A Guide to Buying Lakefront & Recreational Properties Around Regina, SK

While it’s true that summer tends to ‘arrive’ later than it used to, there’s no debating that it’s definitely arrived now and people from coast to coast are now basking in the warm weather (sometimes too warm, right Montreal?) and bright sunshine that summertime in Canada is renowned for.

These days more and more individuals are attracted to the idea of having their own private get-out-of-town residence where they can get away and enjoy summer in ways you just can’t when staying in town.

Saskatchewan’s capital city may not have the reputation that others in Canada do for being a vacationing hotspot, but it’s entirely fair to say that there are a good number of Regina recreational properties outside of the city. They offer both great value for prospective buyers and so much in the way of quality outdoor recreation opportunities.

Regina lakefront real estate is at the forefront of these properties, and if you don’t know much about what makes this area as appealing as it is then you’re encouraged to read on. Popular lakes like Last Mountain Lake, Pasqua Lake and Echo Lake are all popular summertime destinations, less than 2 hours north of Regina.

Here’s some advice to consider before deciding to purchase a vacation property.

1. Be Realistic with How Much Time You’ll Spend There

Making the determination that you can in fact afford a vacation home is often quite empowering, but before you rush headlong into the purchase you should sit down with your family and really assess just how much time you’ll be able to spend there each summer.

A Regina vacation home will make a lot of sense for people residing anywhere in Saskatchewan or even in nearby areas of Southern Alberta and Manitoba, but no matter where you are you need to know that you’re going to be able to spend a sufficient amount of time there to justify making the investment.

2. Financing Secured?

This one might seem a little rudimentary, but it’s a fact that a good many would-be owners of vacation properties tend to put the cart before the horse, as they say. By that I mean that they get all fired up and excited at the thought of having this wonderful summer vacationing spot and start making plans for it but then come to the realization they’re not going to be able to afford it.

Sure, if you’re paying cash then by all means buy your property and start enjoying it this summer. But otherwise, be absolutely certain you’re able to secure the financing you need. The good news is that a Regina vacation home is almost always going to be less pricey than ones in more renowned areas of the country.

3. Know the Current Condition of the Home

We all know that images on the Internet should never be relied on to know of the condition of a home, and that includes vacation homes. This applies to Regina lakefront real estate as much as it does to lakeside properties anywhere in the country. Factors related to this environment that will affect the structures include moisture in the air, weather patterns created by the lake and fluctuations in water levels.

Building materials, particularly on the exterior to the home, can be affected by the unique conditions created by the lake. Fortunately, Saskatchewan has less in the way of humidity than other areas of the country year round and as such Regina recreational properties are often safer choices when taking all of this into consideration.

4. Be 100% Aware of ALL Additional Costs

First and foremost with this consideration is property taxes. You’ll need to have a very concrete understanding of them before you agree to buy the property. Hhowever, a Regina vacation home will offer much less in the way of property taxes as compared to ones in other areas of the province.

Next is taking maintenance costs into consideration. Many lakefront vacation homes will be accessible via a private road from the main entryways into the region, and these ‘driveways’ will often be private-access dirt roads that stretch for long distances. You and any other owners of the property or other ones nearby that share the access way will need to pay to maintain and repair it, and that’s just one example of a cost that can often be way more prohibitive than owners originally expected. Same goes for private docks on the lake; eventually you will need to spend a good bit of money maintaining them.

At the same time, do understand that Regina lakefront real estate is no more expensive to maintain than anywhere else and again the dry heat and cold in opposite seasons works to your advantage here.

5. Know your Lake To-Be!

This might be something of a lesser consideration, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless and especially if you’re considering Regina recreational properties on the water. There’s a whole host of items to consider here, but some of the less obvious ones are:

• Is flood insurance required for homes on the lake given the water-level movements?
• Are there local noise level ordinances?
• Does the lake have any seasonal problems with duckweed blooms? (very relevant for boaters)
• Are jet skis still allowed when the lake freezes?

Interested in purchasing a Regina vacation home? Please contact the Tourney Group online or call 306-789-1700 for any and all inquiries regarding Regina recreational properties and real estate in southern Saskatchewan.