Testimonials

How fortunate were we to make the acquaintance of Rick French and to have him represent us on purchasing our cottage property!

Rick took us through the purchase process step by step.  Not only was he responsive to all our questions and inquiries before the purchase he was responsive AFTERWARD when I think many agents would have felt their ‘job’ was done.  It was as though Rick managed the purchase of our property with the care and expertise as if he was buying it for himself or a family member.

Buying a cottage property is very different from buying a city or urban property.  Well numbers?  Potable water?  Deeded access?  We didn’t have to become experts in any of this because we already had an expert, Rick!  While we were back in our city home, Rick made visits to the property on our behalf to verify/gather additional information when necessary.

Did I mention Rick met us at our property the day it closed?  He changed the door lock for us, he then helped us hook up the dock  and did a couple of return trips to ensure our water was working exactly as it should.  Unbelievable service.  No one believes me when I tell them about our Agent.

Rick really took the worry out of our cottage purchase.  All we had to focus on was all the fun times we get to look forward to.  How fortunate.

Thanks a million Rick,

Mick & Pam.

Hi Rick,

We would like to thank you for all the time and attention to detail you gave us during our searching, purchasing and selling of properties in the Apsley area. Your honesty and commitment to us during these times was exceptional and if you were unavailable you were sure to have your assistant complete the task at hand.

Many thanks,

Rick was referred to us by another realtor when we decided that North Kawartha was the right area for our cottage search. Rick listened to our wish/want/need list. He showed us several properties. This helped both of us to focus in on what we were truly looking for and was patient with our questions. We are first time cottage purchasers and we asked a lot. The property we purchased has surpassed our expectations. Beautiful waterfront, sunset and wide lake views, lovely quiet clean spring fed lake, gorgeous granite outcroppings and yet still close enough to town for all our needs. We had looked for a long time but it took Rick who listened to us to find our lovely retreat. He helped us settle in and gave us a vision of what the cottage could be. And now is. Thank you Rick. Our family loves it.

The buying and selling of real estate can be a very stressful experience, but working with an empathetic real estate professional like Blake Steels can make it a much less arduous process.  We found Blake to be personable, informative and committed to getting us the best results possible.  He answered all of our questions immediately; took all of our phone calls readily; explained each step of the listing/selling/closing procedures thoroughly and clearly; kept us fully informed of all developments as they arose.  Blake was a very effective communicator, and it was his focus on keeping us fully apprised that we appreciated most.  We were also aware that Blake was an integral part of the Bowes and Cocks Apsley Office team, a member who contributed to the overall effectiveness of the team and who was clearly supported, in turn, by it.  In conclusion, we achieved a very satisfactory resolution with regard to our real estate transaction thanks, in large measure, to the work of Blake Steels.

We can not say enough good things about Rick and David. They made our cottage purchasing experience fun with no stress. They are extremely professional and knowledgeable in what they do! They are so honest and we felt they were really looking out for our best interest through the entire process. They went above and beyond their duties during the process and once our sale was finalized and complete they still checked in a few months later to make sure everything was going okay. If you are in the market to purchase or buy real estate I HIGHLY recommend this team!!

We’ve been looking for a retirement waterfront property for a couple of years and just love working with David French. He knows the lakes and the communities in Muskoka as well as The Kawarthas and all areas in between. David is a lot of fun to work with (there’s not a zip line or a rock wall that he won’t test) he’s always smiling and has a positive attitude. He is patient and honest and not afraid to steer us away from a property that looks good on the surface but “doesn’t tick all the boxes”. David is great at keeping in touch and following up and is always up for an afternoon of showings.

When we stopped into his office one weekend, Blake listened to our comments of the type of property we were looking for.  He showed a couple of places immediately but when a new listing came onto the market, he knew that was exactly the place for us! We closed the deal and have enjoyed our new home incredibly ever since.

Could not have been happier. The tag team of Rick and David French and The Cottages4Sale Team made the sale of our long loved cottage a pleasant experience from start to finish. Rick met us promptly for an initial meeting where we spent a long time getting to know each other. They are extremely professional while being relaxed and friendly. It was clear that they would guide us with their expertise, but the decisions were ours to make. Communication was excellent. Attention to detail was top notch. They really go above and beyond, ensuring that all aspects of getting to the closing are met. We would recommend this team in a heart beat. You could not be in better hands.

Last year I contacted Rick French for an Opinion Of Value. After discussing everything, Rick advised to give it more time as he sensed that I really was undecided. I really appreciated his knowledge and compassion as compared to other real estate agents.

A year later, I made up my mind to sell.

I cannot say enough about the professional team of Rick and Sarah. Their presentation from pictures and open house resulted in a very quick sale for over selling. Rick and Sarah were there from beginning to end. Their knowledge and moral support in a truly emotional time in my life was really appreciated. 43 years is a long time of memories. I would highly recommend the team of Rick and Sarah to anyone. I consider them not only real estate agents but most importantly, I consider them friends.

