How to Buy Your First Cottage (Part One)

It's coming. Yes, really, summer is coming.

For many Canadians, the idyllic summer isn't just warm sunny days, its also days spent relaxing at a cottage, cabin or summer house.

Wouldn't summer be even better if all you had to do was decide on which bathing suit to put on as you hang out on your own dock or the deck of your summer retreat?

Last year, an article in the Toronto Sun reported a steady increase in cottage sales in 78 per cent of recreational areas across Canada according to REMAX.

With a buoyant economy, early indicators predict good sales for the upcoming season. For those who want to make the next step, what should be considered to buy a cottage?Purchasing property to be used as a summer vacation home is exciting and emotional, as much as it is a considered financial acquisition.

In part one of buying a cottage, consider choosing a vacant piece of land. Ignore the listings for that cute bungalow or the modern A frame - look at the listings for land.

According to The Cottage Ownership Guide by Douglas Hunter, there are six tips to know when looking for the ideal place for your summer dreams to become reality.

Here's a list of considerations for looking for a place to build:

- assess if the lot is "finished", whether it is located on an assumed public road and can access water, electricity, sewage and land-line phone service.

- if any of these services isn't available, determine which utility will be available and how much it will cost to make these available

- if the services aren't available, figure out if you a/ want to live off the grid and b/ the costs of living without these services

- even if you want to build the cottage yourself, get quotes from local contractors to understand the costs of construction in a rural community - there are still many building codes that are applicable

- know what permits will be needed for building and where to get more information in regards to property taxes

- draw up a budget and understand the project management of building a cottage - how much costs can be attributed for contractor, labour, materials and timing