The journal · Port Perry & Scugog

Notes on the home and the town

Short pieces from Keith, Lisa and the Willows Realty Group team about what makes 459 Victoria work and what it is like to live in Port Perry: market updates, buyer and seller guides, neighbourhood notes and a fresh weekend guide every week.

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20 posts · Page 1 of 2

An editorial-style scene of a candlelit lakeside bistro patio at dusk, with wine glasses and small plates on the table, string lights overhead and calm water beyond
Community Spotlight

Pickles & Olives Bistro: Port Perry Community Spotlight

A Port Perry Community Spotlight on Pickles & Olives Bistro, the Italian-inspired lakeside bistro at 110 Water St rated 4.4 stars on Google.

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A heritage main street in a small lakeside Ontario town on Halloween weekend: red brick storefronts with glowing windows, carved jack-o'-lanterns and mums on the doorsteps, maples in gold, and a calm lake glinting at the end of the street
Weekend Guide

What To Do This Weekend in Port Perry: October 30 to November 1, 2026

Things to do this weekend in Port Perry: Halloween murder mystery at the George Stanley Inn, Cooper's Farm Halloween Maze and Applewood Farm's final day.

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The Lake Scugog waterfront near Port Perry in late October, a wooden dock and boathouse over calm water reflecting amber autumn maples, with the historic red-brick mill rising in the distance
Neighborhood Guides

Buying a Lakefront Home on Lake Scugog: A Local Guide

Buying a lakefront home on Lake Scugog: waterfront communities, dock and septic rules, and what a Scugog waterfront home costs near Port Perry.

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A quiet tree-lined residential street in Port Perry on a late October morning, two-storey family homes with front porches beneath maples in orange and gold autumn colour
Buyer Tips

Port Perry Property Taxes: What You Pay in Scugog in 2026

How much are property taxes in Port Perry? Scugog's tax rate, MPAC assessments, what a home like 459 Victoria pays, and relief for seniors.

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The interior of a rustic country food market with a glass-front butcher counter of fresh cuts and cheeses, wooden shelves of preserves and baked goods, and warm afternoon light over a worn wooden floor
Community Spotlight

Trading Post Quality Foods: Scugog Community Spotlight

A Scugog Community Spotlight on Trading Post Quality Foods, the family-run country store and award-winning butcher shop, rated 4.7 stars on Google.

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A heritage lakeside Ontario main street in late October: red brick storefronts, golden maples, pumpkins and mums in window displays, and the white grain elevator rising beside the autumn lake
Weekend Guide

What To Do This Weekend in Port Perry: October 23 to 25, 2026

Things to do this weekend in Port Perry: the Boo-seum at Scugog Shores Museum Village, Pumpkin Palooza at Willowtree Farm and a corn maze after dark.

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The Port Perry waterfront in winter: the historic red-brick mill and white grain elevator rising beside a snow-covered frozen Lake Scugog, with ice-fishing huts on the white ice and snow-dusted trees along the shore
Neighborhood Guides

Winter in Port Perry: A Local Guide to the Cold Months

What is winter in Port Perry really like? Ice fishing on Lake Scugog, the free Lakefront Skate rink and Nonquon trails, plus how Scugog clears the snow.

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The front facade of 459 Victoria St., a two-storey family home with light siding, stone accents, a front porch and an attached two-car garage on a clear sunny day
Seller Tips

How We Sold 459 Victoria St.: The Story Behind the 8-Day Sale

The inside story of the 8-day sale of 459 Victoria St.: an off-market purchase, a one-week prep, and an accepted offer with no price reduction.

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A quiet, tree-lined residential street in Port Perry on an October morning, with two-storey family homes, front porches and maples in full autumn colour
Buyer Tips

How Much House Can You Afford in Port Perry in 2026?

What does a home budget buy in Port Perry in 2026? Worked mortgage numbers, down payment rules, and which Scugog streets fit your price range.

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A heritage bakery interior in Port Perry with a glass display case of glazed donuts, apple fritters and butter tarts, warm morning light across a worn wood floor
Community Spotlight

Hank's Pastries: Port Perry Community Spotlight

A Port Perry Community Spotlight on the family-run bakery at 204 Queen St, famed for apple fritters and a signature butter tart doughnut, rated 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor.

