Things to Consider Before Buying A Vacation Home Near Edmonton

2020 is definitely going to be a year we will all remember forever. A year that our kids or grandkids may even read about in history class.

But if this year has taught us anything it’s the value of family time, to slow down and enjoy the little things in life and take it a little easier on ourselves when things are out of whack.

If you’re currently living the big city life, then maybe the pandemic even has you considering buying a vacation home near Edmonton. A place where you can slow down, enjoy family time and be safe from the potential health threats that come with big city living. 

Alberta is home to so many stunning places that make the perfect location for a cabin, cottage or full on vacation dream home.

Places where you can step out onto the porch and be a mere few steps away from the waters edge. Places where you hear nothing but the wind and animals in the trees. Places where you don’t need your mask, hand sanitizer every 3 minutes and don’t run the risk of being too close to others in the grocery store lineup.

Sounds like a dream doesn’t it? Well, with the help of a great realtor it doesn’t just have to be a dream. 

But before you sign on the dotted line and start planning out your weekends for the next several years, there are some things to consider before buying a vacation home. 

Is Lake Life For You?

A vacation home doesn’t necessarily mean “lakeside”.

For many people it’s not an option, they need to be on the water. But for others, maybe a lakeside home or cabin isn’t quite what they are looking for.

If you know you want to be on the lake, then locations like Bonnyville, Alberta (nestled in Alberta’s Lakeland region) might be the perfect place to start the search for your vacation spot.

The Lakeland is home to some truly stunning little spots that are nestled in the trees and make it seem like you’re worlds away from the city (but it’s really only a few hours drive).

Moose Lake, Crane Lake, Lac Sante, Garner Lake, Floating Stone Lake, Vincent Lake and Muriel Lake are all peaceful bodies of water, surrounded by cabins, cottages and larger homes.

They all welcome boating, fishing (ice fishing), swimming and tons of other lake activities. Any vacationer who loves the water would be more than pleased with a spot on one of these lakes.

Lakeside vacation spot not your ideal place? Bonnyville, St. Paul and their surrounding areas are also home to plenty of vacation spots away from the water. 

How Far Are You Willing To Drive?

Have you ever had such a long drawn out vacation that you needed a vacation when you got back? Too many hours in the car can make your perfect home away from home seem not worth it.

The ideal vacation spot is somewhere you can escape to for even just the weekend and still feel like you had enough time away.

Skip the hours and hours in the car and find a vacation home near Edmonton. A place close to home like Bonnyville and surrounding area is the PERFECT place to escape the city. 

What Size Lot Will You Need?

Much like the choice to live on a lake will vary from person to person, the size of the lot will vary as well.

Before buying a vacation home, you need to consider who else might visit and what you might bring along.

Do you own a large camping trailer or boat? Do you expect friends and family to come visit and bring their boats or campers? Not having the proper parking and storage space could pose a big issue down the road.

Closely consider what sized lot you’ll need and look for one that meets those needs. Changing the size of your land is not something you can do later on, so be sure to ask your realtor about lot size. 

Pick Your Realtor’s Brain

Whether or not you choose to purchase lakeside property, you will need to consider several things that seem small and insignificant, but really make all the difference in owning a little piece of heaven or a huge headache.

Unfortunately, most lakeside or country homes don’t come with luxuries like city water and city sewage and many are not winterized or ready for 4 season living. 

When looking for the perfect vacation home near Edmonton, be sure to ask as many questions as you can regarding these topics and consider all the answers carefully. Ask you real estate agent: 

• Does it have a well or a cistern? 
• Does it have an up to date septic tank? What is the cost to have it emptied?
• Is the home on the property ready for 4 season living?
• Does it have a furnace or fireplace for heat?
• If it’s not livable all year, what work does it need to make it so?
• If it’s on the lake, make sure to ask about water level history. 
• How is the cell phone reception in this location? 
• How far is the drive to the nearest gas station and grocery store?

Once you’ve asked all the hard questions, it’s up to your realtor to provide the answers. If they are unsure right off hand, be sure they get you the answers before it comes time to make any final decisions.

Owning a vacation home can cause you a lot of trouble if you don’t know what you’re getting into. Doing some research and asking questions can help you avoid all of that so owning a place a little off grid doesn’t become more than you bargained for.

When we think of buying a vacation home, we often think that we need to be millionaires and it’s not something the average person can do, but this is far from the truth.

A vacation home can be a tiny 1 bedroom cottage in the trees or an empty private lot where the family can come and set up their trailers for the summer. And if you are in the market for a grand vacation home, Bonnyville and the surrounding area has those too. 

Whatever your needs/wants, whatever your budget, the CENTURY 21 Poirier team in Bonnyville or St.Paul can help you find the perfect place to dodge city life for the weekend and recharge.