Whether you're looking for a small, secluded cottage to retreat to nature or a second home near a city, buying a cottage is an important decision.

The choice of location

When choosing the location of your cottage, you must ensure that it meets your needs and expectations. Since you will be going back and forth, you need to calculate the travel time and costs related to the distance between the targeted area and your primary residence. Will you choose a place where you will go regularly or a few times a year? Also, if you plan to telecommute from there, make sure you have access to Wi-Fi.

Another important aspect is access to water. Whether it's a lake or a river, inquire about your access to swimming or a dock to moor a boat. Additionally, is the water supply provided by the city's aqueduct, or will you need to plan for the costs of digging a well? If you are near a lake, you may also be able to treat the lake water.

Related costs

Before making the decision to buy a cottage, we invite you to carefully evaluate your budget, taking into account all related costs. Of course, mortgages are to be expected in addition to transfer taxes upon arrival. Generally, the sale of a cottage should not be considered a real estate investment

More often than not, the cottage becomes the retirement home. Furthermore, capital gains are taxable on a secondary property. It is therefore less advantageous to buy to resell than with your primary residence.

A second property

Finally, buying a cottage means planning everything in duplicate. Furniture, maintenance, electricity, and toilet paper all need to be purchased for both properties. Once you've weighed the pros and cons, don't forget that the cottage is a family or friend gathering place. To do this, it may be a good idea to plan space on your property or land to accommodate family and friends during long weekends or the summer season.