Recreational Property Inspector’s Top 3 Considerations

In this blog, a recreational property inspector highlights 3 considerations that every buyer should honestly ask of themselves to see if this real estate is a good fit for them. Some suggestions are also provided.

Don’t buy that vacation cabin or cottage unless you can separate the facts from fiction. Test your recreational real estate savvy with these 3 questions about purchase and ownership. 

1. What Inspection? It’s a waste of money! Absolutely do not do one if you want to walk into the purchase with what you, the agent and friends bring to the table. Don’t spoil this special moment.
2. Tim-the-tool-man not! Not being handy or independent can reduce you to always being reliant on others for help. The recreational property needs a technical mind-set to open it up at the beginning of the season, every time you unlock and lock the door during the season and at the end-of-season when you winterize it. This can easily put a damper on that sought after carefree break.
3. I didn’t sign up for a working holiday! Did you buy it for a DIY hobby, as in fixing, painting and repairing? You are a lucky person if you don’t mind the work. Otherwise run away! Look at the property carefully. Is it something that will require labour or hard time to keep it up to snuff? Seasonal limited occupancy and long periods of dormancy do affect the building. Remember coastal properties next to the ocean are affected by salt air. Exposed wood surfaces degrade in harsh sunlight. Unhampered winds lift roof shingles. Trees can overtake the property with shade and fall hazards. Landscaping can degrade over time. 

Still going for it? Then read on…

• An inspection report exposes the hard issues that you would rather not think about.  It requires a ‘seasoned’ inspector to be able to issue a balanced report.
• Make a YouTube video for how to open and close-up the cottage. You and and the family can be instant stars and be as serious or as funny as you want to be. It’s better than a written checklist as there is a visual identification for every valve, pump, switch, lock, inverter, converter and widget along with the commentary. 
• If not by you then by someone. Make sure you know when to maintain, repair or replace. You cannot get away or ignore this, unless you don’t mind a ‘lot value only’ label applied to the listing when it comes time to sell.