Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in The Diamond in the
Ruff. Below you will find some information that will
hopefully help you understand a little more about this
great place.
Q. Where are the Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the
Ruff ’ located?
A. We’re located in Muskoka at 1137 Old Parry Sound
Road near the village of Raymond; we are situated 2-2
1/2 hours from Toronto. For directions, phone 705385-2222, or see the directions page on this website.
www.diamondintheruff.ca
Q. What can I purchase?
A. We are selling “Shared Family Cottage Ownership”
in five week shares. The Cottages at The Diamond
‘In the Ruff ’ is a 15-cottage, shared development
being built in three phases. Phase one and Phase Two
are already built. Phase Three will see an additional
five cottages and that will complete our community.
You can purchase as many five week shares as you
wish. The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ Golf Club features
amenities including a golf course, clubhouse, full golf
practice facility, extensive walking and biking trails
and a private lake for fishing and swimming with a
pristine beach. Winter time boasts cross country ski
and snowshoe trails, ice skating and downhill skiing
nearby.
Q. What is Shared or Fractional Ownership?
A. Shared or Fractional Ownership is an efficient
and simple way to own a vacation home in Ontario’s
most popular year-round resort destination. Shared
Cottage Ownership enables owners to enjoy their
vacation or second home without the hassle,
responsibility and huge expense that comes with
owning and maintaining a second home. With shared
ownership, each fraction consists of five weeks of
ownership in a specific cottage along with all of the
common amenities.
Q. Is Shared Cottage Ownership the same thing as a
Timeshare?
A. No! There are many differences between the two.
For example, at the Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the
Ruff ’ you will own a share of an actual stand alone
cottage, not a condo style high density apartment.
There is no expiry date on your ownership and
you will enjoy five weeks annually for every share
you own. Historically, shared ownership shares
have appreciated in value while time shares have
depreciated. This is an equity building opportunity.
Most importantly the difference between the two is
this. When someone purchases from us they were
typically thinking about buying a second home
or cottage in this area. This form of real estate
ownership has provided a stress free option for them.
Timesharing is not the same and will not substitute as
a form of second home ownership and is seen purely
as a week long vacation product with no resale value.
Q. What do I own?
A. You will own a 1/150th share of a non-profit
corporation which owns the entire property and
everything on it, in perpetuity; including 1/10 usage
of a specific, detached, luxuriously furnished cottage
and all the common amenities.
Q. What are the Advantages of Shared Cottage
Ownership?
A. In addition to a better quality cottage, and
amenities, each custom designed cottage is the
epitome of comfort, sophistication and carefree
enjoyment–no grass to cut, snow to shovel, or
maintenance of any kind so you’ll have more time to
enjoy our wealth of leisure activities with your family
and friends.
Shared ownership reduces investment requirements
and limits annual costs to the number of weeks
owned. The Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’
allows you to own just the weeks you use. You pay
only for the weeks you own, so the savings are
significant and much more cost effective than owing a
year-round cottage.
Q. How many “owners” does each cottage have and
how are the schedules divided?
A. Each cottage has up to 10 shares available for
purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers
may choose the schedule that best suits them. Each
“owner” will have five scheduled weeks of the year:
two in the summer, one each in spring, fall and
winter. The summer weeks will remain fixed and the
other weeks will rotate.
Q. How are my weeks chosen?
A. When you purchase your ownership share, you
will select the fixed summer weeks that best fit your
needs. Your other weeks are selected in order of your
position in line to choose them which rotates every
year.
Q. When do my weeks begin?
A. Weeks can begin on a Friday or Monday
depending on the particular cottage you have selected
for your ownership purchase.
Q. How good is winter access?
A. The roads that lead right to our entrance are paved
routes and are well maintained all year. You can enjoy
year-round fun and relaxation at the Cottages at The
Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Tell me about the property.
A. The total property is approximately 285 acres and
site at the Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ is
32.5 acres which includes frontage on Nutt Lake.
There is a private sandy beach, open space, and
plenty of trees. There are thousands of acres of crown
land on the other side of the lake, so our view is
spectacular. In the spring you’ll see the awakening of
nature including loons, ducks and other birds abound.
Deer, rabbits and other wildlife enjoy the property
throughout the year.
Q. In addition to golf, are there year round activities
at my cottage?
A. YES, the Cottages at the Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ can
be enjoyed year-round with numerous entertaining
and enjoyable activities on-site and nearby. Including
downhill and cross country skiing, snowshoeing,
hiking, boating, biking, fishing and more.
Q. Which family members or guests have Golf
privileges?
