Cottage Buying in Muskoka? 3 Important Things to know
Are you Cottage Buying in Muskoka? When you are looking for a new cottage, you likely have a laundry list of items you want in your future abode. From “must haves” to “nice to have”s, we all have an idea of what we need. But did you know that cottage buying in Muskoka and Lake of Bays can come with its own set of considerations?
Here are three of the most important real estate deliberations to make when cottage buying in Muskoka and Lake of Bays.
Lake Size Matters
When buying a luxury home or cottage with waterfront, the size of the lake matters. Before you start your Muskoka cottage search, consider all the things you want to do at the cottage.
Do you spend your summer boating, tubing or water skiing? If so, look for a cottage on a bigger lake. Bigger lakes such as Lake of Bays, allow you to enjoy water activities out in the main areas of the lake where there is lots of space and you won’t tire of the waterscape.
But what if you want to come to the cottage and just chill? Your idea of cottage life is to listen to the sound of the loon call, to take the canoe out for a leisurely morning paddle or head out in a small fishing boat, cast your line and enjoy the tranquility of nature. A small lake is perfect for you. We have a good selection of small lake cottages in Lake of Bays, Huntsville and Muskoka.
Waterfront – Deep, Rocky, Shallow or Natural
Let me start off by saying there is no such thing as bad waterfront. Just like your chosen lake size, how you will use your cottage will determine what Muskoka waterfront will be most appealing to you.
Muskoka’s lakes have varied topography, from deep and lined with rock cliffs to sandy and shallow.
If boating is a key part of your summer enjoyment, look for a cottage with deeper water at the dock or a boathouse enabling you to easily dock your cruiser or ski boat without any concerns about running aground and damaging your boat or motor.
Parents of little ones wanting to play lakeside or learn to swim will welcome the warmer shallow waters.
For those who are naturalists, seeing the waterfowl, hearing the frogs and watching wildlife are the joys of having natural waterfront – away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Lake of Bays, Muskoka offers landscapes and waterfronts as varied as the many clients I help to find the cottage of their dreams.
Exposure
Sunrise, sunset or sun all day — exposure (meaning the direction your Muskoka cottage faces) can be a very important factor, depending on your preferences and how the cottage is utilized.
It is important to consider other surrounding structures like the boathouse and docks. You may want to enjoy your morning coffee on the dock in the sunshine, but would prefer to sit on your cottage deck with a glass of wine to watch the sunset.
It is possible to acquire multiple exposures on a point of land and outbuildings can be placed to take advantage of opposing exposures. The location of the house on the lot may not necessarily have an impact on your enjoyment of the boathouse and docks and vice versa.
Generally, cottages with South West exposure – all day sun and sunsets – come with higher price tags. This is not always the rule as the placement of the cottage on the lot, the surrounding rocks and trees, pitch of the roof, and the latitude also factor into the asking price.
Although a realtor may not be able to check all the “wants” off your list, he or she can help you find a cottage that fits your lifestyle. Here at Royal LePage Lake of Bays in Dwight, we’re here to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters of buying your Muskoka cottage.. Whether you’re a first time Muskoka cottager, or looking to list and love another property, call the waterfront sales experts at the Richardson Team for tips on how to get the most out of your cottage buying experience.
