Featured in Chestnut Park's February 2026 “Agent Anthology“

Chestnut Park has featured me in their February “Agent Anthology“ on their blog. Here is the article.

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From Lakeside Listings to Lifelong Lessons: Reflections on a Career in Muskoka

BY Susan Brown, Broker

Over the 36 years I’ve been a full-time Realtor in the Huntsville and Lake of Bays area, I’ve witnessed extraordinary change — not just in real estate, but in how we live, work, and connect.

When I first started in real estate in 1990, after moving here from Toronto, the fax machine had just been invented. No agents had their own computers, and only a handful had those bulky “shoebox” car phones — we didn’t call them cell phones back then. It would still be a few years before I had a mobile phone of my own.

Listings were published weekly in blue 8½” x 11” paperback books by the local Real Estate Board. By today’s standards, it sounds like ancient history — and in many ways, it is.

The Strange, the Funny, and the Scary

Over the years, I’ve experienced more than my share of bizarre situations. Some were funny. Some were unsettling. A few were genuinely frightening.

At times, I brought my husky/wolf dog, Skye, along on showings. If I ever felt a bad vibe from a buyer, Skye came in with me on his leash. He was well trained, and there was never an incident — but I learned early on to trust my instincts.

One of the scariest moments of my career happened when I was showing a cottage that seemed absolutely perfect for my buyers, who were driving up from the city specifically to see this one property. I arrived a few minutes early to open up and turn on the lights.

As I stepped out of my car, a middle-aged man emerged from the cottage holding a rifle and told me to leave — that the property was no longer for sale.

It turned out he was the son of the owner, who had passed away, and he believed the cottage now belonged to him. Legally, it didn’t. I wasn’t about to argue. I got back in my car, called my clients, and told them to turn around.

Looking back, I probably should have reported the incident to the police. But it reinforced an important lesson: always let someone know where you’re going and check in with them.

Another time, I stopped by one of my vacant listings — a lovely older home filled with charm — only to discover that someone had been living there. A woman had essentially moved in and was camping inside the house.

She wasn’t there at the time, but the police were called and later found her. She had escaped from a psychiatric ward and was completely delusional, believing the house had been left to her by her grandmother. It hadn’t. She was in no way related to the Sellers.

Apparently at some time in the past she had seen the house from the outside and liked it. Then began to believe the fictitious story that it was her house. She was returned to the hospital, and I never learned what became of her.

And Yes… Haunted Houses

Then there are the haunted houses. Oh yes — quite a few of them.

Some were homes where suicides or murders had taken place. Others were properties where someone had passed away and wasn’t discovered for many days.

In one memorable case, I was listing a home where the adult children were handling the sale of their late mother’s estate and were living in the house temporarily. Their mother had lived in the house for many years, and it seemed her spirit wasn’t quite ready to leave.

I asked, “Did the previous owner pass away in the house?”

Their response still gives me chills:

“We’ve had some very strange happenings since moving in. One night we were sitting in the great room — Dave on the couch, me in the chair — and Dave felt someone sit beside him. There was even a dent in the couch.

The TV shuts off for no reason. We hear what sounds like a bicycle bell ringing, but we can’t find anything that would make that sound.

One morning the dishwasher turned itself on while no one was in the kitchen. Another night we heard a huge bang from the front of the house, but nothing had moved.

We’re not freaked out — more curious. And honestly, if she wants to do my dishes, that’s fine with me.”

The Best Part of the Job

On a much happier note, I’ve met hundreds — probably thousands — of truly wonderful people over the years. Most people are lovely.

I’ve helped families find their dream properties and helped others navigate necessary change, especially seniors who are ready to downsize. Many clients have become lasting friends.
One thing I want to say — especially to newer agents — is that it’s perfectly okay to be a solo agent. There’s a lot of pressure today to join a team, and that works beautifully for some people. But it isn’t the only path.

For me, being solo has worked extremely well. With the incredible administrative and marketing support at Chestnut Park, it’s absolutely doable. I don’t thrive in an office setting — I thrive out in the world, working from home, on the road, meeting people. I love the daily variety.

Life Beyond Real Estate

Work-life balance has always been important to me. Recently, I’ve volunteered at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary — brushing deer, feeding lynx, and eventually leading tours for the public.

I also volunteer at Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville on the Acquisitions Committee, helping determine which donated items meet the criteria to be accepted. While I specialize in waterfront property, I have a deep appreciation for historical homes and buildings. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of listing and selling some of the oldest and most charming cottages on Muskoka’s lakes.

What I’ve Learned

The most important lesson I’ve learned — and truly embraced — is the value of genuinely caring and truly feeling empathy for clients. If you sincerely practice this, you’ll be rewarded not just financially, but emotionally as well.

After 36 years, that’s what matters most.