Shopping for a Country House

I had no desire to own a vacation property of my own on the day I first visited Jill Kantelberg’s country house.  After all, I work full time, I have two busy children and an active social life, and I love city living.  For the life of me, I could not imagine wanting to run back and forth between two homes like so many of my friends and clients do.

Although these weekend escapes, in places like Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay, and Lake Rousseau sound idyllic, the demands of running a single home seem sufficient to me. So, innocently I accepted Kantelberg’s invitation to visit her new country home in spring of 2002 and minutes after I arrived, my smug contentment vanished. It was an epiphany.  BAM!  I suddenly got it – the reason so many strive to own a cottage or country house.  This is a destination for spontaneous escape with all the comforts of home.  What could be better?

Months later, still fantasizing about country living I phoned real estate veteran Ginny MacEachern and declared myself to be “just looking”.  MacEachern was quick to grasp that “just looking” is a euphemism for “I’m not sure how I can afford this, but let’s pretend.” 

It turns out that finding a country house (or a cottage, I presume) is more elusive then finding a bathing suit that flatters or bringing the Stanley Cup back to Toronto.  Over a two year period my husband and I visited more than 20 properties with various family members in tow. None was quite “perfect”.  One had a chicken farm too near and the smell was repugnant.  Another was a monument to knotty pine. Still another was utterly primitive and the owners were asking over 1 million dollars for it. Finally, one sounded really promising as it boasted a waterfall!  After 20 minutes of hiking we discovered the waterfall was more of a water-trickle and its location, deep in the woods, left something to be desired.

Although “perfect doesn’t exist,” I nevertheless persevered with my “wish list”:

Location - within two hours of Toronto.
Cappuccino and Books - civilization nearby. 
Water - larger than a puddle and smaller than a great lake.
Home - either; a) sufficiently clean enough to live in while designing a new home, or b) completely dilapidated.
Garden - filled with sunshine; one shade garden in the city is sufficient.

Here are a few “rules” for surviving the country house search:

Unless you are a local (born and raised) you are a City Slicker and that is something mildly shameful.  Your ignorance as a city slicker is evident to even small children (provided they are not city slickers      too). 

Decide whether you are a nester or a percher. Nesters prefer to be huddled near the land, often surrounded by rocky out-cropping or lush forest.  Perchers enjoy commanding views of the land as they are set up high.

Never meet the owners.  A charming owner will take you in hand and point out the first foundation stone laid by her great grandfather, the exact location of a beloved pet’s burial, and the new conservatory built for her daughter’s wedding,. 

Find out what plans, if any, for future building exist beside or in proximity to the property you are considering for purchase. 

Spend the weekend in the area and visit the property in more than one season.

Finally, trust your instincts.  This is a logical and an emotional decision and you’ll want to rely on that immediate, visceral reaction. 


PS.  Kimberley finally found her dream property near the town of Creemore.  Win a chance to join Kimberley and some friendly locals for a one day only: Design Express Creemore.