A last-minute guide to finding the perfect spot
When warm weather hits, many long for a spot on a dock or deck with a water view. There are affordable options nearby, including the Gatineau Hills, Ottawa Valley, Gananoque and the Rideau Lakes. We’ve talked to experts to bring you tips on cottage buying
BUYING A COTTAGE
Know your waterfront: Learning the intangibles of your potential cottage’s waterfront is the top priority. Every body of water comes with its own culture. For example, the lifestyle is very different on the busy Rideau Canal system versus a quiet back lake, explains Terry Bryan of Coldwell Banker Coburn Realty in Westport (thecottageguy.com).
What’s on the bottom of your lake? How deep is it? Is it weedy on your shoreline? Are there currents just off the dock or shore? Your lake can determine everything from boating restrictions to fishing options.
“You’re going to take a financial bath if you don’t know your waterfront,” cautions Neil Scott of Bowes & Cocks Brokerage in Westport (waterfrontwiz.com). “You (have to) know what’s there underneath the water.”
The waterfront will be the focal point of any cottage. Get it right.
The big question: Beach vs. drop off. People get hung up on the idea of having a beach — especially if they have young children. They want a gradual waterfront as opposed to a deepwater drop off.
But the reality is that children will need life-jackets either way — and they grow up fast. They’ll soon prefer a dock where they can dive and jump into the water, according to the pros.
“People sometimes get frightened if there is 10 feet of water off the dock,” Scott says. “But kids learn to swim very quickly.”
Sandy beachfronts are scarce on the Quebec side of cottage country, says Stephen Lynott of Century 21 Macintyre Inc., which specializes in Gatineau Hills properties (century21.ca/macintyre). A beach or small, peaceful lake may seem like the right idea now, but growing children are going to soon want more action — both on your waterfront and on the lake, Lynott adds.
Inform yourself: Don’t be susceptible to rash decisions and do your research. Deal with a local realtor and local lawyer with expertise in your geographic area and lake, and the “idiosyncrasies of the waterfront,” says Bryan.
Focus on a desired area. Then do your homework. Bryan recommends even renting on a coveted lake before buying on it. Scott also suggests getting mortgage preapproval before you search; down payments on cottages are typically larger.
Wish list: Bryan, Scott and Lynott all recommend compiling a family wish list before starting the hunt. Prospective buyers need to know what they’re looking for and be ready for trade-offs, Bryan says.
Is privacy more important to you or a non-weedy waterfront? Are you interested in a beach or boating? Do you have a dog and want more space for it to run off leash?
Cottages come in every shape, size, location and price. “Some rustic cottages are little more than ‘comfortable camping,’ ” says Andrew S. Walker, the editor of CottageTips.com. “Others are fullblown homes on the water.”
Buyers also need to be realistic. “People have a Santa Claus wish list,” Scott says. “That utopian cottage probably doesn’t exist other than in Cottage Life magazine.”
Inspection and testing: Make sure you have a certified, recommended inspector do a building, property and septic inspection, and professionally test the drinking water ( Walker recommends either a private lab or the local health unit).
Much like buying a house, you don’t want any “unexpected surprises,” Bryan says. With due diligence, you should know about any imminent and urgent repair costs before your purchase closes. Make sure inspections are part of your conditional offer.
Price: On the Quebec side north
The more remote and rustic you get, the better the price. Water-access properties that are off the grid are very private and generally quite affordable.
of Ottawa, distance from OttawaGatineau affects cost. A cottage relatively near the cities could go for $350,000 to $550,000.
“You can go further away and find smaller lakes that are less expensive ($200,000 to $350,000),” Lynott says.
The lingering effects of the 2008 recession and Nortel going under have diminished interest in high-end cottages on the Ontario side, Scott says. “(Buyers) are still apprehensive. There are very few sales over $800,000. But
the $200,000 to $400,000 market is very hot right now.”
Location/amenities: How important are they to you? Are you comfortable with small-town options or do you need a nearby community with dining, shopping and leisure opportunities for those inevitable rainy days (or weeks)?
Amenities are obviously much scarcer in remote areas, but the cottages are much cheaper. Proximity to cities such as Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston can come with a cost.
Plus, how often do you plan on making the cottage commute? Walker says buyers commonly “over-estimate the amount of time they will actually spend at the cottage.”
Health care: Factor your family’s age and health into consideration. How important is having nearby hospitals, doctors and dentists?
Neighbours: Talking to your prospective neighbours is a must, Bryan says. They’ll be able to give you the lowdown on water levels, lake conditions and the neighbourhood.
Timing: The prime time is the spring and the fall. The market slows down in the summer, but there are still deals to be found. For families, the benefit is that you can cottage hunt during your summer vacation.
365: “The misconception is that summer is a cottage thing,” Lynott says. Look at four-season options or examine the ability to have a cottage turned into a four-season place.
Hidden costs: Have extra money set aside, Scott warns. “It’s one thing to be able to afford (a cottage), it’s another thing to be able to maintain it.”
Walker cautions buyers not to underestimate annual maintenance costs — especially for older cottages. “The winter tends to take its toll and things will need to be repaired or replaced on a regular basis. Water pumps, water lines, decks, docks, windows and the roof are all expensive to fix or replace.”
But Bryan says proper inspections can mitigate these unknowns. Cottages, like anything, need upkeep. But a good inspector should be able to tell whether a roof needs imminent replacing or the wiring is a disaster.
Boaters’ pocketbooks face additional drains. Fuel costs, storage, docking and repairs can all add up, Walker says.
RENTING A COTTAGE
Last-minute summer searches: The best time to book great cottages is in the winter — especially for the peak periods in July and August, Walker says. If you’re just starting to look now, contact local real estate agents or cottager’s associations in the areas you’ve targeted, he suggests.
Research: Do the legwork so you’re not disappointed when your cottage doesn’t match expectations.
Ask questions: Walker has a few: Does the cottage have electricity, running water, drinking water and indoor plumbing? Are other essentials such as bedding, kitchen ware and recreational gear ( boats, lifejackets etc.) included? Is the cottage accessible by road or water?
Children: Ask about shoreline conditions. Is there a sandy beach or a deepwater drop off? “Is the cottage kid-proof?” Walker cautions to ask. “For example, are there railings around the deck or the loft? Is there poison ivy on the property?”
Pets: For starters, are pets allowed? Is there a fence or do pets have to be leashed? Is the area known for critters your canine doesn’t want to encounter? Is there a nearby veterinarian’s office?
Physical challenges: Ask about the slope of the property. “Is it a steep climb to the cabin from the dock?” Walker asks. “Some cottages have 50 or 60 steps.”
Safety: Does the rental have the required smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and contact numbers for local emergency services?
Price: “The more remote and rustic you get, the better the price,” Walker says. “Water-access properties that are off the grid are very private and generally quite affordable.”
In the summer months, most places ask for a one-week minimum. In the off season, typically you can rent by night in some places and by weekend in just about all. Expect to pay about $900 to $2,500 a week depending on location, rooms and amenities.
Timing: “If you can wait until the fall, off-season rentals can also be found for a great price. September is often the best month of the year to be at the lake,” Walker says.
RESOURCES
There are a wealth of websites that showcase Canadian cottages for sale or rent. Here are a few to get you started.