing on tailored attention is geared to meet all your needs and exceed your expectations.
With Shawn Woof & Associates, our strategic approach is designed to provide unparalleled service to both buyers and sellers. For buyers, we offer a tailored experience that aligns with your unique preferences and needs, guiding you through the luxury real estate market with expertise and care. Sellers can trust in our comprehensive marketing strategies and global network to showcase their properties to the right audience, ensuring a seamless and successful transaction. Our commitment is to deliver excellence at every step of your real estate journey.
A local resident that grew up in Cottage Country, Shawn knows firsthand the multi-faceted lifestyles that clients look for in cottage living. Simply put — he is the ultimate Muskoka real estate expert.
The Team
Shawn Woof
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SALES FOUNDER, SHAWN WOOF & ASSOCIATES
Our lifestyle goals are enhanced and guided by the spaces we live in. Shawn Woof understands that connection thanks to his 20-plus yearsof experience in recreational property, residential and commercial development. Living and working in Cottage Country means that Shawn’s specialty is waterfront and island property along with all aspects of the cottage landscape and lifestyle. Additionally, Shawn is a highly qualified recreational property investment consultant.
Christine Archer
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, SHAWN WOOF & ASSOCIATES
Christine Archer brings over two decades of experience in coordination and administrative work to Shawn Woof & Associates. She loves creating superior client experiences that are personalized and truly special. No matter what, Christine values the importance of strong relationships with her team and customers. For each and every interaction, she is dedicated to making the experience of buying or selling as memorable as possible. She makes sure the quality and success are always of the highest degree.
Bob Woof
CHIEF HAPPINESS OFFICER, SHAWN WOOF & ASSOCIATES
As “Chief Happiness Officer”, Bob brings an enthusiasm to the team that is truly infectious! He is here to lend a helping paw in our mission to make real estate dreams come true. In honour of the countless tails that have wagged their way into our hearts, Bob Woof reminds us to embrace the spirit of curiosity, playfulness, and loyalty that our furry friends embody. He’s always ready to fetch success for clients of Shawn Woof & Associates.
Significant Sales
Shawn’s proven success shows not just in the quantity of sales or the quality of properties he represents, but most of all in the final numbers. Shawn believes that best outcome is the only option there is — and with carefully curated strategy, vast networking, an exceptional marketing platform, and expert insight into the Canadian real estate market, a Cottage Country sale is safe in Shawn’s capable hands.
Lash Point, Rosseau
LAKE ROSSEAU
380 Macey Bay Road, Port Severn
GEORGIAN BAY
1023 Heather Lodge Road, Port Carling
LAKE MUSKOKA
177 Jean Marie Road, Seguin
LAKE JOSEPH
20 Baxter Island, Bracebridge
LAKE MUSKOKA
1084 Ten Mile Bay, Dwight LAKE OF BAYS
Newsworthy
Shawn is a trusted, go-to source for media in the Canadian real estate landscape. His storytelling and wealth of knowledge has cultivated meaningful relationships with top-tier real estate and lifestyle journalists and publications.
FEATURED
IN
REALTOR Partnerships & Portfolio Advisor
Shawn has unparalleled relationships with real estate professionals throughout the Sotheby’s International Realty network. As a result, he is connected to qualified prospects across Greater Toronto Area, North America and on a global scale. Working with Shawn provides access to one of Sotheby’s International Realty’s top real estate portfolio advisors, as well as to a powerhouse family of industry experts across the continent.
TORONTO OAKVILLE THE KINGSWAY
GREATER TORONTO AREA MISSISSAUGA
BURLINGTON NIAGARA
Client Testimonials Proven Results
My wife and I have 35 years of cottaging experience, so we assumed we knew how to buy one, but we soon found ourselves overwhelmed by the number of variables to consider. A dear friend referred us to Shawn, which established a lot of trust right from the start. We found a cottage we liked online and asked Shawn to arrange a showing. However, the property turned out not to be a good fit at all.
Shawn explained that buying a cottage requires in-person visits to truly assess a property’s suitability and that sometimes, finding the right one can take longer than expected. He assured us that he would support our search for as long as it took. During that first visit, he listened to our vision of a dream cottage property and pointed out items on our wish list that typically don’t coexist—such as a flat, open property paired with deep water right off the dock.
Through this analysis and his patient education about different property types, Shawn refined our wish list, and on our second viewing, we found our dream cottage. Unfortunately, it was someone else’s dream cottage too. Shawn helped us navigate a highly competitive bidding process and ultimately secure the property. I’m told this almost never happens, but I firmly believe it happened in our case because Shawn is a careful listener who transformed our contradictory wish list into a coherent one and used his years of experience to find a property that matched our true vision. Coordinating his team to help us win the bidding war and meet tight closing deadlines was the cherry on top.
Thank you, Shawn. Our boys are going to create countless memories thanks to you and your team!
– Inbae & Nadine, Lake Muskoka
Please accept this brief note as a sincere thank you for the assistance you and your team have provided us during our quest to find a dream cottage in the beautiful Northern Ontario.
