Help With Possible Island Home

Rattlesnake Guy · 09-19-2008, 08:15 PM

Here is my short list of things we did not know before we bought our place. Fortunately we got Lucky.

In no particular order

Where does the sun rise and set? If you love or hate the sun, what are you going to have on your house, deck and yard.

How rough does the water get in front of your place? If all your neighbors have break waters, you should be concerned if you don't.

What kind of trees do you have? Are you going to be dealing with sap, leaves.

What is the heat source? If it's propane, how are you going to get it to the island? (We converted to a heat pump to provide AC and Heat.)

Have the mice done much damage to the place?

This is a big one... when you go to the bathroom, where does it go? We started with an electric toilet and hated hated hated it. We like our composting toilet as we don't have to train guest on how to use it. I am jealous of the people with a septic systems. Don't underestimate the value of a septic system in a house.

Does the camp have legal running water?

What happens to the dock in the winter. How hard is it to deal with?

How does the camp get it's water? What is involved with setting it up in the spring and closing it down in the fall?

How well insulated is the camp? Cooler in the summer and warmer in the spring and fall. Easier to heat and cool as well.

My wife values having the grill close to the kitchen as we do a lot of outdoor cooking on the island. Get a side burner.

She also values a view of the lake while doing the dishes and cooking.

The path from the boat to the house will be well traveled. How hard is it to navigate? Think about how many stairs are involved. Don't underestimate the amount of materials and supplies you will have to lug from the boat to the house and back to the boat.

How far is your mainland slip from the island. This is a trip you are likely to take a few times.

What is the potential for rough water on your boat ride?

Does you island have an association, covenants?

Who lives next door?

The island home has to survive the winter without any help. Look for potential snow issues. Deck where snow can accumulate and cause problems.

How will you get INTERNET if you want it?

How will you get television if you want it? (We are still working on this one. our lot is not conducive to a dish) We don't work to hard as a lack of 100 stations seems to help our quality time. We also are very informed on all the news in Maine.

If you want to make changes to what you buy, you should read the new shoreline protection rules to know what you can and can't do.

Hope this helps.

Our purchase of an island home is one of our best decisions.

09-19-2008, 08:15 PM	#2
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	You asked Here is my short list of things we did not know before we bought our place. Fortunately we got Lucky. In no particular order Where does the sun rise and set? If you love or hate the sun, what are you going to have on your house, deck and yard. How rough does the water get in front of your place? If all your neighbors have break waters, you should be concerned if you don't. What kind of trees do you have? Are you going to be dealing with sap, leaves. What is the heat source? If it's propane, how are you going to get it to the island? (We converted to a heat pump to provide AC and Heat.) Have the mice done much damage to the place? This is a big one... when you go to the bathroom, where does it go? We started with an electric toilet and hated hated hated it. We like our composting toilet as we don't have to train guest on how to use it. I am jealous of the people with a septic systems. Don't underestimate the value of a septic system in a house. Does the camp have legal running water? What happens to the dock in the winter. How hard is it to deal with? How does the camp get it's water? What is involved with setting it up in the spring and closing it down in the fall? How well insulated is the camp? Cooler in the summer and warmer in the spring and fall. Easier to heat and cool as well. My wife values having the grill close to the kitchen as we do a lot of outdoor cooking on the island. Get a side burner. She also values a view of the lake while doing the dishes and cooking. The path from the boat to the house will be well traveled. How hard is it to navigate? Think about how many stairs are involved. Don't underestimate the amount of materials and supplies you will have to lug from the boat to the house and back to the boat. How far is your mainland slip from the island. This is a trip you are likely to take a few times. What is the potential for rough water on your boat ride? Does you island have an association, covenants? Who lives next door? The island home has to survive the winter without any help. Look for potential snow issues. Deck where snow can accumulate and cause problems. How will you get INTERNET if you want it? How will you get television if you want it? (We are still working on this one. our lot is not conducive to a dish) We don't work to hard as a lack of 100 stations seems to help our quality time. We also are very informed on all the news in Maine. If you want to make changes to what you buy, you should read the new shoreline protection rules to know what you can and can't do. Hope this helps. Our purchase of an island home is one of our best decisions.