Q&A

Q:  Is fall the best time to buy a cottage?

Q:  If there’s an existing road to the property or access to the shore and the current owners use it, should I assume I can too?

Q:  Should you get a cottage inspection before buying?

Q:  If you buy a property, do you automatically get the mineral rights?

Q:  The market value of cottages in my area seems to be going down. Would this be a good time to transfer ownership of the cottage to our kids, to reduce the capital gains tax?—Nicoletta Ivy, via e-mail

Q:  Last winter mice got into the insulation of our electric range. Now, the odour of urine is overwhelming. Is the stove a health hazard? How can we eliminate the smell? If we buy a new one, how do we keep this from happening again?—Susan and Bob...

Q:  Any licensed agent can sell cottage-country property—does it matter where the agent is from?

Q:  Are cottage areas in Ontario covered by 911 service?

Q:  I found this insect in the snow. What is it? —Julia Roy

Q:  What is the best way to dispose of ashes from the fireplace? —Ian Clark