After four years of cabin hunting, we finally got serious in the fall of 2023. But let’s be real—serious doesn’t always mean successful. We decided to see if the properties online were as dreamy as they looked in the photos. Spoiler: they weren’t. Apparently, “photoshop” is the secret ingredient to making any space look like it belongs in Architectural Digest. Here’s a recap of the five glorious fails that almost made me quit this whole “finding the perfect cabin” thing.
Fail #1: The “Lake Property” That Should’ve Stayed on the Market
We thought we’d found a gem on a popular lake chain—except it was more “sow’s ear” than “silk purse.” For starters, the $75K in renovations I estimated didn’t include the rotting, weed-infested hill down to the lake (complete with 70 stairs—each one a potential lawsuit waiting to happen). Despite all the red flags, we lowballed the seller, thinking we’d snag it for cheap. But no. She rejected our offer and, a day later, accepted another buyer’s offer for only $15K more. It was a close call… but looking back, I’m glad I didn’t get suckered into a Money Pit remake. I’ll boat by this summer to see what the new owners have done… if the deck hasn’t collapsed by then.
Fail #2: The Lake Cabin That Got Away (But Could Come Back)
Next, I found the perfect fixer-upper on a beautiful 1,000-acre lake. Only 10 steps to the water, incredible views, a charming bunkhouse above the garage—this was the one. But, in a tragic twist, I took too long to make the call. By the time I booked a showing, it had already sold to an all-cash investor. The kicker? It sold for $25K below asking. The irony wasn’t lost on me—while I was sitting in limbo, someone else snagged it for less than what I was ready to offer. Watch for that one to pop back up on the market in 2-3 months, priced $200K higher, fully “renovated” and definitely out of my budget.
Fail #3: The Picture-Perfect Disaster
We stumbled upon a property that looked amazing online: stucco, vaulted ceilings, and a killer view. I was like, “This is it. 8 out of 10 for sure.” Then we showed up. The deck was barely holding on, the patio door had duct tape holding it together, and water damage was practically everywhere. Oh, and the basement? It was a maze of despair. We threw a lowball offer at it anyway. After a round of negotiations, we settled at a price that seemed good… until the inspection. Mold, foundation cracks, deteriorating insulation—the works. The renovation cost? At least $200K. Back to the drawing board.
Fail #4: The A-Frame Smoke Screen
Imagine driving to see a charming A-frame cabin by a huge lake. You’re excited—until you spot the owner sitting in the window, puffing away. Yep, he was smoking in the house. I mean, who still does that? Apparently, this guy. We toured the place the next day, and shocker, the entire house reeked of smoke. Fine, we were willing to rip out the flooring and repaint, but then the bombshell dropped: the owners wanted to stay until the end of September. This was mid-June. They wouldn’t leave until after we had already taken possession. Um, no thanks—especially not while they kept smoking inside. We tried to find them alternate rentals but got nowhere. The next day, someone else swooped in with a better offer, and that was that. Goodbye, A-frame.
Fail #5: The Lake That Broke My Husband’s Heart
Finally, we found our dream lake in a small Wisconsin town, close to friends and family. It had everything we loved: a charming small-town vibe, great restaurants, and a brewery. But, of course, it wasn’t meant to be. A property in our price range popped up on the market, and my husband fell in love. Despite needing a lot of work, we made an offer over asking and then came the kicker: we had to send a “love letter” to the owners to win them over. (Apparently, that’s not legal everywhere, but it’s a thing in Wisconsin). The love letter? Pointless. A competing buyer swooped in and offered $30K more, and our dreams of lake life were dashed. My husband pictured summers on that lake, and I just pictured drowning in renovations. Either way, we didn’t get it.
So, here we are, still on the hunt. Will we ever find our dream cabin? Who knows. But at least I can add “expert at heartbreak” to my resume. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this never-ending saga of cabin failures!