Seasonal homes are known by many different names, and the names often vary depending upon location. You may hear them called camps, cottages, beach houses, cabins, or chalets. Many are located near the water, but sometimes they are secluded in the woods or in the mountains. No matter what we name them, these properties call to us and remind us of the carefree holidays of our youth. Seasonal homes are the root of fond memories that include days on a beach and in the water, and evenings by a campfire, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and eating s’mores.

Nonetheless, buying a vacation home is not for the faint of heart. It is important to do your research before deciding to make an investment. Read on for some considerations when searching for the perfect cottage.

Properties to Match Your Lifestyle

Are you longing for quiet walks on the beach or is boating and aquatic sport more your thing? Maybe you’re a hiker or a mountain biker and you want to spend your down time out on the trail. The point is that every area has its unique attributes, and you should know what they are before you visit properties in those areas. I recommend that you work with a Realtor庐 who is knowledgeable and experienced in your area of interest. Your Realtor庐 should provide you with local information to make sure that it makes sense for you, your family, and your lifestyle.

A word to the wise: if your desire is to live by the water, make sure the property you purchase is not located in a flood zone!

Water Access and Systems

There are two additional items to consider with every vacation home: drinking water and wastewater. If the property is not located in a built-up area, you will need to explore alternatives to municipal water.

There are many ways to bring potable water to your vacation property. You can draw from a lake or river, or have a drilled, dug, bored, or sand point well. There are also many types of purification systems and treatments, including UV filters, that can make your drinking water safe. For a simple solution, some folks just bring in their water in large containers.

Wastewater can mean an outhouse, a holding tank, grey water systems, or septic systems. Know what types of system you are getting with your purchase and have them inspected before you buy.

Seasonal Schedules and Services

Seasonal cottages are usually opened in the spring and closed in the fall. Ask the sellers to go through their routine with you or ask them to give you their contractor’s contact information. This will make learning and keeping up with your cottage maintenance schedule easier.

We also recommend that you ask for a list of all the local service providers the sellers have used in the past. Keep it handy in preparation for any repairs or replacements that may arise after you take ownership.

Sense of Community

Many clients said that they have a deeper sense of community with their cottage neighbours than they do at home. Personally, I have witnessed weddings on the beach between cottage owners鈥� children, fundraisers for local hospitals, and much more. Perhaps the secret to connecting is the fact that everyone is there for the same purpose: to unwind, relax, and enjoy the environment and themselves.

Availability

When is the best time to buy a cottage? People are more sentimentally attached to their vacation home than their primary residence, resulting in wanting 鈥渙ne last summer鈥� before they sell. For this reason, you may see an increase in cottages on the market in August and into the fall.

Concluding Thoughts

Take your time and have a look at what is available regardless of the season.  Once you make the leap, enjoy the cottage experience as often as possible (weather permitting)! Be ready for the fun next summer!

About the Author: Grace Kidd is the Broker of Record for 皇冠体育app On The Bay Inc., Brokerage and specializes in residential and . She is heavily involved in the Midland, Penetanguishene, and Southern Georgian Bay communities.  When she isn鈥檛 working on her real estate business, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling the world.

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Wasaga Beach, a resort town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, is the latest addition to the 皇冠体育app International family. Adding to offices in Midland, Tiny, and Wyevale, Broker/Owner Grace Kidd believes that Wasaga Beach is a key business location.

鈥淥ur brokerage will not only serve the real estate needs of Wasaga Beach and the surrounding community, but it will expose our brand to the many tourists who visit from other regions,鈥� Kidd says.

Tourism is recognized as a major industry in the town, which attracts over one million visitors every year according to the . 鈥淥ur quality of life and safe, friendly community has attracted a steady stream of new residents and seasonal dwellers over the years. We are proud of our community and delighted to share it with our many visitors throughout the year,鈥� comments Mayor Brian Smith.

皇冠体育app On the Bay Wasaga Beach will be led by Managing Broker , formerly a broker at RE/MAX. Pratt brings 25 years of experience as a real estate professional, as well as an intimate knowledge of the area as a Wasaga Beach resident.

鈥淚 look forward to supporting the success of our Executives and their clients,鈥� shares Pratt.

The new office currently has six Executives and will serve Balm Beach, Midland, Penetanguishene, Wyevale and Wasaga Beach. The office specializes in residential, commercial and vacation properties, including luxury waterfront properties.

鈥淥ur housing market is the hottest it鈥檚 ever been from the standpoint of market tightness,鈥� says , president of the Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS庐. 鈥�2015 was a record year for sales, and 2016 could be even stronger, provided sales aren鈥檛 crimped by a shortage of properties for sale,鈥� he adds.

According to , Wasaga Beach has a population of 17,500 people. reports that the median price of a home in Wasaga Beach is $339,900, which is above average when compared to other towns in Ontario.

鈥淲e look forward to expanding our footprint into the important residential, commercial and agricultural areas of Simcoe County,鈥� concludes Scott Gilmour, president of 皇冠体育app Regional Inc.

皇冠体育app on the Bay Wasaga Beach is located at 998 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach. Call 705-352-220 or email JimPratt@RealtyExecutives.com for more information.

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