Nothing is more Minnesotan than going up north to the cabin. If you’ve made the decision to invest in a cabin, you’ve made the best decision of your life! Okay, we realize we are a little biased, but we love lake country.
All kidding aside, it is important to ask yourself the following questions to understand what exactly you want before buying a vacation place.
Where do you want to vacation?
Do you want to be on a lake or river? Do you want to be close to town or in the country?
Another important factor is travel time. If this is a cabin for your family to gather, consider where family members will be coming from and what a comfortable travel distance is for you. If you plan to take short weekend trips there, you want to make sure travel time doesn’t interfere with your plans.
How much cabin can you afford?
Knowing your budget is key to a good cabin search experience and can help you avoid disappointments and disagreements. If you’re making a purchase decision with a spouse or significant other, make sure you are both on the same page when it comes to the budget. Having a set budget is very helpful for your realtor as well.
If you need assistance, speak with a financial advisor about your options.
What kind of cabin do you want?
The word “cabin” can refer to a variety of destinations. In Minnesota, a cabin can be one room, or a luxury lake home with all the amenities of home. Narrow your search by determining what style vacation home you’re looking for. Consider size and number of guests that will be staying on a regular basis. Also look at what exterior style you like. A few popular options include A-frame, log cabin, modular (prefabricated) home and camper/trailer.
The more flexible you are with some of these details, the more options you’ll have during your search, of course!
What features and amenities are important to you?
Write a list of features and amenities that are most important. In fact, it might be helpful to make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. This can be a variety of things including the following:
- Views (sunrise, sunset, lake view, etc.)
- Scenery
- Size of property
- Deck/patio/outdoor space
- Sandy beach, swimming area
- Dock
- Garage
- Lake size and lake features (is it good for fishing?)
- Fixer-upper or move in ready
Remember, the more must-haves you have, the more narrow your search, so try to keep an open mind!
If you have more questions about buying a cabin or the Brainerd Lakes area, feel free to reach out to us at 218-820-7355.