Cottaging 101

The search for peace and tranquility and a place to grow family dreams can take you to some interesting places, particularly if you forgot some of the homework needed to make certain you get what you need, and avoid things you don’t.  These are some of our thoughts and advice for choosing the waterfront lot of your dreams.

1. Identify your priorities

What are the social and recreational pastimes most important to you and your family?  What do you think they will be in the future?  As your kids get older and head off to college or university, your cottage may become a place where family traditions are continued and extended.  You will want to ensure that the lake environment will accommodate your family’s passions, pastimes, and future development (both physically and socially).  Have you considered what services are most important now and what will be important to your family needs in the future? 

2. What are your location options? 

How does your location affect your lifestyle choices?  Point lands often enhance view corridors, but they also put you closer to boat traffic and “lookey loos.”  Secluded bays may offer quieter waters for swimming, but may concentrate noise or restrict views.  Remember:  what you see is what you get – for years and years…

3. What is your development potential?

Do you know the municipal by-laws and restrictions?  Do you understand the environmental concerns for the property and how they may impact your use and enjoyment of it?  Find out if there is a Lake Management Plan in place or a local Cottagers’ Association.  These can be great resources that will increase your understanding of environmental issues, standards of architecture, and the quality of other and/or adjacent properties on the lake. 

4. Kids, Kids, Kids…

Is the lot located on a lake with neighbours who have kids of similar age?  Kids love to play with other kids – the social potential of your cottage is as important to kids as it is to you.  If they are in their teen years, it could be a major factor in their desire to be “at the cottage” at all.  Also remember that being close to town can be important for your kids’ health (as when you need an emergency trip to town), or for your own mental health (as when you need a quick video fix to make those rainy days survivable.)

5. The Commute

Is today’s novelty commute tomorrow’s drudgery drive?  Proximity to a major metro centres shortens the drive, but near-metro recreation real estate will exact a heavy toll on the family budget, perhaps restriction the collection of the necessary cottaging toys (boats, A.T.V.s, etc.).  Driving a little further can save you (hundreds of) thousands, and if it’s done on a major highway, the drive can be safe and easy.  You want access to the cottage over four seasons to make sure that reaching your paradise is safe and easy in all kinds of weather.  And remember, the road more traveled may just be traveled by everyone.  If you’re not ready for a traffic jam on every commute, you may want to look outside the main access corridors.  The bottom line is “What is your tolerance for the length and quality of the commute vs. the monetary savings?” 

6. Is the cottage a year-round retreat?

There is no better way of leveraging the value of your cottage investment than by using it throughout all four seasons.  Late fall, winter, and early spring are seasons which yield unsurpassed tranquility and beauty to those who make the effort to venture forth.  It is important to consider insulation, heating systems, water, and septic delivery systems when first building, as retro-fitting major mechanical systems can be very expensive and complex, depending upon the situation.  Other things to consider: does the town plow your road?  Has your municipality taken the cottage owner’s service needs into account in all seasons? 

7. Water supply

What is your water source?  Is it potable according to your local Health Unit?  All rural water sources must be checked periodically for suspended organics and inorganic content.  It is relatively easy to stay on top of, but remember – you are your own water treatment plant.  Quality must be job #1!  Will your lake provide a reliable water source in terms of quantity/quality?  Will the source of potable water be secure and stable for now and well into the future? 

8. Septic systems

Your septic system requirements are tied to the size and capacity of your buildings.  Be certain that you take into account bunkies and other shelters that put demands on your water and sewer utilities.  Have you considered the soil cover on the property?  Is there enough mineral soil cover to build a septic bed, or will you have to consider (higher cost) alternatives?  Septic systems can run from $7,000 to $30,000, depending on site conditions and restrictions.  The good news is that once these systems are installed, they are long-lived and generally easy and inexpensive to maintain. 

9. Getting good help

It is essential to protect your recreation real estate investment by getting good advice.  Local building knowledge is invaluable.  Seek the advice of experience professional contractors and tradespeople.  Check with the Chamber of Commerce and cross-reference the advice to be certain that the information is accurate, unbiased, and will add value to the lot development cost/benefit equation over the expected lifetime of its use. 

10. Environmental considerations

Do you know all you need to know about the property in terms of its historical uses, the present condition of its (environmental) health, and the future development within the community that may affect the environment in the long run?  Investigate what work, if any, is being done (or being planned) by government agencies to preserve, protect, and improve the health of the environment over the expected lifetime of your use of the property. 

Answers to the questions on this list are generally simple and straightforward.  Within the new community where you are choosing to live, a tremendous amount of well-intentioned advice exists.  As in all things, know your sources, beware of bias and, when in doubt, ask people of good reputation to share their insights and advice.  The joy of rural living is that neighbours to care and will go out of their way to help. 

If you see a waterfront lot that your heart tells you is right, and your budget will sustain the dream, the best advice is to act decisively before your dream location is purchased out from under you in this overheated market. 

TEST!