Anita Latner Realty Inc. is owned by me, Anita Latner, the corporation's broker of record. Of the 22 years I've been selling waterfront properties on lakes Muskoka, Joseph, Rosseau, Lake of Bays, and Muskoka's smaller lakes, 16 have been under my own name. You can find me on “Google”. Not “Facebook”. Nor any social network. Make no mistake. As casually as I may dress, “Muskoka” is “big business”. My business.

Although I can't remember never summering in Muskoka as a cottager; Muskoka is now my home. Muskoka frames so many of our family's photos.

In honour of our parents, our family named a road after them for the gift they bestowed on their children and grand-children. The gift? Muskoka. And, exclusive membership to its “Big Three” lakes.

Our family cottage is fifty years old...half a century...

Like those of my parents' generation, my folks built their own dream cottage along Lake     Muskoka's shores. There was lots of vacant shoreline available then. Not so now. Now if you wish...dream...to build your own cottage...you are in the market for a 'tear-down' on a prime piece of Muskoka's rich shoreline. Or, you are prepared to search for a cottage that best suits your family. Regardless, the pursuit requires patience. It is an investment of time&money.

Simply put: your home is your castle; your cottage is Camelot.

The selling or buying of your cottage is more emotional than any other property investment. It is the last best place in the world you will ever buy; stacked with more dreams and less compromises than any other. That's what I see in my practice.

When age forced my parents' friends to retire from their active summer lives, they all listed their cottages for sale with me; then a young “upstart”. Talk about loyalty to our family.

Chalk it up as another gift from that generation of entrepreneurs: trust and loyalty.

And now three generations later, we are honoring their gift of Muskoka to us.

Every August long weekend, I sponsor Anita Latner's (Muskoka) Cottage Challenge: a 5km & 10km family race in the annual Muskoka Rocks Road Race, which raises money for Camp Oochigeas; a camp in Muskoka for children with cancer.

Aside from their family and friends, the last thing my mother and father wanted to see was their Muskoka cottage. That was their last wish. They were too frail for us to fulfill their last rites in Muskoka.

In some vicarious way, I extend their desire to be in Muskoka to these brave kids; if only for a few weeks. And, in some ways, for the kid in all of us.

That's life in Muskoka: carefree summer days.

My belief has always been to do what you do well. To be the best. To honor and respect your business. And, the business you refer to me.

That is the credo for Anita Latner Realty Inc.