Do I want a Camp or Cabin in Upstate New York?
Shopping for a second home or vacation property like a cabin in North Country can be fun. At the same time, it can be a daunting task. The wide selection that is available to you varies greatly. Price, acreage, location and condition. So many things should be taken into consideration. Is year round access important to you? We get 30’ of snow some years. This could cut you off from getting access during the season. Lake Effect snows can happen as early as November and last through April.
Ask yourself, do you want a new structure or do you want to take on an existing one? Go off grid or stay on grid? If your handy or have friends and family that are. You might find an existing home with acreage in an area your interested in. This may be a better fit. Going this route, will get you a better bang for your buck. Infrastructure is already in place. Well, septic, electric and foundation. They may need to be upgraded but at less cost than installing new. If you are financing a property like this, you will have access to more lenders for this type of property as well. Typically, it won't take much to convert an existing structure into an awesome cabin.
While taking on an existing structure, your taxes could be lower too, versus building new. Access to riding trails, hunting, fishing and all the great recreational opportunities in beautiful Upstate NY will still be the same. You would be well advised to look into existing properties with older homes or structures already in place. An Agent that lives in the area is worth their weight in gold. They will know all the right people and a good Agent will find the right property for you.
““Most Cabins fall between these two pictures. The only similarity may be the price””
The alternative to a Cabin is a Camp. A Camp like a Cabin can have a permanent or temporary structure. You may lack running water, septic or electric if you are looking for creature comforts. Once your camp build out includes these things, it will be considered a cabin. Ask your Agent the right questions and you should get the right answers. You certainly don’t want to pay full price on a camp if you can get a cabin at the same price.
When shopping for a camp or cabin, be sure to check out different brokerages as much as the listings your looking at. You'll find that prices vary greatly and good deals can always be found. A camp may be a great purchase and will allow you to create the cabin of your dreams that won’t break the bank.
As a Retired Custom Builder and Active Real Estate Agent I can help answer questions you may have about the requirements needed to make your cabin comfortable and enjoyable. If you would like me to represent you on a Listing. Give me a call.