Find out the answers to these issues before you buy, or before you waive all the conditions in the transaction:

• Shoreline road allowance-owned by the current owner, or by the municipality?
• Septic system or a holding tank? Where is it on the property?
• Water supply-from the lake, or a well? Drilled or dug? The road to the cottage-municipal or private? Who pays for maintenance? If it's private, is there a road's association?
• Survey-current showing all buildings?
• What building restrictions are there? Bylaws? Boathouse restrictions?
• Is the property an environmentally protected area?
• The lake-watercraft allowed? What size? How noisy is it?
• Zoning-any restrictions? What's allowed?
• There are other questions to ask, depending on the cottage and the area. You or your agent should do your homework before it's too late.