Recreational Properties
How do I find properties outside of the city?
 A recreational property is your escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – a place to relax and enjoy nature with family and friends. Whether it is a chalet in the mountains, a cottage by the lake, or a villa by the ocean, Canadians can choose from some of the best recreational properties in the world. Let Lisa Tollis help you find the ideal getaway for you and your family. Call Lisa Today! at 905 574-4600 A Home Away From Home... Do you have a dream of owning a place outside of the city where you can escape, kick back and relax? If so, you're not alone. In fact, a recent Royal LePage Recreational Property Report found that in the next two years, there will be seven prospective cottage or recreational property  purchasers for every two owners that plan to sell. As demand continues to increase and average prices continue to rise, now more than ever you will need to be patient, establish a list of 'musts' and work with a Realtor who understands the recreational market, if you want your dreams to come true. To begin your search, target potential areas and consider a road-trip to visit your most coveted spots. Once you find your ideal location, narrow your search by establishing a list of priorities. Do you plan to use your recreational property for seasonal versus year-round use? Do you wish to build a new cottage or buy an existing one? What are your hobbies? Is proximity to hospitals, public transit or schools important? If you are near water, lakes can vary tremendously in terms of allowances for boating, fishing and swimming. In the winter, do you want to use both cross-country and downhill skiing facilities? With your priorities established, you will also be in a strong position to act fast if you need to. Popular sites are in demand. In fact, according to the Royal LePage report, only 17 per cent of current cottage owners claim that they will consider selling in the next two to three years. Buying a recreational property can be considerably more complex than a standard home purchase and it generally takes longer. There is considerably more time and travel involved. The effort, according to a growing number of Canadians, is more than worth it. Before you begin your search, give me a call. I can get you started down the right path toward your home away from home. If I cannot assist you directly in your purchase transaction, I can refer you to a quality Royal LePage Realtor in your desired area from our network of over 12,000 real estate professionals from coast to coast. | |
Recreational Property Report How can I learn more about the recreational property market?  The 2007 Royal LePage Recreational Property Report combines a poll of cottage/chalet owner and buyer attitudes with a market analysis of trends, activity and prices in recreational property markets in Canada. This year’s exciting report examines the high prices that Canadians are willing to pay for recreational properties in Canada. Among some of the most interesting findings: - Twenty-four per cent of Canadians planning to buy a recreational
- property are willing to spend more on their recreational property than on their primary residence.
- Market conditions unlikely to ease anytime soon as there will be seven prospective cottage/recreational property purchasers for every two cottage owners that plan to sell their property within the next three years.
- Seventy-eight per cent of Canadians who are likely or planning to buy in the next three years are under 49 years old.
- Properties on the waterfront, with a mature lot and large dock are the most coveted.
For further details on the recreational property market in your area, see the full reports below: What should I look for when viewing a recreational property? Recreational Guide To Inspecting Your Property
Protect yourself and your investment, and gain a little peace of mind by hiring a qualified home inspector before you buy. But, even before you hire a home inspector, there are warning signs to look for. Recreational properties are often unoccupied for several months of the year, so they are vulnerable to infestation, freezing pipes, mildew, vandalism, and theft. When viewing recreational property, take special note of potential problem areas: Security – An unoccupied cottage is an inviting target for burglars. Are there good locks on all outside doors and windows? Is there an alarm system?
Closing The Cottage
 As fall approaches and the cool weather and shorter days arrive, cottage owners will sadly anticipate the end of cottage season. For many, shutting down their summer sanctuary is a double dose of bad news - not only do lazy days on the dock disappear but they are quickly replaced with the labour required to close the cottage properly.
Fortunately, many cottage owners are beating the blues by celebrating the end of cottage season with a "let's make a good situation out of a bad one" attitude - a sentiment that has become as common in cottage country as Muskoka chairs and mosquito repellent. Many cottagers are inviting guests to celebrate in a "less is more" type of atmosphere during their last days of rural rest. Visitors are sitting on moving boxes and using candles for electricity as they congregate and reminisce about the "unusual amount of mosquitoes" and "Johnny's first swim". For many, this last gathering makes the impending move back to the city a little more bearable. It's also the perfect opportunity to swindle that neighbour into helping you budge the boat into the garage and the barbeque into the SUV - just two of many essential and equally annoying tasks to complete each autumn. Some imperative and tedious chores that can be completed without your neighbour's help include the draining of plumbing systems and shutting down the electricity. Ensuring that pipes are properly drained will avoid water freezing over, which can lead to flooding in the cottage. To properly drain the system, empty and clean all pipes, valves, tanks and pumps. When shutting off electricity, be sure to first turn off all major appliances as well as the water heater and electrical room heaters. When the time comes to re-open your cottage again, the start-up will be much smoother and safer. If you're a long-time cottage owner, you know that vermin will do as much as your in-laws to get an invitation to your cottage. For this reason, go beyond hiding food and blocking entrances. Try leaving mothballs or whole cloves as both can discourage unwelcome rodents. Rodents of another type that need to be discouraged from entering cottages in the off-season are thieves. The ideal tools to combat these seasonal stealers are alarm systems, which have become increasingly common in cottages. A more cost effective approach to security is keeping valuables, such as TV's, out of sight. There are also many companies that specialize in cottage protection that will send employees to your property weekly to ensure its safety. And while these chores may be monotonous - remember next summer is just around the corner! Exterior Signs of infestation – Check along the foundation, under eves, around windows, doors, vents, and chimneys for signs of animals or insects. Watch for small piles of sawdust, unsecured holes, nests, signs of chewing, and animal droppings. Roof – Look for loose or missing shingles. A sagging roof will mean a costly replacement. Decks and stairs – Check for rotten timber, missing nails, warping, and peeled paint. If the deck is listing or sagging it may not be safe. Dock – Look for signs of rot, missing nails, and warping. Are the floats and supports in good shape? Are swimming ladders, tie-ups, and other hardware firmly fixed? Trees and utility poles – Check for dead or leaning trees or unsecured utility poles that could be a hazard to you or the building. Windows and doors – Check the caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. Check for rot on frames and sills. Siding – Examine the siding for loose or missing planks. Look for peeling or bubbling paint. Driveway and access roads – Is the driveway full of potholes, puddles, or trenches? Is the access road private or publicly owned? Find out who is responsible for maintenance and if there are any special conditions concerning its use? Septic and water supply – Are the water pump, well, and pipes in good condition? Is there a sewage system or a septic tank or field? How old is the septic system? Interior General state of repair – Note the general state of the cottage. Is it clean and well kept? Walls in need of paint, loose banisters, stains, and a general state of disrepair may indicate there are other, bigger problems the owner has neglected to fix. Electrical – Check the fuse box for signs of water damage. Test light switches and outlets. Make sure appliances included in the sale are in good working order. Furnace – Check the condition. Turn on the heat and see how well it works (and how noisy it is). Water damage – Examine ceilings and walls for stains and bulges. Excessive mildew can be a sign of a leak or poor ventilation. Plumbing – Turn on all faucets to test water pressure and hot water. Flush toilets to ensure proper drainage. Examine the base of faucets, bathtubs, and under sinks for signs of water damage. Water quality – What is the source of the water? Is it reliable and consistent? Can you drink the water? Does it have any unpalatable odours? |