SHORELINE:
The summer was long and hot and has taken its toll on evaporated lake levels. If you wait until fall to see the shoreline of a property you’ve had your eye on, you’ll get a better idea of what the shoreline looks like when the water is at its lowest. You will also get an accurate look at weeds. In April no cottage has weeds; that changes very quickly as the warm weather hits.
FALL COLOURS:
With the leaves on the trees changing colour and falling, autumn is the optimal time to take a peek at how exposed a potential property is when the foliage isn’t there to protect it anymore. Look at it from the lake, look at it from the driveway, and look at it from the neighbors’ point of view to see how much privacy you’re really going to get throughout the year. Are someone else’s trees protecting you from prying eyes? Will you need to put in a privacy fence or plant a hedge? It’s good to have an idea of this type of investment before putting in that offer.
READY FOR THE SPRING SEASON:
Buying in the fall, means that you will be ready to fully enjoy the cottage season. You can spend the winter prepping, doing any renovations or repairs you want and re ready to kick back and enjoy all summer long.
LESS COMPETITION:
If you’ve been obsessively refreshing MLS all summer, but haven’t yet found your dream property, don’t despair. All your hard work will pay off in the end.
You’re educated at this point; Instead of rushing to buy something before the ice thaws, looking in the autumn means that you’re now in the position to take your time finding a property that suits your budget and lifestyle. And if you’ve been watching the market closely, you’ll also be the first to see adjustments in price.
SEASONS TURN:
If you’re looking for a cabin that’s going to be a four-season property, you need to see it in a non-summer season. That warm mid-July sunshine can make anything look good, but how does your potential dream cottage hold when faced with dark clouds and relentless drizzle? Does the driveway turn to mud? Can you feel the damp coming through the windows? Does the wind off the lake cut right through the walls? Spending some time in the house and walking the property perimeter in bad weather shows you what you’ll need to deal with.