When the weather turns warm & sunny, thoughts turn to cottage country for many of us.  Rent or buy?  There are advantages to both …  short term rental means no obligations or worries.  However, owning a cottage means it’s all yours!  Always available any time of the year.  What do you need to think about when purchasing a cottage, though?  There’s a few things worth pointing out.

First of all, always work with a Realtor who knows the area.  Your trusted Realtor where you live can find you a trusted Realtor wherever you want to purchase, but never assume you are safe to make decisions in an area you are not familiar with.  A local Realtor will have the inside scoop on the history, the area and more. 

What to look for?  If being on the water is important to you, ensure you do have access to the water legally.  Do you own to the water or is it municipally owned?  Does the public also have rights to cross through your property to access the water? Here’s where asking for a survey and checking with the City or Township will be very helpful. 

Most recreational properties are in rural settings so there could be a lack of cell phone service, access to amenities and possibly a lack of municipal water, so the property will be dependent on a well or cistern.  You will need to ensure the water is potable by having it tested independently from the Seller and ensure there’s adequate supply to carry on the every-day needs of your family once you have moved in. 

With a cottage often comes a lack of sewers, which likely means a septic system is being used, and an inspection will be needed to ensure the system is in good condition and everything is flowing out according to municipal standards. 

Lastly, inside the cottage, just like in any home, the heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems needs to be checked, and a qualified, licensed Home Inspector, knowledgeable and experienced with Country / Recreational properties, would be a good investment for such an important purchase.  Often you will need more than one inspection to ensure all items are checked.

Although it sounds like a long and winding road, it’s worth it to ensure you end up with the Recreational Property of YOUR DREAMS!  So call us, your trusted and experienced Team of Realtors, to help you get started.

Warm Regards,

Lynn Fee