What To Look For When Buying A Cottage Home

22nd Sep 2011

Whether you plan to buy a cottage home as your primary or secondary home, there are a few things to keep in mind. Many people are drawn to cottage homes in part because they tend to be smaller, more manageable spaces than the McMansions commonly built today. Newly built cottages are often designed with the modern lifestyle in mind. However, if you plan to buy an older cottage home you should pay careful attention to the layout and whether or not it will suit the way you live. If not, would it be prohibitively expensive to modify the layout?

Another concern with the older cottage home, like any existing home, is its condition. Most people know to check areas such as roofing, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems. But did you know that many older cottage homes were built without insulation? If you plan to use your cottage home throughout the year, this is an important area to check.

One final thing to check is whether or not the cottage of your dreams comes with the land it sits on. It may sound crazy, but in some areas older cottage communities are still “ground rent” communities which means that you buy the house but have to pay a (usually nominal) rent to the owner of the ground the cottage sits upon. This may or may not bother you, but it is always best to consult a legal professional regarding the ramifications of an arrangement of this type.The information doesn-t stop now. Keep looking: Coveted Crib: An Unconventional French Cottage

Comments Off