Buying a Cottage - Before You Begin Your Search

Unlike buying a house in the city, the check list of your needs when you begin searching for a cottage is most likely going to be way different. Where details like local schools, public transportation and distance to work is important for urban living, when looking for a cottage they get replaced by other important requirements such as type of shoreline, road conditions into the site and distance from the city.

Many people enter the search for a cottage blindly. They know the area they want, maybe even the lake, and usually the price they want to pay. Other than that the old "I'll know it when I see it" goes into play which can make the entire process frustrating and elongated rather than exciting and prompt bringing cottage life closer sooner.

Even as important is working with a realtor who knows the area well and spends the time before hand helping you to formulate your cottage wish list, eliminating endless weekends of looking at properties that don't even come close to your dream.

Here are a few questions BeyondCityLife.com asks first time cottage buyers before setting out on the road to cottage life experience:

•1. How long are you willing to spend driving from you home to the cottage? (Take into account the time needed to reach the city limits.)

•2. In what measure of time will your schedule allow you to spend at the cottage? (weekends, weeks, month(s) etc. )

•3. What type of water based activity is important to you? (canoeing, fishing, wakeboarding etc.)

•4. Are you looking for isolation, free of neighbours or a cottage community?

•5. What comforts are you looking to enjoy at the cottage?

•6. Are you a handyman or would you rather pay someone else?

•7. Do you like sunlight all day or just partial exposure?

These are only a few of the questions you want to ask yourself. For a complete list, no matter where you are looking for a cottage, contact us at BeyondCityLife.com. We'd be glad at making your dream of cottage ownership a reality.

The opinions expressed in this Blog are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Coldwell Banker S.W.E. Heritage Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage