All about vacation rental property, money, economics…

For those who have seasonal cottage rentals, or only keep their cottages open for short stretches into the spring and summer months, this is a really good article to help in itemizing your “should do’s” and “don’t forget’s”.  You know who you are…..Ontarians and Quebecois who really cannot do the trek back and forth in the snow ... Read More »

So cottage trips for our family around the Christmas season are not possible, at least not for a long time.  We have a lot of boys in hockey and there is ALWAYS a hockey tournament during the holidays.  Historically we’ve always rented the cottage out, and the last few years we’ve hosted the same family ... Read More »

Do you ever get that automated call from Hydro One in Ontario Cottage Country about a planned power outage?  What is a planned power outage?  What is it for and what does it do? Well, for starters, unlike storm and climatic events that cause damage to the hydro system within your area, and are random, ... Read More »

There are quite a few US visitors coming into Canada every year, especially students and families who often take road trips while they are on vacation from their studies and jobs.  Many cottage owners are finding it very lucrative to assist these US visitors in creating a cottage appeal that can meet the needs of ... Read More »

Do you ever wonder how often the cottage you are renting is being cleaned?  Have you walked in and within that first few minutes smelled the area and thought that very question?  Have you worried over things such as germs, bacteria and bugs and such?  My guests are asking me on occasion about why I ... Read More »

You could do everything right, from your rental agreements, to your market research but at the end of the rental week if your zoning is residential you could be in a lot of trouble….if a neighbour complains. Every township is different; this is part of where my own issues lie.  It shouldn’t be that way.  Provincially all ... Read More »

When you rent a cottage from a private owner, how do you pay?  It’s a valid question that even after all the years I have been doing this type of business, does not have a simply answer.  A few of my neighbours had approached me last summer when they decided to enter the cottage rental ... Read More »

Do you know what your costs are?  Does it frustrate you seeing other owners advertise rates that you know from your own end are unfair or outrageous?  I’m sometimes asked to justify my rates and how I came by the pricing I established for the various time periods:  3 day weekends, 5 days or a ... Read More »

Please do not get offended or misunderstand my editorial message.  I am in sales and love to negotiate with the best bargain hunters on the planet.  Heck I’m a Bargain Hunter myself!  When my hubby and I travel around Canada and stay in various spots, we usually rent a cottage to accommodate our family.  Hotels ... Read More »

I recently read a cottage rentals want ad on the internet that inspired me to write this article.  I’ll paraphrase it more or less, “Looking for a private cottage rental in the Muskokas…family of 5 is looking to rent a 3 bedroom cottage, privately owned, with satellite, cable TV, wifi, PS3 or Xbox 360, heated ... Read More »