Previous owners may have given permission for local snowmobile clubs to use the property, or for hunters to use it. Make sure that if you're planning to renovate the cottage or add any outbuildings, it's permitted by local zoning. Check the wiring in the cottage to make sure it will meet future needs. If you plan to add a satellite TV system or install computers so you can work from the cottage, you may need to upgrade. If the cottage is not winterized or will be left with no heat during the winter months, make sure you know how to turn off the water and drain the pipes dry.
Security is always a concern if the cottage is to be left unoccupied for a long time.
Consider the costs of installing a security system or arranging to have a local resident check the cottage regularly. Watch for any small piles of sawdust, signs of chewing on the house, or animal droppings that could indicate the house has been invested by insects or animals. If you can't afford to buy a cottage right away but want to get into the recreational market now, one way to do so is to buy vacant land, and save to build a cottage there later. In the meantime, you can use the land as a campsite. Ask neighbours how much it cost to dig their well.