Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…

About a year ago we got a tip on a property and decided to research it more thoroughly. In a matter of minutes, we learned enough to dissuade us from entertaining a purchase, while learning some hard facts that outlined what we could and could not do with a vacant lot if we decided to purchase.

We learned that purchasing a lot did not necessarily guarantee that we could build a structure (due to environmental limitations etc.), and that it was ‘illegal’ to camp on a vacant lot. In order to camp or park a trailer on a lot, lot owners need a valid building permit, and in order to obtain a valid building permit the lot needed a well. As well, a building permit will only be issued for a structure that satisfies the provincial building code, as well as local municipal bylaw which stipulated that no residential structure could be less then 1000 square feet.

In essence, what this meant is that we would need to design a ‘home’ that was 1000 square feet or more, included a half or full basement, was fully serviced with a well and septic bed, and satisfied the local building code – meaning that there could be no cost-saving short-cuts in the construction. As well, this meant that any offer we put on a lot would have to be conditional on a building permit, which would mean that we would need to have blueprints ready for submission, and would need to be ready to build shortly after purchasing the lot – or risk allowing the permit to expire and perhaps lose the chance to build.

This hurdle is really the kill-joy of the entire dream.

I guess we imagined that if we were able to purchase a lot, we could camp on it for a few years while we saved up the money to build the ‘bunkie’, and over the years, via renovation and addition, slowly create the ultimate cottage – just as our forefathers did for previous generations. The reality is that there is no-such-thing as a cottage, only a new home, so we best change our mind-set and deal with the reality.