Can You Try a Cottage Before You Buy It?

Buying a cottage is undoubtedly exciting, but it’s also a major commitment. Far too often, buyers leap at a cottage they think they’ll love, only to find out it’s not the best fit later on.

Ontario’s cottage market is incredibly vast, and no two regions are the same. As a result, it can be hard to immerse yourself in what a particular cottage and the surrounding community have to offer without staying there and experiencing it firsthand.

As market leaders in Cottage Country, we set out to solve this by creating our unique Try Before You Buy program, which, as the name suggests, allows buyers to really get a feel for the cottage lifestyle before they commit to a purchase. So how does it work? Let’s jump in.

Ready to explore the Ontario cottage market? Book a consultation with our team.

Our Try Before You Buy Program

Cottage Vacation’s Try Before You Buy program allows you to test the waters (literally) before deciding which path is right for you. Here’s how it works:

Cottage Vacations has an extensive collection of rentals that we manage. You’ll find incredible cottages spanning the most scenic pockets of Cottage Country, including Muskoka, Parry Sound, Georgian Bay, the Bruce Peninsula, Grey County and beyond.

If you rent one of these properties and then decide to buy your dream cottage within two years, we will reimburse you with up to 100% of the rental accommodation cost!* This offer applies even if the purchased property is not the one you rented.

Rather than committing to a cottage before truly living in it, you get the chance to discover how the property and neighbourhood suit your family’s needs. As part of the program, you can rent a cottage for a day, the weekend, or a full week – it’s up to you!

*Terms and conditions apply.

Finding the Right Cottage When You’ve Never Owned One

As a first time cottage buyer, it’s important to understand that Cottage Country isn’t a single area or region. Instead, it stretches across hundreds (if not thousands) of square kilometres, and is home to countless individual communities and municipalities – each with something unique to offer.

Just like buying a house, choosing the right neighbourhood for your family is absolutely essential to finding the right cottage. However, really getting a feel for a particular cottage community can be difficult without actually staying there. That’s where our Try Before You Buy program comes in.

Since the program applies to ANY cottage purchased within two years of renting a Cottage Vacations property, you get to discover which aspects of the lifestyle you like most, and try out various communities to determine if they’re the right match for you. Once you know what you love (or don’t love) about a certain area, you’re able to be more intentional when you buy down the line.

More Than Just a Lifestyle

Renting a cottage before you buy it is a great way to enjoy the unique experiences it can provide. However, there’s more to purchasing a cottage than just lifestyle.

One major advantage of cottage ownership in Ontario is the potential for tapping into the short-term rental market (STR). So, if you’re thinking about buying a cottage, it’s worth considering the perks of STRs as you explore your options. Working with a local rental management company like Cottage Vacations is a great way to generate income to offset the costs of cottage ownership.

There are countless properties on the market, but some will be better suited to renters than others. For instance, while you may be searching for a secluded place to disconnect, rental guests will want easy access to nearby amenities, fast wi-fi, and other conveniences. Plus, you’ll also need to consider the ever-changing bylaws and regulations of owning and operating an STR cottage.

Moving Up as an Existing Cottage Owner

Our Try Before You Buy program isn’t just for first-time buyers – it’s also an excellent option for current owners who want to sell their cottage and upgrade to a new property that better suits their needs. If you’re in this boat, renting before you buy gives you an extra layer of assurance that you’re choosing the right cottage for you and your family.

Start Your Journey Today

If you’re feeling the call of Cottage Country, there’s no time like the present to start your buying journey. The best part? You can do it risk-free with our Try Before You Buy program.

With any big investment, it can be tough knowing where to start when buying a cottage. As experts in Ontario’s Cottage Country and vacation home market, we’re here to help!

Browse Cottages For Rent in Ontario

If you’re curious about what Cottage Country has to offer and are ready to rent or buy one of our incredible properties, you can start exploring our featured listings.

Making Sense of the Market

From a real estate perspective, cottages are unique. Instead of a practical house in the city, you’re buying a scenic retreat where your days will look and feel different from how they do back home.

With that in mind, if you’ve never experienced or owned a cottage before, navigating the market can be challenging. That’s where we can help. As experts in Cottage Country real estate, we can help you find properties that match your needs and budget. Simply reach out to our team, and we’ll help you start your journey.

Your Link to Cottage Country

Whether you’re searching for the perfect backdrop to your summer holidays, a refined, stress-free investment venture, or opportunities to leverage your existing cottage as an income-generation tool, Cottage Vacations Real Estate is a dedicated partner in your success.