Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, about buying a cottage in the Peterborough area.
When purchasing a waterfront home or cottage, due to the rural element of the property, it will likely have some form of well and or septic system. You will come across things such as community wells, which are maintained by the township, but for the most part your property will likely have its own systems in place.
Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes lake system is unique with a lot of their lakes being a part of the Trent Severn Waterway, allowing the residents to be able to travel freely along 386km through rivers, lakes, lock systems and canals. To see a full map of the Trent Severn Waterway click here!
Peterborough and The Kawarthas also has a ton of awesome water access only (WAO) properties, which means they are on islands which you can only access by boat. This could alter how you use your property during the off season, so you'll want to do some research on a few key things. Check out our insight on Buying A Waterfront Property In The Winter in Peterborough & The Kawarthas for additional information.
before purchasing on the water, it’s important to be aware of the different restrictions or by-laws the body of water may have. These are different rules and regulations townships implement to keep the community clean and safe, and they’re different in every township. The governing body that regulates the waterways in terms of by-laws, motor rules, and accessibility, is Conservation Ontario. Depending on the location you’re looking in, you can call your local Conservation Authority and ask them for all of the information on that body of water.
Depending on what you plan on using your waterfront for, depth of waterfront and bottom are two main factors in determining what's best for you. Something deeper would allow more flexibility when it comes to choosing a boat, and with a hard rock filled bottom would ensure there is less seaweed which is also ideal for swimming. If you’re an avid angler you may be looking for something with more weeds off the dock to make fishing convenient.
Searching for a cottage or waterfront property in the winter months can definitely be done, but you'll want to make sure your Realtor has lots of knowledge on the local bodies of water. Ensuring that your property wants and needs are met, and that you're being protected within your investment are top priority.