Finding the perfect cottage is now as complicated as buying an urban home. Beyond seeking out your ideal physical setting and all the nearby amenities that are must-haves for you, here are a few essentials to add to your "my perfect cottage" list:
Location variations: The cottage or summer home has different names in different parts of the country, but it has typically been found in popular cottage-country locations a few hours from an urban centre. With over-development and higher prices in established recreational areas, new more rural areas are opening up and even small towns like Ontario's Creemore have become the summer destination for city folk.
Condos as cottage: Condos have arrived in many recreational areas, with more on the way. Condos can also turn city living into resort-style accommodation with roof gardens, pools, spas, exercise centres and locales that place residents on golf courses, at the waterfront or high above it all, so it's no longer distance that makes an ideal get-away.
Not all or nothing: Fractional or shared ownership offers either a way to afford what is just out of reach financially or a way to use money wisely if you only have a few weeks off each summer. Why pay year-round for a cottage that you can only visit a few short weeks or hurried weekends each summer? Explore this option and you may find you'll get more in the way of amenities and pay less in the long run. Many resort projects also offer access to comparable resorts around the world.
Solar security: If sitting in the sun matters, how much risk is there that neighbours will block your rays? With condos and vertical renovations becoming more popular, blocking other cottagers' sunshine or views is bound to happen. How secure are your privacy, silence, views and everything else?
Internet access: The federal government recently announced about C$76 million in funding to improve internet access through 52 projects in rural Canada. Don't kid yourself—or your kids—that you want to get away from it all at the cottage. Mobile computing, especially the Blackberry-iPhone revolution, has made online the only place to find out about everything. That need does not end for most people seeking out a summer haven. If you intent to work or at least stay in touch with the office, internet access is a must to resolve. Employers favour the electronic leash, so getting online can be part of getting away for cottagers.
Medical access: If the area has a hospital, what medical services does it offer, particularly to seasonal residents? Governments are still slicing and dicing hospitals, so don't be surprised to discover the local hospital has no emergency room or operates one for limited hours. Hospitals and clinics are increasingly narrowing the scope of medical treatments and going mono—one human system, medical procedure or type of patient. It may be what's not available locally that determines where your choice lies.
Water quality: No longer a given, potable or drinkable water is becoming a bonus. With bottled water under the gun, sorting out what drinking and showering water will cost is a genuine financial consideration for where to buy.
Garbage detail: Garbage removal is becoming more expensive everywhere. Recycling efforts differ locally so check with local municipalities for details. Also, find out about proposed future land-fill and sewage dump sites. They're always in the works, so check to be sure you don't end up with an unwanted neighbour.
Electricity costs: Brown-outs and black-outs are more common outside urban areas. Solar power may offer viable alternatives, especially if you can sell excess energy. Self-sufficiency is the ideal, but not always practical. Year-round residents can offer great suggestions on your choices.
Help wanted: Who's going to work in the local shops, restaurants, services and other businesses you count on to fully enjoy your country dream? Labour shortages are stressful for many urban businesses and the cost of transportation in rural areas just adds to the challenge of finding great employees, service people and professionals.
Succession planning: What's the potential for year-round living? That may be far from your thoughts now, but expanding to a full season residence can add value and interest. If you can't, why not? How insurmountable are those obstacles? What are trends in the outlying areas? What is happening with public transportation? What physical barriers are there on the property that must be overcome for mobility problems that may arise or the addition of small children?
How perfect do you want this cottage to be? Prioritize your criteria so you know your absolute must-haves and how to compromise the other criteria without compromising your enjoyment.
Article published on Realty Times
Written by PJ Wade
June 1, 2010
Thinking about Buying or Selling?
Call Alvin's Team Today! 877-651-7810
Or visit our website: www.LivingLakeTahoe.com
No comments:
Post a Comment