What are the main things to look for when searching for the perfect Cabin, Cottage or Camp on Lake of the Woods?
I wrote this blog to help outline a few key points that I always look at when showing my clients a potential cottage. Keeping your eyes open for these can help avoid any potential issues and find the best possible options for you and your family.
What is the foundation style? Poured concrete, post on pad, slab?
Does it look like it's been levelled or does it need re-levelling?
If so, your Realtor® can recommend a contractor or a home inspector so that you can get a professional opinion.
Where the property and cottage itself is located, does it face north, south, east or west?
Will you be positioned for the best sunrises or sunsets?
Will your home get too much or not enough light exposure?
What exactly are you going to be buying?
- Is the shoreline allowance owned?
- Are there any encroachments or easements?
- Is the road maintained year-round?
Make sure to ask your Realtor® to look into any and all information you may need for a property.
Replacing a sewage system can be costly, be sure to know as much as possible.
Does the property have: city sewage, a septic tank with a field, a composting toilet with a grey water pit or just a holding tank?
Also, ask your Realtor® what the age of the sewage system is and if there are any documents available on the system?
In a normal year (definitely not this one), where does the water line sit?
Will your cottage be the ideal vacation home for your family, with a beach, a deep rocky shoreline or a marshland?
What type of dock does the property have?
Is it drilled pipe, screw piles, crib dock, or just a floating dock? Is there storage near the dock or power at the shoreline? Will it be convenient to charge batteries for your boats, or to operate the lifts?
Need more info on dock types? Check out this post from cottagelife.com
If you want to know more or have any specific questions about looking for cottages in Kenora and on Lake of the woods, please reach out.
This post from Realtor.ca discusses in more detail the intricacies of owning a cottage and taking care of your investment: article here
I'll give you a brief description of each of the main areas that we usually categorize Kenora into.
Followed by some bullet point key features.
Now a part of the newly amalgamated City of Kenora, Keewatin is situated on the northern shore of Lake of the Woods. It is the first town you’ll encounter as you travel eastbound from Manitoba into Ontario. There are boat launches to both LOTW and Winnipeg Rivers in this area. Keewatin is full of its own unique local restaurants and amenities.
A neighbourhood that is surrounded by amenities such as the Recreation Centre (tennis court, gym, pool, hockey rink, beach V-ball), elementary schools, churches, Kenora Harbourfront, the dog park, Anishinabe Park, the baseball fields and is conveniently located near downtown Kenora and includes properties close to the water's edge.
Lake of the Woods offers both recreational properties, residential, and condominium properties all located on the breathtaking Lotw. The lake and the surrounding areas have over 14,000 islands and more than 105,000 km's of shoreline – more shoreline than Lake Superior.
Remote but within driving distance, this area gives access to wilderness areas, nature and ecological pursuits while still offering a bit of civilization. An outdoor enthusiast will enjoy fishing, hiking, interpretive trails, golf (close to Beauty Bay Golf Course) or just reading a book in the sun on the dock while still being approximately 15 minutes drive to Kenora.
Rabbit Lake, is a Kenora neighbourhood that is conveniently located close to or on Rabbit Lake. This area has access to many ideal locations, like Garrow park (which has a large beach, rowing facilities, playgrounds, pickle ball courts and access to Rabbit lake walking trails) and the sportsplex. The Donkirk, Jaffary Melick and Rabbit Lake areas are close to both elementary and high schools and are approximately 6 minutes to downtown Kenora and offer several types of homes.
Located approximately 8 minutes from downtown Kenora and about 3-5 minutes to elementary and high schools and in some cases, students can walk to the neighbourhood schools. As the name describes, the Kenora Airport is located off this road, as well as the ski hill.
Many roads branch off of Valley Drive, linking many subdivisions and neighbourhoods. Valley Drive is a sought-after area, located close to schools, convenience stores and within walking distance to downtown.
Norman is located on the West side of Kenora and is an approximately 5 minutes car ride to downtown Kenora and 5 minutes to Keewatin. Norman is made up of mostly older homes, of different styles. The midpoint between Kenora and Keewatin, this location has access to Norman Beach, the Rotary Splash Park, local restaurants and Dairy Queen too!
The north end is within walking distance to both High Schools and Elementary schools and is approximately a 3-minute drive to downtown Kenora. This area is comprised of a few other neighbourhoods of similar diverse family homes.
Something beautiful is always just around the corner.
It's up to you, to decide on what type of beauty you want to see every day.
Do you want to dive a bit more in-depth? Contact me today and we can discuss your options.
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases you will make in your life.
Using a Realtor® will help you put your best foot forward, but you and you alone will have to deal with the home that you’ve purchased.
