Decks

Installing a deck at your cottage in the Kawarthas will give you the largest return on your investment. Decks provide cottagers with more living and entertaining space during the warmer months and they connect people with the outdoors.

Low-maintenance

People buy Kawartha cottages because they are looking for a place to escape weekday routines and to-do lists, establish a different set of priorities, recharge their batteries, connect with nature, and create memories with family and friends. Cottages and yards that give the impression of minimal upkeep and maintenance help would-be buyers imagine these properties in the Kawarthas as getaways where the demands on their time would be limited and where they could realize the simpler way of life they associate with a cottage. Low-maintenance gardens and lawns, fuss-free interiors and child-friendly flooring reassure would-be buyers that cottages will not place unreasonable demands on their time.

A neutral exterior that complements the surroundings

When it’s time to paint or outfit your cottage in the Kawarthas with new cedar shakes or other siding, opt for a neutral colour that relates to your property’s surroundings. You may want to reside your cottage with periwinkle aluminum, but if you’re thinking of putting your cottage up for sale in the not-too-distant future, opt for a natural colour and material that links with the wooded surroundings or the environment.

Four-season cottage

Baby-boomers and those who are starting to contemplate retirement have helped to fuel demand for fully winterized cottages in the Kawarthas as they want to at least have the option of retiring to the cottage at some point. Solid insulation and heated water lines appeal to this market.

Spill-over sleeping accommodation

An extra bedroom or two or a bunkie give would-be buyers the confidence they will be able to welcome and accommodate last-minute or additional guests in the Kawarthas. Bunkies are also ideal retreats for older children and teenagers.

Stairs down to the lake

If the property is steep to the lake, install steps (and hand rails if possible) to ensure that walking from the cottage down to the lake and back is a comfortable experience for everyone. A steep and rugged pathway will probably turn off older buyers.

Screened-in porches

A screened-in porch is a much better investment than a glassed-in sunroom. Its simplicity is also more appealing to potential buyers because it fosters a connection with the outdoors and the delightful sounds of summer in the Kawarthas. A screened-in porch also delivers atmosphere, fresh air, and sultry breezes while protecting people from mosquitos and rain showers. On the other hand, a glassed-in sunroom, a much more expensive prospect, doesn’t connect people with the outdoors in the same way. It can also become intolerably warm on a summer afternoon.

Septic system

When cottagers discover they need to install a new septic system it can be a shock and severe financial blow. A new septic system can cost $15,000. And a septic system problem, which can render the cottage unusable until it is fixed, always seems to surface at the worst time, such as the cusp of a long weekend in the summer when you’re expecting guests. That’s why interested buyers are always happy to hear that a cottage for sale has a newer septic system. The fewer potential problems with big price tags to worry about, the better.

Photo courtesy of Trix and Friends No Alterations Made - Creative Commons