5 Things you absolutely should know before buying a cottage.

1. If you’re buying a lakefront cottage, make sure the seller owns the waterfront.

Before you get carried away with visions of relaxing on the dock with a happy hour libation in hand, make sure you actually own the land where you would be building that dock. If the seller doesn’t own the land, you’ll need to purchase it from the municipal government. Know too that there may be restrictions about what you can do on shorelines. There may be laws in place that won’t let you build that dock you’ve been dreaming of.

2. Know what type of boating you’re allowed to do on the lake your cottage is on.

The size of the lake often dictates the types of activities you can do on it. For instance, smaller lakes generally don’t allow motorized boats, so plan on paddle boarding or canoeing or fishing from a rowboat instead. If you’re situated on a large lake, you’ll likely be able to use a motorboat, but you’ll want to confirm this. Will a lot of boat traffic bother you?  Spend time there during the day to suss out noise and traffic levels. And be sure to bone up on current boating rules. 

3. If you’re considering buying a winterized cottage, is it even accessible in winter? 

If the cottage is located off the beaten path on secondary roads, make sure the roads are maintained year-round.

If not, you may need a four-wheel drive to get there in winter. Plus, if you’re on an island, you’ll need a boat to get there in summer and a ski-doo to get there in winter. Be sure to factor in those costs.

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4. Remember to factor in how much insurance will cost for your cottage? 

Many providers will provide preferred rates for insuring a vacation property along with your primary residence. Moreover, most will give you further discounts if you insure your vehicle with them as well. If you’re a CAA Member, you’ll enjoy savings that you could put towards a fun new water toy.