On the drive home, they were already making plans.

The bunkie for guests. A garage next spring. An addition when the family needed more room.

In their minds, it was coming together. On paper, there was more to find out.

It’s natural to look at a property and imagine the possibilities. Before those possibilities become reasons to buy, Muskoka real estate broker Melissa Bradbury recommends confirming what buyers can count on.

Every property comes with its own questions.

These three assumptions are worth questioning early.

1. “If it’s already there, it must have been approved.”

A separate apartment. A waterfront bunkie. A cottage advertised with rental income. Their existence, and even years of use, doesn’t confirm they’re allowed.

Is the apartment a permitted dwelling unit?

Can the bunkie accommodate overnight guests?

Do current bylaws allow short-term rental in this area?

If an attractive feature is selling you on the property, confirm you can use it as planned.

2. “I’ve done the math.”

The mortgage. The taxes. Beyond the obvious upkeep and utilities, some costs are easier to overlook.

What hasn’t made it into the calculations yet?

Private road maintenance, snow removal and grading.

Crown land lease fees.

Cottage association fees.

Potential rental payments on the air conditioner or furnace.

Would your plans involve purchasing the shore road allowance?

Do the current taxes reflect any recent improvements?

The question is simple: What financial obligations will come with the keys?

3. “I’ll just add another bathroom.”

There may be space for a garage. The cottage may look easy to expand. Neither confirms that the work will be permitted.

Zoning, setbacks, servicing capacity and property restrictions can affect what’s possible. Even a seemingly simple change, such as adding a bathroom or a bedroom, could require a septic upgrade that wasn’t in the budget.

Ask specific questions. Speak with the municipality, consult an independent planner where needed, and have a lawyer review relevant title matters.

If a future addition is essential to making the property work for you and your family, investigate before committing.

A home or cottage is a purchase people put considerable thought, effort and savings into.

Asking a few more questions at the outset helps protect that investment, and the plans that made it feel right in the first place.

Know someone planning a move? Share this with them.

What they check before buying can matter for years to come. These three assumptions are a starting point. The property, the location and their plans will determine what else deserves attention.

Good advice is worth getting early.

Whether buying or selling is months away or already underway, a conversation now can help you prepare, understand your options and decide what comes next.

Trusted by HGTV’s Scott McGillivray, with over 100 five-star Google reviews and over a decade of experience, Melissa Bradbury and her team bring local knowledge and practical advice to your next move.

Call 705-646-5300 or visit perylekeye.ca. Share what you’re considering. They’ll help you work through the questions.

Follow @perylekeye on on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for insider tips, market updates, and a closer look at Muskoka’s most remarkable properties.

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