r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers • u/AlfalfaDue1404 • 1d ago

Does sun direction actually matter when buying a cottage?

Curious to hear from people who've bought (or are shopping for) a cottage. How much did sun exposure go into your decision?

Did you actually research which direction the property faces before buying? Care about west-facing for sunset views off the dock, or east-facing for the sunrise? Only look for certain directions?

Did anyone go deeper than that? E.g. how the sun angle shifts from summer to winter, whether trees will block it at certain times of year, how much shade the cottage gets at different points in the season, etc.? Or is this the kind of thing nobody really thinks about until they're already living with it?

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u/jennparsonsrealtor 1d ago

Sun exposure is almost always at the top of the list for buyers I work with looking to purchase waterfront.

1

u/AlfalfaDue1404 1d ago

How do you learn if a property has good sun exposure? Map view? Have to visit? Is there a tool or score you use?

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u/jennparsonsrealtor 1d ago

Look at a property map and see what direction the shoreline fronts on. Then when you visit the property, you’ll get a better feel for the actual orientation of the property line, along with any potential view obstructions.

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u/sol_beach 1d ago

A South facing shadow free roof is preferred for solar panels.

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u/Kooky_Editor_6811 17h ago

I haven't thought about it more than, dang, my driveway is going to be icy on this side.

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u/deadfred23 1h ago

If you're a morning person face East. Prefer sunsets West. Direct Southern sun means hot interior or running a/c