Things to Consider When Purchasing a Waterfront Property in Muskoka
... And Why a local Realtor is a smart move
Close your eyes and picture this… the warm sun on your face, a cool breeze gently blowing around you, and the only sound in the background is the trickle of water hitting the shoreline.
Now, doesn’t that sound like paradise? Welcome to life in Muskoka... pure paradise.
Little in life can match the tranquility and peace of being on the water—but when it comes to purchasing your own piece of heaven in a Muskoka waterfront property, there is a unique set of considerations to keep in mind.
The Lake
Before you even look at the cottage itself, consider the lake and the area you want to be in. In Muskoka and the Muskoka Lakes there are a lot of properties and many lakes to choose from.
The size of the lake matters, we can help to determine what lakes will suit your needs. If you like to go boating, tubing, and water-skiing you will want to be on a larger lake that is better suited to this type of high speed activity. Or if fishing, canoeing and a peaceful ride on a SUP are more your pace, you may want to consider a smaller lake.
With so many different types of lakes and rivers in the Muskoka area, a local Realtor is always your best option to guide you to the perfect waterfront location for your needs.
The Waterfront
Muskoka has a wide variety of landscapes and topography, and when it comes to lakefront you will see it can be deep, shallow, rocky, sandy, lush or in most cases a combination of all of these.
If you have young children in the family, a shallow or sandy area at the water is always preferable. However if you have a motor boat you should consider where the boat will be docked and if the depth of the water will be suitable.
Speaking of docking a boat… another thing to consider is the dock! Is there an existing dock and does it fit your needs. If not, you’ll need your local Realtor to review with you the guidelines from the local Municipality and Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure that you can put in a new dock with the restrictions and bylaws that are in place for your specific location.
Another important but often overlooked factor for waterfront cottages and homes is the exposure - the direction the cottage faces. Generally, cottages with South West exposure are the most sought after because they tend to have all day sun and sunsets in view over the lake.
You want your waterfront area to be your ‘happy place’ so it is important to ensure that everything is perfect before making the big decision to buy.
Why a Local Realtor is a Smart Move
Buying a waterfront cottage can be a very rewarding experience and a life-long decision. That’s why using a knowledgeable, experienced, local agent is important.
As local Realtors here in Muskoka, Dolf and I have seen our fair-share of waterfront properties. From our experience, the above considerations are only a starting point when you are looking to invest in a waterfront home or cottage. We haven’t even covered the cottage yet!
Let us help you with a successful and stress-free journey towards living life in Muskoka on your very own slice of paradise.
-Dolf and Anzie Witlox
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