Over the years, my husband and I have bought and sold a few houses, but we found that selling our cottage was a really difficult decision to make. We have had over 50 years of wonderful family times there, but we also knew the time was right for us to move on.
At our first meeting with David French to discuss putting our property up for sale, he immediately recognized our struggle with this decision. When he told us that in his experience, selling a cottage is more emotional than selling a house, we knew we had found the right realtor for us.
From our first meeting with David, through to the listing process, offers and final sale, David has been absolutely incredible and so supportive. His expertise and advice have been immensely helpful to us and we highly recommend his services to anyone who is thinking of either purchasing or selling a property. We couldn’t be happier with our decision to have David as our realtor.
Thank you, David!
Stephanie and Doug

I am writing to thoroughly recommend the services of Rick French and Bowes & Cocks, who helped us find our dream cottage on Chandos Lake. Rick was extremely knowledgeable about the area and the process, which helped us out immensely as first time cottage owners. Not only that, Rick was extremely hands on, going above and beyond – including such things as wiring some electronics and assembling a grill for us! Rick also provided several local referral contractors who have gone on to do excellent work for us. Would definitely recommend Rick!

For anyone who is currently looking to purchase or sell, land homes or cottages, I would definitely give my recommendation. Rick and his assistant recently helped my wife and I purchase a vacant building lot, the transaction went smoothly and closed on time. The experience and guidance made the purchase process enjoyable and stress free. I have also sold property with Rick in the past and have had nothing but a professional, honest and enjoyable experience from start to finish!

We look forward to working together in the future.

Kind regards,

Everything is going great.  Indeed I am sitting on the dock as I write this!  The summer so far has been exactly what we were hoping for.  We even spent a few weekends up here in the winter — hockey and ice fishing!   Since the weather has warmed up we have already been in the lake a few times.  We are loving every minute of it.

Working with Blake was an absolute pleasure.  He was knowledgeable and professional but also just fun to see places with.  We definitely appreciated that he went above and beyond when we found a place outside his normal working area.    We would certainly recommend him to anybody without hesitation.

Thanks again for your help, Blake, and if you’re ever in the area definitely drop by for a cold beer on the dock!

To whom it may concern.

I have been working with Rick French for the past 5 months to assist me in selling an estate property of my parents. I can say with little doubt that the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the local market is unparalleled. His assistance and understanding of the complexities of the parcel of land as well as providing sound guidance in laying plan has provided benefits well beyond any remuneration that could be provided by its pending sale. In a very short time, he has quickly proven himself as a qualified real-estate agent and moreover become a patient and trusted advisor in this matter.

I am writing this testimonial to express my appreciation to Blake Steels and the team for their exceptional professionalism in helping my family with the purchase our first cottage in Buckhorn. Throughout the entire process, Blake gave sound advice and listened to our preferences to get a clear understanding of what we were looking for.
Blake patiently took time to show us various cottages and provided valuable insights to help us make an informed decision. The team has deep experience in negotiating agreements. Their integrity was evident throughout the entire process, and I felt completely confident in their ability to navigate.
Blake went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and seamless experience. His dedication and personalized approach set him apart.
I highly recommend Blake and the whole team to anyone seeking to buy or sell a property.

My mom lived in her home for 59 years until last August, when it became apparent she needed to make a change. It was also my childhood home, so the decision to move mom into a retirement home and sell her house was not an easy one, probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Moms good neighbors happened to be Dave’s in-laws, so I contacted Dave, moms house was listed and sold in a month. Dave, in my opinion went over and above his job as our realtor!! He understood the heartache and anxiety of what it was like to part with that house. He was always texting me to see how I was doing and how my mom was doing. I will never forget the compassion and empathy Dave showed and continues to show. I would highly, highly recommend Dave French to anyone and everyone I know. Thank you once again, my real estate hero, Dave French.

Rick, David and Blake recently did an outstanding job selling our family cottage on Jack Lake. It was a bit complicated as a two property deal but they took care of everything and were always available to assist with all aspects concerning the sale. Professional in every way and very experienced they made the whole process quick and easy. We would recommend them without any hesitation.

I am pleased to provide this testimonial for Blake Steels, who recently helped me navigate the process of buying my first cottage.

From start to finish, working with Blake was an exceptional experience, and I am truly grateful for his expertise and professionalism. What sets Blake apart is his exceptional integrity and his care for our satisfaction. Throughout the entire buying journey, he took the time to listen to everyone in the family and he guided us to an informed decision. He was always there, with a prompt response that contained the information needed, extra resources, and extra advice that saved us time and money. His knowledge of the surrounding areas and his reliable support went beyond the closing date and he continued to be a valuable resource for me and my family as we were settling in our new cottage.

Overall, my experience with Blake Steels was truly exceptional. If you are looking for a real estate agent who will go the extra mile to ensure your dreams in the cottage country are fulfilled, that would be Blake. He will undoubtedly provide an outstanding experience and help you find your perfect home. Thank you Blake!

David provided us with a comprehensive appraisal for our cottage property that enabled us to sell it privately, to a friend. Had this private sale not worked out, we would definitely have listed the property with David.