Although our search started some 2 years ago, it wasn’t until we met you late last fall, that our dreams begun to take shape.
From the first encounter to the many subsequent conversations and meetings, you have maintained an ultra-professional approach to the process, including timely response to our enquiries (including many evening calls over dinner – thank you), offering options when properties sold before we arrived and always maintain a positive outlook on our chances of finding that special place we’d come to call our cottage retreat or home away from home. Not only did you accommodate a winter purchase, but you also found a way to conclude the transaction during the difficult times our society faces today. Who can forget arranging a trip to see the cottage on snowmobiles in the middle of winter – talk about a unique showing… Or helping us arrange a lawyer when most law firms are shutting down due to COVID-19… Or helping us secure a boat slip at one of the local marinas for the 2020/21 season.
All in all, you and your team have gone above and beyond to ensure our first cottage purchase experience was as painless as possible. Very impressed.
– Rob & Lauri, Georgian Bay
I appreciate your commitment to our goals and what was best for us. While you could have waited a year to get us into an already built and much higher commission for you - you stayed focused on what was best for our long-term goals of building our dream place. Thanks for your dedication to our best interest!
– Gerry and Kerri, Muskoka
With the seemingly insatiable demand for lakefront cottages in Muskoka we were skeptical that a property could be found that would meet our needs. Shawn’s experience, expertise and quick thinking ensured that we did not lose out on a property that had piqued our interest but had a pending offer. We would highly recommend Shawn Woof.
– Alex & Emily, Lake Rosseau
Shawn was a great resource for us when we were looking to purchase our first cottage. Shawn’s experience and background made it easy to trust his advice which in turn helped us get an amazing cottage which we love! Shawn provided key information to help make our decision easier and asked the right questions which saved us thousands of dollars with upgrades and fixes before the closing.
We did not feel any pressure from him; he was professional, knowledgeable, empathetic, and very easy to access when we needed him. We would not hesitate to recommend working with Shawn!
– Haliburton Area
It’s really a challenge to summarize in a few sentences just how amazing Shawn was to partner with to find our beautiful Muskoka Cottage.
I guess it started with our first virtual tour where he patiently walked around a property and we discussed what was great and what was less than ideal. As we spent time with Shawn viewing properties over the summer, he really helped us shape what were our “Must Haves” versus what we might trade-off.
It all culminated in Shawn calling us on a Friday. A new property had just been listed, and he was actually at the property. He really felt this one we had to see. What surprised us was that we had both reviewed the listing and did not feel this was a good fit for us, but Shawn knew otherwise. We fell in love the moment we pulled into the driveway, and it continued as we viewed the cottage and the lake. Shawn patiently helped us work on an offer strategy, and we ended up closing on a beautiful cottage we hope to enjoy for many years to come.
None of this would have been possible without Shawn really spending the time getting to know our family and what we wanted.
Our sincerest thanks to Shawn.
– Sean & Julie, Lake Muskoka
Respected Partner
Colleague Testimonials
Buying a property in cottage country requires a different type of representation. Not only do you need a real estate broker that understands every detail of the real estate sales process, but you need a broker that truly cares about you, the individual. You need a broker that can translate your vision into reality for how you wish to use your cottage to entertain family and friends. Shawn Woof is Muskoka, He’s lived it his entire life. I have the pleasure to work with Shawn as his coach. I saw first hand the shift in his business several years ago when he moved from just selling real estate to focusing on the lifestyle needs and wants of his clients. He took his love for Muskoka and turned it into a passion. A passion to help others truly live the lifestyle that the cottage country provides for him personally. If you are looking to understand the finer details of the Muskoka lifestyle, look no further. Shawn Woof is your cottage country solution.
– Jim Miller, Business Coach/Consultant, Sotheby’s International Realty Network
It is a privilege to provide this testimonial for Shawn as he is the consummate real estate professional always going “above and beyond” for his clients, customers, and colleagues. I know him to be thoughtful, responsive, knowledgeable and insightful in all matters relating to recreational and rural real estate. Thank you Shawn for being a champion to your clients and a champion of our corporate culture here at Sotheby’s International – you are the best!
– Dianne Usher, Managing Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
Shawn Woof personifies everything that is wonderful and distinctive about the Sotheby’s International Realty Canada brand, re-enforced with through his energy, passion and professionalism; while consistently delivering exceptional customer service to his clients. Shawn is an integral part of our Sotheby’s team, who is always willing to participate in any of our corporate initiatives providing his tremendous insight and always showing up with that classic Shawn smile. I have personally known Shawn for close to two years, and I have watched as his success as a Realtor has continually grown, but Shawn always remains humble and remains a tremendous team player. Our organization is much richer and deeper having Shawn on our team, much the same as his clients feel knowing that Shawn is guiding them in their home buying or selling journey.”
– Don Kottick, President & CEO, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
Shawn is the consummate real estate professional always going “above and beyond” for his clients, customers, and colleagues.
– Miles S. Nadal, Founder & Executive Chairman, Peerage Capital
E.&O.E.: Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is Independently Owned And Operated.