5 Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a Cabin: A blog about the common mistakes people make when buying and cabin for a vacation home.
1. Don’t be afraid to look at older cabins. They can have more character, and often have more land surrounding them than newer cabins.
2. If you are looking at a cabin on a lake, don’t forget to ask about the water quality of the lake. If it is not drinkable without treatment, you will need to consider this cost when budgeting for your new home.
3. Does the cabin come with appliances? The seller may be willing to leave behind their refrigerator, washer/dryer or other appliances for an added price if you ask. Make sure that these appliances are working before you finalize the sale though!
4. What will you do with it? If you just plan to use it as a weekend getaway spot, then you may want to consider renting it out at other times throughout the year to help pay for maintenance and tax costs on the property.
5. What is included with the sale of this property? Is there furniture included? Does it come with outdoor equipment such as boats, snowmobiles or
My wife and I just purchased a cabin for our vacation home. We hope to winter in Florida and summer at the lake; a perfect retirement plan.
This is an exciting time for us, so I thought I would share our experience with others. Hopefully it will prevent you from making some of the mistakes that we made.
Remember these five things before buying a cabin:
1. Location, Location, Location!
An old real estate adage says that you can change just about everything but location. That is certainly true for a cabin. It is much easier to remodel a cabin than to move it. So make sure you get one in the right location.
You should think about what you want your cabin to be used for and where it will be used most often. Will this be your vacation home? A place where you can get away from it all? Make sure that your cabin isn’t too close to neighbors or other cabins if you want privacy while at the lake. If you are looking for a place where you can entertain lots of guests, then being close to other cabins may be important to you. Do you have children or grand-children who will visit frequently? If so, look for a cabin with lots of space and nearby amenities like
1. Be honest with yourself.
Before you start your search, it’s important to take a step back and answer a few questions. What are the reasons you want to buy a cabin? Will you use it as a vacation home or as a primary residence? Will you be using the cabin for an investment property? How often will you actually use the cabin?
2. Location is important!
While this may seem like a no-brainer, many people make the mistake of thinking that location isn’t important when buying a cabin. Depending on how often you plan on using the cabin and what your interests are will determine your exact location needs. For example, if you’re planning on using your cabin for hiking and mountain climbing, then being closer to the mountains would be ideal. If fishing is more what you have in mind, then being closer to water would be more ideal for your situation.
3. Do Your Homework!
Knowing what types of amenities are available in the area will help tremendously when deciding where to purchase your cabin. Researching things such as local grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and other attractions in the area will give you a better understanding of what types of outdoor activities are available in the area and make sure that these things are close
When you’re looking for a cabin, have a list of things you are looking for. Don’t buy the first one you see!
When you’re ready to buy, make sure the cabin fits most of your needs. You may never find one that has everything you want, but make sure it has most of the things.
Before closing on a cabin, go over it with a handyman and inspector to make sure all is well.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you do not understand something in the contract, ask! Do not sign anything you do not understand.
If you are buying a cabin on a lake or near water, check with the appropriate authority to see if there are fishing restrictions or seasonal closures.
You’re not the only one with a dream of owning your very own cabin. The idea of having a place where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life is an attractive one for many people, but before you jump into cabin ownership, there are some things you should know. Here are five mistakes that people commonly make when buying a cabin.
Trying to go it alone: If you’ve never purchased real estate before, it’s probably not a good idea to go it alone. At the very least, consider hiring a consultant who can help guide you through the process. Going in without any expert advice could end up costing you more than it would have cost to hire someone in the first place. Being too hasty: Don’t just buy the first cabin you find. Take your time, look at several different properties and get a sense of what’s available on the market right now. Being too timid: On the other hand, don’t wait too long or you might miss out on your dream cabin. It’s smart to be cautious when making such an important purchase, but if you see something you love and can afford, don’t wait around too long or someone else may snap it up from under your nose. Trying to save money by cutting corners
1. Make sure you can afford it
There are many costs that come along with buying a cabin that people don’t realize. For example, if the cabin is in a remote location then it will cost more to heat and cool your home, not to mention there will be higher maintenance costs. You should also expect to pay more for groceries since the nearest supermarket may be 60 miles away from your new home.
2. Know who you’re buying from
If you’re buying the cabin from a private seller, then it’s important to do all the research possible to make sure they are legitimate owners of the property and that they aren’t trying to sell you something that isn’t theirs. Even if you’re not buying directly from the owner, make sure that whoever you’re working with is reputable and transparent about what’s included in the sale.
3. Think about your needs
If you’re planning on using this as an escape from everyday life and a place to spend quality time with friends and family, then you might want to consider how much space is needed for this plan. While getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life may seem appealing at first, if no one else is going to be able to join you at this
1. Is the cabin within driving distance?
2. What are the neighbors like?
3. How does it affect your health?
4. What is the weather like?
5. Do you need a boat, or other watercrafts?
