How to Buy (or Rent) a Cabin “Up North”
| By Juanita Hickerson |
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Everyone knows that a Minnesota lake cabin in summer can be a beautiful thing. If you are very lucky: you own one. Or better yet, maybe you have a really good friend who owns one, is incredibly generous and is quite good-looking.
If you have a hankering to enjoy your own cabin, we have some thoughts for you to consider.
To rent or to buy?
A question only you can answer, with pros and cons to both. Renting is a great option to try cabin living and to investigate different lake areas. Before you rent, do your homework. If you are really lucky, you could rent from someone you know, learning the intricacies of the cabin/lake area you are visiting. If not, many websites can help you find just the right place. To ensure a pleasant experience, communicate all expectations up front in writing (regarding deposits, conditions, etc). Renters should leave the place exactly as they found it. Other tips for renters: bring your own beach towels, take your food home with you and use any recreational items at your own risk.
If you do choose to buy, what do you want from the experience/what is your long-term goal? Are you looking for: a family heirloom or a gathering spot for you and your oft-visiting friends to enjoy? And very importantly, do you plan to enjoy the place year-round? Winter access is a concern for year-round use, and some cabins are restricted in access during the spring and fall, says Dick Phelps, a Bemidji real estate agent. Lastly, do you want to live there someday? You may not know all of the answers today. They may change over time, but if you consider them upfront, you can determine your personal lake lifestyle needs.
When Mike and Deidre Lubarski built their cabin in the Bemidji area seven years ago, they knew what they were looking for in terms of lake lifestyle. The Lubarskis are all about the lake: Mike and friends fish summer and winter there and the entire family loves to swim, canoe, water ski and ice skate. Deidre says that finding a clean, clear lake with welcoming shoreline was very important to them; “If you are all about the view, you could choose a cabin further from shore and on higher ground.” Since Deidre and Mike love to entertain, they also chose a site and design that is visitor-friendly.
For those looking to rent, buy, or sell lakeshore sites, the waterfront real estate specialists at lakehomes.com provide a great comprehensive resource. Owners Dan and Sandy Anderson provide localized information on many lake communities and Dan’s informative blog on all things cabin-related. He was kind enough to allow us to share the following considerations adapted from his blog:
1. Boating: What kind of boating are you into...or do you want boats around at all?
Depending on your preference here, the size and depth of the lake and type of shoreline will be very important. Lakes smaller than 200 acres: provide fewer skiing opportunities. Lakes about 400 acres: provide enough area for a twenty minute pontoon cruise and a good variety of fishing holes. Lakes about 1,000 acres: provide a wide variety of shoreline types.
Make sure you have enough depth during low water years to get your boat in and out of the dock easily; if you plan to water-ski from the dock or shoreline, you’ll need at least four feet of water at the end of the dock.
2. Building New or Remodeling Old Cabins: Know the territory.
Just because it is “casual” and “rustic” doesn’t mean that you have free reign. There are very strict local codes and restrictions regarding easements (that control the end use and modification of property), septic systems (which can become quite an expense), building footprints, existing trees, etc. Many lakes have very stringent requirements in effort to keep the view and the character of the area either intact or sustainable; they may also be protected wetland areas, with even more restrictions. Don’t assume. Find out exactly what is and is not possible on the property from local authorities.
3. Sand: To Beach or Not to Beach?
Most prospective buyers want a sandy shoreline. Some of this sand does extend a few feet onto the land, but rarely more than ten or twenty feet. More likely, you will see a somewhat eroded sod shoreline, dropping off a few feet onto some sand under the water. Sometimes buyers see this as an opportunity to dig out even more of their yard for a place to dump more sand–but this can lead to more erosion. If you are willing to live without a lot of sand up on the shore, you will find a pretty good variety of properties available.
If you have a hankering to enjoy your own cabin, we have some thoughts for you to consider.
To rent or to buy?
A question only you can answer, with pros and cons to both. Renting is a great option to try cabin living and to investigate different lake areas. Before you rent, do your homework. If you are really lucky, you could rent from someone you know, learning the intricacies of the cabin/lake area you are visiting. If not, many websites can help you find just the right place. To ensure a pleasant experience, communicate all expectations up front in writing (regarding deposits, conditions, etc). Renters should leave the place exactly as they found it. Other tips for renters: bring your own beach towels, take your food home with you and use any recreational items at your own risk.
If you do choose to buy, what do you want from the experience/what is your long-term goal? Are you looking for: a family heirloom or a gathering spot for you and your oft-visiting friends to enjoy? And very importantly, do you plan to enjoy the place year-round? Winter access is a concern for year-round use, and some cabins are restricted in access during the spring and fall, says Dick Phelps, a Bemidji real estate agent. Lastly, do you want to live there someday? You may not know all of the answers today. They may change over time, but if you consider them upfront, you can determine your personal lake lifestyle needs.
When Mike and Deidre Lubarski built their cabin in the Bemidji area seven years ago, they knew what they were looking for in terms of lake lifestyle. The Lubarskis are all about the lake: Mike and friends fish summer and winter there and the entire family loves to swim, canoe, water ski and ice skate. Deidre says that finding a clean, clear lake with welcoming shoreline was very important to them; “If you are all about the view, you could choose a cabin further from shore and on higher ground.” Since Deidre and Mike love to entertain, they also chose a site and design that is visitor-friendly.
For those looking to rent, buy, or sell lakeshore sites, the waterfront real estate specialists at lakehomes.com provide a great comprehensive resource. Owners Dan and Sandy Anderson provide localized information on many lake communities and Dan’s informative blog on all things cabin-related. He was kind enough to allow us to share the following considerations adapted from his blog:
1. Boating: What kind of boating are you into...or do you want boats around at all?
Depending on your preference here, the size and depth of the lake and type of shoreline will be very important. Lakes smaller than 200 acres: provide fewer skiing opportunities. Lakes about 400 acres: provide enough area for a twenty minute pontoon cruise and a good variety of fishing holes. Lakes about 1,000 acres: provide a wide variety of shoreline types.
Make sure you have enough depth during low water years to get your boat in and out of the dock easily; if you plan to water-ski from the dock or shoreline, you’ll need at least four feet of water at the end of the dock.
2. Building New or Remodeling Old Cabins: Know the territory.
Just because it is “casual” and “rustic” doesn’t mean that you have free reign. There are very strict local codes and restrictions regarding easements (that control the end use and modification of property), septic systems (which can become quite an expense), building footprints, existing trees, etc. Many lakes have very stringent requirements in effort to keep the view and the character of the area either intact or sustainable; they may also be protected wetland areas, with even more restrictions. Don’t assume. Find out exactly what is and is not possible on the property from local authorities.
3. Sand: To Beach or Not to Beach?
Most prospective buyers want a sandy shoreline. Some of this sand does extend a few feet onto the land, but rarely more than ten or twenty feet. More likely, you will see a somewhat eroded sod shoreline, dropping off a few feet onto some sand under the water. Sometimes buyers see this as an opportunity to dig out even more of their yard for a place to dump more sand–but this can lead to more erosion. If you are willing to live without a lot of sand up on the shore, you will find a pretty good variety of properties available.
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