Every year at this time, as the days get warmer and longer and outdoor life starts to beckon, many Ottawa-area families start thinking about finally buying that dream cottage as their personal retreat from the city. Often those buyers are couples with young children, who look forward to relaxed days of swimming, boating and hiking, simply enjoying the beauty of nature and creating treasured family memories. Family time! In recent years, more and more retirees and those approaching... [read more]

COVID-19 is driving some curious real estate trends for sure. With many of us working from home the view on where to live has changed for sure: Purchasers are less concerned about purchasing something near their workplace and are looking further afield.   Given the current restrictions on travel, everyone seems to want to buy a cottage these days. GOOD NEWS: arranging a mortgage on a cottage or vacant land / new construction is not too different from buying your principal... [read more]

Thinking of purchasing a summer cottage or a waterfront property you plan to use as a year-round second home? Before looking for a place in a favorite region, remember that the high-speed internet connection we take for granted in Ottawa is not available everywhere. Internet service is better in some rural regions than others. As a Realtor, I’ve met city residents who were shocked to discover there are areas in rural Ontario where cell phones don’t work, and internet service... [read more]