5 ways to a better cottage bargain

1. Choose a cottage on an island

Greyhound Island retreat
1980s 2-bedroom, 800 sq. ft. cabin on Rainy Lake. Finished in local pine, 3-piece bath, solar system, woodstove, deck, dock, and storage shed. $174,900

Waupoos Island wonder
12.7-acre island property featuring chapel, dormitory, and six 3-bedroom cottages. Zoned resort commercial. Could this be your family compound? $499,000

2. Choose a cottage on a river or canal, with lake access

Clyde River cottage
New 900 sq. ft. 2-bedroom on 100- by 100-foot lot. 100-foot swimmable frontage. Wide-plank interior and exterior walls, insulated, highway access, near Lanark Village. $229,900

Rosedale Canal cabin
3-season, 1-bedroom, circa-1866 log cabin and bunkie on wooded lot. Across from canal with immediate access to Balsam Lake from your docking space, a short walk away. $219,000

3. Choose a handyman’s special and do the work yourself

Rainy Lake original
Built in 1946, with much of its original charm. 1,080 sq. ft., 4-bedroom water-access cabin on 5 acres, with protected cove and waterfall outside your front door. $125,000

Frontenac fixer-upper
Old-fashioned 2-bedroom, 700 sq. ft. cottage on level lot on Bull Lake near Arden, Ont. Sandy beach, plus boathouse with second-floor guest area and deck. Needs updating. $159,900

4. Choose no buidling…or no land!

Whitestone Lake lot
1-acre, 153-foot waterfront lot, with extras: multiple decks, dock, cleared building site, driveway, and outhouse with composting toilet. $169,900

Parry Island leasehold
1,234 sq. ft., 3-bedroom, 2-bath Georgian Bay cottage overlooking protected bay on leased 0.69 acre lot. $225,000

5. Choose a three-season cottage on a four-season road

Clement Lake charmer
650 sq. ft., 3-season, 2-bedroom cottage with year-round access off dead-end municipal road. Under 1 acre, with lakeside dock and deck. 2-minute drive to Wilberforce Village. $189,900

Skootamatta Lake find
Small 3-season cottage with year-round access on privately maintained lane. 150 feet of shoreline, 1.4 acres. 1-bedroom main cabin with 2 bunkies, outdoor privy. $194,900

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