Looking to Buy a Cottage? Here’s What You Need to Know

Since the first round of COVID-19 lockdowns in the spring of 2020, more home buyers have been purchasing properties in cottage country. 

Spending more time at home, and longing for additional space both indoors and out, has sent many buyers into rural markets across the country, causing sales to skyrocket in these communities. In December, the Lakelands Association of REALTORS®, which represents Muskoka, Haliburton, Orillia Parry Sound in Ontario recorded new annual records for both non-waterfront and waterfront property sales, which grew by 16.5% and 44.9%, respectively.

With employer mindsets shifting towards more flexible work from home policies, providing home buyers with greater freedom as to where they can live, all indications are pointing to another strong year in 2021. 

People have been looking to get out to cottage country not just for the summer season, but all year long, we do see a lot of people looking at year-round places, which are more important to them. A place that they can live at, versus just being able to go away for a few days at a time.

If you’re looking to make your first home purchase in cottage country, here are a few crucial facts you’ll need to know before you buy. 

Consider property access and distance to amenities

Whether you’re eying a cottage by the lake or one that’s nestled in the forest, there are many unique settings to consider when buying a rural property. Your cottage’s location can greatly impact your lifestyle, especially if you decide to live there year-round.

One of the first things you’ll likely need to determine when buying a cottage property is how you’ll be able to access the home. If you plan to live at your cottage year-round, you’ll want to ensure the roads to get to and from your residence are well maintained and accessible, especially during the winter. 

How remote your cottage is will also play a role in your purchase. The recent surge of all-season cottage buyers don’t want to feel too isolated, and want to be fairly close to neighbours in case there’s an emergency.

You’ll also want to consider proximity to basic amenities, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals. Most cottage buyers prefer to be within 30 minutes of a small town where these services are available, and up to three hours from a major urban centre. 

Learn about rural infrastructure and home winterization

Unlike a city or suburban home, cottage properties don’t always share municipal services. Instead, cottage dwellers will have to get familiar with the rural infrastructure needed to independently manage their home’s water, heating and sanitation utilities. 

Buyers will have to be aware of the types of systems their home uses. Some properties feature dug or drilled wells, and source water from nearby rivers and lakes. Make note of how the home processes sewage, like through a septic tank, which is stored on-site and underground. You’ll also need to learn about how you can dispose of your garbage, whether a regular pick-up service is available or if you’ll be required to drive to the local dump. 

If your plan is to live at the cottage all-year round, it’s vital your home is properly winterized and can withstand the cold. Check the home is well insulated in the walls, pipes and roof, and to make sure the heating source is efficient for the size of the property. Be sure the cottage can also supply water in the freezing months with the help of a defrost line into the well or a heat trace that will keep the pipes from freezing.

It’s not uncommon to get zero service bars in rural areas either—be sure to confirm you can receive reliable mobile phone and internet service at the cottage, especially if you’re working remotely.    

Cell and internet service are obviously very important, especially for people that are doing a lot of work from home. There are some areas of cottage country that have pretty good service. There’s other areas that don’t.

Calculate cottage insurance and upkeep costs

Just like any home, cottages come with a range of maintenance costs, though some of these expenses are unique to rural areas. 

You’ll want to factor in long-term upkeep expenses, like keeping the driveway in good condition so it’s easily accessible. Your property may be on a septic system, which will require pumping every three to five years depending on its size and usage, which also contributes to maintenance costs. When looking at a cottage property examine the health of any trees and their orientation towards the house—cutting down sickly shrubs can get expensive. Danger trees can cost $1,000 to take down, so if you’ve got a number of those that you’ve got to take down in the next few years, that can really add to the cost of your purchase.

When it comes to financing your property, there are a number of factors that will contribute to your insurance rates, such as your distance from local fire stations, if your home is elevated from nearby water, and even how often the home is occupied. 

The mortgage lending process will also look a bit different from what’s involved for your typical city or suburban home. If your home meets the standards to be a primary residence, you may be able to put down a 5% mortgage deposit, though some lenders could request 25% in some cases. Hence, it’s crucial to understand the different implications for each cottage mortgage provider. 

There’s a lot of things to think about when purchasing a property, Which is why it’s good to have a professional real estate agent looking out for you. reach out to us today to make your dreams of purchasing a cottage a reality.