Community Spotlight — The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake

1,800 feet of
private waterfront.

The Cottages sold out. Resale is the only way in. When a unit comes available, it moves fast — and you need an agent who understands the strata rules before you make an offer.

285 homes. Gated. Private beach. Marina with boat slips. Two pools, community centre, and Osoyoos Lake on your doorstep. The Cottages is the South Okanagan's most sought-after resort community — and one of the most nuanced to buy into.

285Total homes
in the development
1,800ftPrivate waterfront
on Osoyoos Lake
500ftPrivate sandy beach
exclusive to residents
ResaleOnly — development
is fully sold out

The Cottages is a strata community. Strata documents, bylaws, depreciation report, and minutes are essential reading before any offer.

The Community

What makes The Cottages different from every other South Okanagan community

The Cottages is a purpose-built resort community — not a subdivision that grew organically. Every detail was designed around the lake: the orientation of homes, the pedestrian-only zones near the waterfront, the marina layout, the beach access. Residents don't share the lake with the public — the 1,800ft of waterfront and 500ft sandy beach are exclusively for Cottages residents and their guests.

The development was built in phases and sold out entirely. There are no new builds available. The only way to buy into The Cottages is to find a resale unit — which means working with an agent who monitors the community closely and can move quickly when something comes available.

Homes range from cottages and bungalows to larger lakeside properties. Square footage, location within the development (lakefront, lakeview, interior), and condition drive price variation significantly. Not all Cottages units are equal — understanding the development layout matters before you buy.

⚠️ Before you buy into any strata — read the documents

The Cottages operates as a strata corporation. Before making any offer, you need to review and understand: the strata bylaws (rental restrictions, pet rules, STR permissions), the most recent depreciation report (capital reserve fund status), strata meeting minutes (any pending special levies or disputes), current strata fees and what they cover, and the insurance policy details.

Pat's subject conditions always include adequate time to review strata documents. Never waive this review — a special levy on a resort strata can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Community Amenities

What's included when you own at The Cottages

🏖️
Private Beach500ft of private sandy beach on Osoyoos Lake — residents and guests only
Marina & Boat SlipsPrivate marina with boat slip rentals available to Cottages residents
🏊
Two PoolsTwo outdoor pools plus hot tub within the community
🏋️
Community CentreFitness centre, social space, and event facilities
🔒
Gated AccessGated entry — private and secure community
🌿
LandscapingCommon area maintenance and landscaping included in strata fees
What to Know Before Buying

The Cottages nuances that catch buyers off guard

📄 STR Rules Change

Short-term rental permissions at The Cottages are governed by strata bylaws — and bylaws can change. Always verify the current STR rules directly from the strata documents at the time of purchase. Don't rely on what was permitted when the development first opened.

💰 Strata Fees

Strata fees at resort communities tend to be higher than typical residential strata — the amenities, landscaping, and waterfront maintenance cost money. Factor strata fees into your total cost of ownership calculation, not just the purchase price.

📊 Depreciation Reports

A depreciation report tells you the state of the capital reserve fund — whether there's enough money set aside for future major repairs. A community with an underfunded reserve is a red flag that could mean special levies (unexpected lump-sum costs) for owners.

🏠 Unit Location Matters

Lakefront units vs. lakeview vs. interior lots are priced very differently — and the lifestyle difference is significant. Know exactly what you're buying and where it sits in the development relative to the beach and amenities before making an offer.

🔥 Insurance

Strata insurance covers common areas and the building envelope — but individual unit contents and improvements require your own policy. The wildfire interface zone consideration also applies — get insurance confirmed as a subject condition in summer months.

⚡ Move Fast

Cottages resales don't sit. When a well-priced unit comes available, it can have multiple offers within days. Having Pat on watch — and financing pre-approved — means you can act before the listing even goes public in some cases.

Essential Reading

Guides relevant to buying at The Cottages

Looking for a Cottages resale?

Pat monitors The Cottages market and can notify you when something comes available — before it goes wide. Being ready to move fast is the whole game here.

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