It is up to you to make do, with all the quirks and details that come with your new property. In order to make the best possible choice, you want to make sure that you know as much as possible about a home before you buy.
Need more info? Get in contact and we can talk about your next steps.
Often in Northwestern Ontario, the weather gets warm and no one tells the snow, it sticks around unwelcome. The large accumulation of snow that fell this year is going to drag out the melt. While the snow will go in time, we're more than likely in for a long spring, so let's use the time to get ready.
Do you know how to do a basic personal home inspection? Are you ready for the inevitable results of the spring melt? What's on your spring cleaning list?
Here are a few reminders to help us to get in the warm weather state of mind. Let's bring the shine and fresh air back to our beautiful homes and dig ourselves out of this winter.
Winter is hard, especially on our homes. Do a walk around your property and inspect the exterior to check for any structural changes.
Take a good look at your:
Roof
Chimney
Exterior Walls
Foundation
Windows
Look for warping, leaning or any other abnormalities that may have come from this year's snow accumulation. By keeping an eye on the Exteriors of our homes we can pinpoint any changes before they become a problem.
First and foremost if your home has a basement make sure you have your number one best friend, a sump pump.
When the snow starts melting it will be in force, the amount of water that will come from this year's snow accumulation keeps me up at night.
In fact, if you have one sump pump go and get a second just to be on the safe side.
We will all breathe a little easier after a little spring cleaning.
Let's get ready for an amazing summer to come.
While most people remember the obvious when it comes to this step, tiding up the glass of your windows is just the first part. Make sure you give your window dressings a good going-over as well. Drapes, curtains, etc aired out or washed if possible, and blinds wiped down and sanitized. You and your family have been breathing and living in a closed-in space for the last half a year. Next focus on the tracks and the ledges of your windows, wipe those down and disinfect them. Make sure you start spring off with the freshest of air coming into your home.
One of the nastiest parts of our life is the rubbish that we create, tiding up how you dispose of your daily waste will be oh so satisfying. It's warmer and everything that has frozen to the side of the bins is warming up as well. An easy trick is to reach for some healthy alternatives, use vinegar and dish soap in some water, use this mixture to scrub away and sanitize the mess.
While this is the last stop for the stuff exiting your home, you have to visit regularly, make sure it's not a horrifying experience.
You've been cooking inside a closed space all winter long. That filter is going to be holding on to every meal you've steamed, sautéed or burnt and the oil build-up in the filters can be extreme.
Your best bet is to fully remove the filters and let them soak in a solution to help dissolve that oil. Try soaking it in a solution of 2 cups vinegar and some washing liquid for a few hours. Wipe down the hood itself with a similar solution, mix vinegar, dish soap and water in a bucket or bowl clean the inner portion of the hood as well. Dry and replace the filter and enjoy the much cleaner air in your kitchen.
This is just a reminder as the seasons change, the humidity can affect battery durability. It is recommended to test your alarms monthly as well. To test both of these all you'll need to do is press and/or hold the test button on the alarm, refer to your specific model and manual to know if it's working properly.
If you haven't already, clear the snow off of your roof, this will prevent ice build-up on your eaves and on your shingles. Dig out your garden gloves and a ladder. We want to get any leaves, debris and chunks of ice out of your eavestrough. I like to flush out the downspout with warm water as well. We want to make sure any leftover leaves and twigs from last autumn aren't going to hinder the spring melt.
Dust, debris, animal toys and the elusive sock. Take the cover off and give the duct a good inspection, you never know what could have ended up in there this winter. A blocked dryer vent can also be an easily avoided fire hazard.
Same as your air return vents, your bigger appliances are catchalls for dust and debris. Pull your fridge out from the wall and vacuum its coils on the backside, and make sure to check underneath at the front, that will be where all the debris has more than likely been swept under and therefore accumulated.
As the snow melts it will compress and in turn, will get more difficult to move. Shovel a trench around your home and push the snow away from your foundations. You want to direct the water away from your basement as much as possible.
Grills are a frequent location where animals like to hide for the winter so make sure you do a quick once-over before you start up the burners. Depending on your Grill or Barbecue your cleaning process will be a little different. Light it up; Start by burning off any leftover food particles or grime that has gathered on your grill. After a while, turn the grill off, disconnect your gas and give the grates a quick scrape with your bbq brush, then let the BBQ cool. Next, fill a bucket with some warm water and dish soap and go over the exterior, take the knobs off and soak them, wash out the grease tray and wipe down the greasy interior. Once everything is cleaned and back in place, I like to turn the grill back on and temper the grate and burn off any residue.
CENTURY 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd. Brokerage
INFO & SERVICES
CENTURY 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd. Brokerage
213 Main Street South, Kenora, ON P9N1T3
(807) 468-3747
INFO & SERVICES
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