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Waterfront Living
Most people picture buying a cottage or a waterfront home in July, with the dock warm and the lake busy. I understand why. But some of the best waterfront viewings I do happen in November.
When the leaves are down, you see a property as it really is. You can see the shoreline, how close the neighbours are, and where the light falls in the afternoon. There’s no summer greenery to hide anything.
If a home feels good on a grey November day, it will feel wonderful in July.
What I look at
Here’s what I look at with my buyers at this time of year.
- The road
Is it a municipal road or a private one? Who ploughs it, and is there a yearly fee? A fire route that’s lovely in summer can be a different drive in January. I ask the sellers how they get in and out in winter, and I check what the listing says about road upkeep.
- Heat and water
How is the home heated, and what does it cost over a winter? Is the water from a lake system or a well, and is it set up for year-round use? Pipes, pumps and heat lines matter much more in a waterfront home than in town.
- The shoreline
Look at the water’s edge from the house and from the dock. Is it shallow or deep, weedy or sandy, sheltered or open to the wind? Fall is when you can see the shoreline clearly, and a good time to ask about dock permits and any shoreline work done over the years.
- Insurance and the extras
Waterfront and rural homes can take longer to insure. I suggest buyers call their insurer early, before an offer, especially for older homes, wood stoves or a long drive from the fire hall. It’s also worth asking about septic, the age of the roof, and internet. More of us work from home now, and a good connection can make or break a lake property.
- Settling in
Living in the Kawarthas year-round is different from a summer cottage. The quiet months are part of the charm. Small towns like Buckhorn and Lakefield come together in winter, with parades, markets and community dinners. Part of my job is helping people settle in after the keys change hands: who to call for snow clearing, the best spots for a coffee, and how to meet the neighbours.
Thinking about a move to the water?
If you’ve been thinking about a move to the water, don’t wait for spring to start looking. There are fewer buyers out now, sellers who list in the fall are often serious, and you’ll see the home in its plainest clothes.
I’m always happy to talk it through over coffee, with no pressure and no rush.
Your Move Is Personal. Your Experience Should Be Too.
Areas I serve
Peterborough, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Trent Lakes, Bridgenorth, Ennismore, Selwyn, Kawartha Lakes
