Huge decision...to buy a cabin or not?

[traveler]

BK; theres an existing well, appx. 80 ft drilled. It will be tested as a contingent of sale. The septic will be built in the spring, and the "lot" is 12 acres, so theres plenty of room for good distance from well to septic, no need to cram it in. Sound good?

[Queenswake]

The major cons I see.

1) Because you have this cabin, you'll always feel compelled to go there with any free time you have in order to justify its cost. So there goes weekend getaways anywhere else. With as short of summers as MN has, you're not going to want to spend any weekend anywhere else. And you can miss a lot of fun activities both in town and at other destinations.

2) I personally enjoy travelling around and fishing different parts of the state. With a cabin, you're not going to ever fish anywhere else but the area your cabin is in. For some, that's fine, but I'd really miss the great fishing and great scenery all over the state.

That said, I think we'd all love to have a cabin. Especially for the winters. You can camp during the summer, but for the winter, it would be nice to have a place of your own to escape to. I sure wish I could afford it right now as this is as good as it gets for buying a place close to the Twin Cities. There have to be some killer deals out there right now.

In terms of maintenance, the ideal cabin would probably be a A-Frame or old log cabin with no grass. Very little maintenance there.

[Blue Kayak]

BK; theres an existing well, appx. 80 ft drilled. It will be tested as a contingent of sale. The septic will be built in the spring, and the "lot" is 12 acres, so theres plenty of room for good distance from well to septic, no need to cram it in. Sound good?

Twelve acres is huge for a lake property. No wonder you are interested.

[Stoneman]

Ok, can't resist... Bought the "place up-north" about 12 years ago with the plan of retirement place was about 50. At 53 got let go and told Mrs, "see you up north". Sold place in bloomington and moved to Nisswa! Wouldn't change a thing. Mrs kept her job in cities, has to be there one day a week otherwise works from home on computer. She stays with her Mom which is 1 mile from her job so they have there time and i have mine..I do have a part time job a few days a week, pays for minnows. We had bought before big price jumps so we could afford it. Yep I live on a good lake, taxes are not to bad, small 2000 sq ft house with, get this, 4 car garage. Can't stand going back to cities, even for a visit, how i did it my whole life,I'll never know.. Great to fish, ice fish, bird watch and deer... sit on the deck over looking the lake with a cocktail.. Anyway....my opinion is, DO IT. Its not work its different up "at the lake". Kids will go now then not come up in there late teens but when family is started, they will be back with their kids and husbands and it will be great.. Best of luck

[buddha]

Do it! If you can't swing it then sell it. Unless the place is in bad shape you will at least get what you paid. I did it two years ago and don't regret a bit. Family, friends, etc we are all having more fun. I too bought outside of Pequot Lakes and the drive is just fine and don't worry about the work that's not bad either.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Traveler,

My dad is a few years older than you. All of us kids are out of the house and he is still buying new things. (just bought another 40 acres) even though he may have to work a couple extra years, some things in life are just worth it.

just something to think about

[Coach1310]

First off... if you are this far into the process I think we all know that this is something you really want. I dream of having a place someday, but things to consider:

1. What will you miss out on by going to the lake every weekend or whenever? Some people love the idea, only to find they head to the lake and miss weddings, family functions, etc.

2. Where will you get the extra time?? I know for me, the weekends are big for getting stuff done around my home, projects, lawn, maint. etc... If you are like me and spend weekends catching up on those things, how will you get them done when you are at the cabin all week. I know everyone talks about the upkeep at the lake, but you will be losing time to keep up with the upkeep at home... this may lead to having to miss out on golf league, fishing league, softball, weeknight free time etc..

3. If you DON'T do it..... in my opinion you will never know!!

If it was me... I would go for it. From the sounds of your description, you are in a much better position and a much more researched stance to buy something than many others who buy..

let us know how it goes

[CraigM]

Traveler, I'm a couple of years younger than you and my wife and I have been cabin owners for about 10 years. We absolutely love the place and go every chance we get. We used to camp a lot and do occassionaly miss going to new areas but there is also something to be said for becoming familiar with one place.

The cons others have listed are certainly true. Upkeep on two places is difficult when splitting time between the two. Maintenance is work no matter which place you are doing it. I go to the cabin to hunt/fish/relax, not work. But it is required. To me, the positives far out weigh the negatives.

We actually don't have the opportunity to go as a family as much as we'd like with all of the kids activities, work, etc. But, my 12y.o. old son and I spend a lot of time there doing what boys do. With the wifes blessing. I actually have more friends there than I do here at home.

Moneys tight in this economy and I sometimes wonder if it's worth the expense. To us it is. I would rather lose my house than the cabin. Thankfully, neither is going to happen.

I'd say go for it and have fun.

Good luck.

[traveler]

Well, we pulled the trigger! Made an offer a few days ago, they countered, we accepted:) Now it's off to the bank...wish me luck! It didn't sound like it would be a problem in preliminary talks with the bank. We've done business with them for years, have double the equity we need, very good credit....hopefully thats enough:) If all goes well we should be cabin owners in a few weeks...you're all invited up for opener:) (better check with the wife on that one I guess...

[traveler]

man, I'm gonna need a new screen name now:(

[Back2Dakota]

I dont own a cabin but my parent do. On the same lake as my Grandpa,Great Uncle and my aunt and uncle. I grew up with a cabin and could not imagine not being able to "go to the cabin". Good decision!You will love it.

[solbes]

No changing your screen name. But congrats on the cabin! I think you'll really enjoy it.

[BoxMN]

Congrats Traveler! You won't be sorry! Post some pics when you get a chance, would love to see it. You are already making the memories

[pegleg]

Congrats and you won't regret this decision... Yes post some pictures so we can see what your guest room looks like when you get all of us Fishingminnesota visitors up there.

[traveler]

room? who said anything about a room???

Hey, I appreciate the help, but my wife said no strays in the cabin:) (you can come up and fish with me though!)

[traveler]

Funny, since you mentioned pics...it's one of the things we like about the cabin;

It doesn't have much "personality" (yet:)

It's a nice place, great potential, but the owners bought it from a relative and have other property in the area and just never used it much, never really got it all "cabiney:) So my wife (and all of us) are looking forward to doing some stuff with it to make it our own. Kind of like a blank canvas...!