Buying A Cottage
This morning, I found myself looking at a poster in my Dwight, Lake of Bays, Real Estate office. The poster, titled “Life’s Little Instructions,” was a gift from a seller I had the privilege of working with. Easily understood and uplifting, the poster lists simple snippets or “words of wisdom” for living life well. As I look at the words on the poster it occurs to me that buyers may find simple instructions helpful as they tread the waters of buying a Muskoka cottage. The following is my “Little List of Instructions for Buying a Cottage”… especially in Muskoka.
Life’s Little Instructions For Buying a Cottage
Call the Best Waterfront Real Estate Agent You Know * Don’t use a part timer to buy a cottage (Waiters wait tables, Plumbers fix sinks, coffee shop clerks serve coffee – Realtors SELL real estate)* Breathe * Get ready for the long weekend traffic * Don’t buy a boat before you buy the cottage* Tell your realtor the truth* Mice live in cottage country * Bears don’t eat cottagers (usually) * The kids will want to come to the cottage * The kids will bring their friends * Blackflies only last for a month * Breathe * Your waterfront realtor knows the lake – trust her * Wear comfortable shoes * You will get emotional * Look at the stars * Take your shoes off and walk in the water * Sit on the dock * Eat chocolate * Go for a boat ride with your realtor * Never underestimate your agent, she will find the right cottage * Rent a cabin for the weekend to really explore * Come for a second look and bring your Mom * You can drink filtered lake water * Put a generator in the budget * You can always paint the front door red after you buy the cottage * Breathe * The kids will love it * It is even more beautiful in the winter * Don’t be afraid to say you don’t like it * Don’t be afraid to say you love it * Don’t be put off by the colours – it’s just paint * Make sure the water is on before using the facilities * Take pictures * No question is a silly one * The deer are lovely but they will eat your Hostas * Laugh* Have fun looking * Give the new cottage a name * Build memories * Enjoy yourself *Listen to the stillness of nature * Invite your friends * Give gratitude*