"Crunching the numbers, working out a budget, deciding how far you are willing to drive, and crafting a list of cottage needs are activities driven by logic. However, taking a buyer to visit a specific cottage property is mostly about how the property makes the buyer feel. Ideally, a buyer will cultivate an emotional connection with the property and the waterfront," explains Copithorne.

Indeed, buying a recreational property is an emotional decision. Buying a cottage in the Kawarthas is about buying a piece of property. Although the buildings are relevant, they can usually be modified or changed entirely – unlike the waterfront and the landscape that surround the cottage. The quality and character of the property and the waterfront are more important than the buildings that sit on the land. "When you visit a cottage as a potential buyer it is important to spend a lot of time outside, touring the property" says Kevin Copithorne.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you love the view from the cottage deck?
• Do you identify with the landscape and the terrain?
• Do you like the trees on the property?
• Sit near the water and imagine yourself, your family, and friends spending time at the property. Would you enjoy swimming or boating here? Is this where you would want to be?
• Does the waterfront property speak to you?

"If you don’t love the property or the waterfront, then there’s no point venturing into the cottage," he adds. After all, you can’t change the waterfront, the swimming conditions, the view from the cottage, the exposure, the terrain or the dimensions of the property.

"But if the waterfront property moves you and you can imagine spending summers at this property with your family, try to look beyond the current appearance of the cottage and envision the possibilities. This is where a buyer’s imagination comes into play," says Kevin Copithorne.

As long as the property is within your price range and you have room in your budget, you can renovate or even replace the cottage that sits on the property. Although renovating is an additional cost, if you have the financial cushion you could plan to overhaul the appearance of a dated cottage. Renovating in stages over time and tackling some of the renovation projects on your own, if you have the ability, are effective ways to manage these costs. If the cottage is rundown, you could probably construct a new one, although you may not be able to rebuild as close to the lake. If the cottage is too small, perhaps you could put on an addition, however, your septic tank will have to be large enough to handle it. (You’ll have to check with the municipal law enforcement office within the bylaw department at the City of Kawartha Lakes to learn about the municipal bylaws and ensure you satisfy them.)

A cottage's less significant negative features – which can be readily changed - distract buyers all the time. Burnt orange carpeting can be removed and dark, dated pine paneling can be painted.

The bottom line?

You really have to love the waterfront and the property. But if you’re not enthusiastic about the cottage it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. You just have to try to imagine the possibilities. Excellent waterfront with a ho-hum cottage is always better than mediocre waterfront with a done-up cottage. "Always think of the long-term when you buy a waterfront cottage," says Kevin Copithorne.

Photo courtesy of kristonium No Alterations Made - Creative Commons