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The Port Perry lakefront on a mid-October morning: the historic white grain elevator rising beside the calm gold and amber water of Lake Scugog, maples in full fall colour along the shore path and a light mist over the water
Weekend Guide

What To Do This Weekend in Port Perry: October 16 to 18, 2026

Things to do this weekend in Port Perry: corn maze nights at Cooper's Farm, Pumpkin Palooza at Willowtree Farm, and chocolate and cheese on Queen Street.

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A quiet tree-lined residential street in Port Perry in mid-autumn, with family homes, front porches and attached garages beneath maples turning orange and gold
Neighborhood Guides

Best Family Neighbourhoods in Port Perry: A Local Guide

Where do families live in Port Perry? A local guide to the best family neighbourhoods, streets, schools and what homes cost in Scugog in 2026.

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The front facade of 459 Victoria St., a two-storey family home with light siding, stone accents, a front porch and an attached two-car garage on a clear sunny day
Seller Tips

Selling a Home in Port Perry: A Local Guide for 2026

How to sell a home in Port Perry in 2026: pricing to Scugog comparables, pre-listing prep, days on market, and what actually moves a listing.

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A red-and-cream Ontario farm market porch in early October, with wooden crates of apples and squash, small pumpkins, golden mums and maple trees turning amber behind the market
Community Spotlight

Willowtree Farm: Scugog Community Spotlight

A Scugog Community Spotlight on the family-run farm market and cafe at 975 Regional Rd 21, rated 4.6 stars on Google from more than 1,000 reviews.

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The Port Perry lakefront on a Thanksgiving weekend morning: the historic grain elevator rising beside the calm water of Lake Scugog, maples in full fall colour and a harvest display of pumpkins and gourds on the shore
Weekend Guide

What To Do This Weekend in Port Perry: October 9 to 11, 2026

Archived Weekend Guide edition: the lakefront farmers' market finale, Pumpkin Palooza, Fall Fun on the Farm and a BIA fall market.

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Queen Street, Port Perry's heritage main street, on a crisp October morning, with brick storefronts and maple trees in orange and gold leading down toward the Lake Scugog waterfront
Market Updates

Port Perry Real Estate Market Update: What's Happening This Fall

Port Perry real estate market update for October 2026: Scugog home prices, Durham trends, and what buyers and sellers should watch this fall.

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A quiet residential street in Port Perry on a crisp October morning, with two-storey family homes, front porches and maple trees in full autumn colour
Buyer Tips

First-Time Home Buyer's Guide to Port Perry (2026)

How much do you need for a first home in Port Perry? Down payments, closing costs, the best streets and schools, and a step-by-step plan from the Willows Realty Group team.

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A warm heritage craft brewery taproom with a long polished wood bar, brass taps and exposed timber beams from an 1870s building, in late-afternoon light
Community Spotlight

Old Flame Brewing Co.: Port Perry Community Spotlight

A Port Perry Community Spotlight on the craft brewery pouring traditional German-style lagers inside the 1874 Ontario Carriage Works building, rated 4.6 stars on Google.

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Queen Street in Port Perry on a bright early October afternoon: heritage storefronts with fall window displays, maple trees turning gold, and the historic grain elevator rising beside Lake Scugog in the distance
Weekend Guide

What To Do This Weekend in Port Perry: October 2 to 4, 2026

Archived Weekend Guide edition: the lakefront farmers' market, the BIA pumpkin hunt, Pumpkin Palooza and live music at Willowtree Farm.

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Queen Street in downtown Port Perry at dusk, with heritage brick storefronts and warm restaurant light spilling onto the sidewalk under a deep blue September sky
Neighborhood Guides

The Best Restaurants in Port Perry: A Local Dining Guide

Where do locals eat in Port Perry? Queen Street, Water Street and Scugog's best restaurants and cafes, hand-picked by the Willows Realty Group team.

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Keith Williams and Lisa C. Follows of Willows Realty Group

Your local team

Keith Williams & Lisa C. Follows

Brokers & co-founders, Willows Realty Group · RE/MAX Hall of Fame · MCNE

Keith and Lisa bring 29 years of client relationships, corporate strategy and some of the industry’s hardest-won designations to every Port Perry sale. When you work with Willows Realty Group, you work with a team built on partnership, experience and a genuine commitment to the communities they serve across Durham Region.

More about the team 905-447-5842

Ready to talk about your next move?

Keith and Lisa have lived and worked in Durham Region for decades. Call, write or book a time to talk about 459 Victoria Street or the Port Perry market.

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