Salmon Arm Shuswap real estate

Have June Conway, RE/MAX June Conway Realty 1.888.657.7123 june@juneconway.com assist with looking for the perfect setting, not a good deal! To help you before you buy, to check for access, drinking water, zoning and a nice view!.....

"It is July. You are either in the Interior or on the Gulf Islands. You are lying on the beach and feeling just peachy. You turn over and say: "Honey, why don't we buy something here?"

Think! You are on holidays. You have forgotten that it took you four ferry rides to get there. Or that you are in the second week of your holiday and some 14 hours away.

Often we buy and never go there again, because it is simply too far, hasn't got the proper access and the promised well water.

With that said, there are some truisms when it comes to selecting recreational property -- property from which you can realize a profit, investment goals and simply happy times.

According to those who know, the right setting is often more important than the per-acre price.

Of course, there are a number of reasons why people buy vacation properties. One reason is to go there on their vacations. Another reason is to leave the city and move there.

Perhaps you are able to cut loose because you just retired or because modern communication allows you to work in the boonies. Demographics and technological advances are prompting more people to consider this type of lifestyle change.

A third reason for buying vacation property is as an investment. While we should be clear in our objectives -- buy the digs for capital gain or personal use -- sometimes it is possible to combine the investment motive with one of the other two reasons for buying a vacation property. But no matter where or why you buy, there are some things to watch out for:

- ZONING. Zoning usually only allows for single-family homes. Duplexes and so on are not allowed. Most rural zoning allows trailers. Guest cottages may be allowed.

- BOUNDARIES. Determining boundaries of property is vital. Get the surveyed plan, subdivision plan or strata plan from the Land Title Office.

- UNSURVEYED ROADS. In some areas, public roads haven't been formally dedicated. The Highways Act specifies that whenever public funds are spent on roads crossing private property, these serviced areas become property of the Ministry of Highways.

If the road to a house or building site isn't on the legal plan as a public road don't assume. Check it out with the Highways Ministry.

- ACCESS. You must have access. If the access is only by boat or plane, that only devalues property. Also check for access to waterfront -- you may own it!

- DRINKING WATER. If drinking water is not on your property, it is usually supplied by a community water system. Such systems can be poorly maintained, which can lead to chronic water-quality problems. Municipal or regional systems are usually problem-free.

- SEPTIC TANK OR FIELDS. These are vital. If no septic field is allowed, it kills most deals, devaluing most properties sharply.

Find out the minimum setbacks from ocean, rivers and streams (you need a minimum depth of four feet of non-impervious ground above the water table).

- With the explosion in development, many small communities have become increasingly upset with fast growth.

There is also the AMNE syndrome (after me no one else) where people move into an area and then don't want you to come.

So check things out. Lake and mountain property values are soaring. Buy, but don't get carried away. Always go and walk the walk yourself.

(prepared by Ozzie Jurock, Special to the Vancouver Province)