After all, you won’t find out whether the cottage you plan to buy is right next to the lake’s party house by visiting on a Tuesday morning off season. You’re more likely to make this discovery on a weekend or better yet on a Saturday evening in the summer. You may also learn your would-be neighbour’s frequent weekend trips by float plane compromise the quiet tranquility you expect at a cottage. Visiting the cottage you’re eyeing at a prime recreational time will also give you a sense of the volume and nature of passing boat traffic. Indeed, heavy boat traffic near the cottage’s shoreline may make swimming uncomfortable or affect your use of canoes or paddle boats. Or perhaps you’ll discover the noise generated by all of the high-speed boats that zoom by on a summer weekend isn’t your cup of tea. Cast a glance at the docks of nearby cottages to take inventory of noisy, high-performance water toys you may find distasteful. Also watch out for a large number of lounge chairs on the property, conveniently and permanently set out for the summer use of what most would consider a crowd.

Ask questions and listen carefully

Learn about issues or brewing problems that could affect your enjoyment or peace and quiet at the cottage by talking to cottagers and year-round residents in the area. Indeed, sound seems to be amplified when it travels over water. Perhaps they can tell you about a cottage that hosts rowdy late-night parties or a rock quarry gearing up to start operations.

Obtain a copy of the minutes of a recent association meeting for cottagers on the lake

There’s a good chance the cottage you’re interested in is on a lake with a cottage association for seasonal and permanent residents. There may also be a road association for the stretch of road where your desired cottage is located. You can learn a lot about the lake and issues that affect it or could compromise your quality of life on the lake in the future by reading the minutes of a recent meeting of the area’s cottagers’ association. For example, you may learn about a troubling development proposal or a mounting algae problem on the lake.

Learn more by renting

One way to find out more about the area where you’re thinking of buying a cottage is to rent there for a weekend or even a week. This is a great way to learn more about the lake and its swimming conditions, as well as nearby towns and amenities.

Travel the lake by boat

You can learn a lot about the lake by traveling its boundaries by boat. This is a good way to gain a sense of the lake’s character and its boating culture. You can study boat traffic and take in the variety of recreational boats moored at private docks. In today’s world of sensory and technological overload, the cottage can be a soothing antidote. Simply do your homework ahead of the purchase to eliminate surprises.