There's nothing I like more than taking a road trip up to my cottage on the lake. It's peaceful, cool and quiet, and a place I love to relax in. My cottage was built nearly forty years ago and has undergone many renovations. We've replaced the roof and spent many a summer laboriously staining the exterior. It's far from being suited to everyday life, but I love it because in its own way, it's like home. Owning a cottage is a privilege that I have never taken for granted.
To own a cottage is the dream of many North Americans, so much so that cottages, and the land that they sit on, are prime real estate. Everyone wants a home-away-from-home - and why not? No one would say no to a dip in a cool lake and a nap on an airy screened porch. Imagine if you could do it all the time!
Do you want to own your own cottage? If you do, you're probably thinking about how to go about buying that second home. You don't have to be independently wealthy to enjoy the luxury of a cottage!
- Consider your budget. Plan carefully for not only the initial costs of buying a cottage, but also other costs like taxes, maintenance and utilities.
- Consider your tax situation. Check with an accountant or tax advisor before purchasing a cottage to see how your taxes will be affected.
- Balance your vacation budget. How much do you spend on hotels, food, and traveling costs now? How much do you estimate you will spend on owning a cottage? What’s cheaper for your family at this time?
- Consider the type of cottage and the location that you want. Do you want your own cottage or do you want a time-share? Where do you want your cottage to be? Some locations are more expensive than others, so consideration is needed.
More and more people want to own or build a cottage, and they offset the costs by renting the space to individuals, groups or families. Cottages are the new luxury hotel – anyone from a recent grad to a newlywed can find a cottage package that will suit their needs. If you’re worried about financing your new cottage, then tapping into this lucrative rental market may be for you.
Are you ready to start kicking back at your brand-new cottage? Why not pay a visit to your bank? Chatting with a financial expert is the first step to begin your search for that perfect vacation home, and you’ll make sure that you’ve got the dough to pay for it all.
Good luck with your search – I’ll see you on the lake!
Brandon Langlois enjoys watching the sun set across the lake. When he isn't too 'busy' putting his feet up, he writes for homeplaninfo.com – an informative website where readers can
find and compare home plans online, peruse
cottage plans and more.
Posted on October 30, 2006 04:10 |
Home Improvement