Q. How do I find out more about Diamond in the
Ruff Golf Course?
A. Go to the website, www.diamondintheruff.ca, or
call the Pro Shop at 1-877-643-3343.
Q. Once I own property, can I exchange dates with
another owner?
A. Yes, exchanging dates and combining weeks can be
done at your discretion.
Q. Can I rent out my time if I can’t use it?
A. Yes, if you are unable to use a week you may rent it
out. Your owners Agreement will require your renters
to be familiar with and adhere to the By Laws.
Q. Who manages the Cottage Association?
A. A professional management company, reporting
to the Board of Directors elected by the owners, will
organize all services and provide regular accounting
reports to the owners via the Board.
Q. Who does the cleaning?
A. Your guests that are staying with you also enjoy
certain privileges at the club’s golf course and at the
clubhouse facility up to the maximum occupancy
allowable for your residence.
A. The property management company arranges
weekly cleaning on each turnover day.
Q. Do Owners have privileges in the club facilities if
they are not staying at their cottage?
A. The annual expenses of the property are called
maintenance fees. This is your share of the total cost
of operating the property. This also includes a certain
amount of money that goes towards the reserve
account. Already this account is well funded so
anyone buying now enjoys the benefit of this without
having paid anything towards it at this stage.
A. Yes
Q. Are there greens fees?
A. Golf Membership for 2 people is included in your
ownership. This is a fabulous benefit to ownership and
is yours to enjoy. If you wish to rent golf cart while
you play you will be responsible for that cost.
Q. What are the maintenance fees?
Q. What does the maintenance fee include?
A. The maintenance fees will be billed annually to
reduce administrative costs and simplify life for the
owners. The fee includes: housekeeping services;
property operation and maintenance; property taxes
and insurance; cleaning; administration; legal and
audit fees; energy and utilities; reserve for future
refurnishing and renovation; everything except food
and drink and soap, and any special services you may
require. This also includes a certain amount of money
that goes towards the reserve account. Already this
account is well funded so anyone buying now enjoys
the benefit of this without having paid anything
towards it at this stage.
Grounds maintenance is continuous. Two weeks per
year are reserved for more major cleaning, painting,
shampooing and other refurbishing.
Q. Is financing available?
A. Yes, financing is available for everyone who buys.
There are several options for buyers. Please discuss
your needs with us.
Q. What about damage and refurbishing costs?
A. Damage beyond normal wear and tear is the
responsibility of the occupying owner. The owner’s
agreement provides for a Reserve Fund to pay all the
costs for replacing furniture, appliances, roofing etc.
on a scheduled basis.
Q. Is there storage available in the cottage?
A. There is a storage locker for each owner in the
basement of each cottage. You can store such things as
family photos, left-over supplies, liquor, wine, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can someone purchase more than one share?
A. Yes. For example your family may want to own
multiple weeks at the same time for family reunions
and use with friends. Simply purchase multiple shares
based upon availability.
Q. Can a business purchase an interest in a corporate
name?
A. Yes. Possibly, a company may wish to purchase
at the Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ with
a view to holding training, corporate retreats, golf
tournaments or similar activities.
Q. Are pets allowed? Is smoking allowed in the
cottage?
A. The Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ cottages
is designated smoke free. Pets are very welcome in
certain cottages. If you wish to know which cottages
are available for this use please call us
Q. How long will it be before I have possession of my
cottage?
A. There is immediate availability.
Q. Are snowmobiles allowed?
A. Yes. Unloading and egress from the property is
allowed. Snowmobiles are not allowed anywhere
on the golf course or the common areas so that the
Cottages at the Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ may be ‘quietly’
enjoyed by others.
Q. Can I sell my ownership at any time?
A. Yes you can sell your property at any time. This is
yours to will, sell, rent or enjoy.
Q. What other holiday benefits are available to the
Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ owners?
A. the Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ owners
will have the option to continue a membership in
RCI. These memberships provide you the opportunity
to exchange your weeks for resorts all over the
world and purchase additional local or international
holidays at great prices.
Q. What is the quality of the homes, furniture, and
accessories?
A. The Cottages at The Diamond ‘In The Ruff ’ have
been built by NORMERICA, one of North America’s
leading designers and builders of upscale Post and
Beam recreational homes. Normerica provides the
highest quality in construction and durability. An
interior designer has ensured that each cottage is
completely and elegantly furnished.
Q. How do I buy a share?
A. Simply contact us on 1-705-706-7665 or 877-6433343. Alternatively you may email me at, Alistair@
diamondintheruff.ca to make your selection. Your
deposit is held in trust by our legal firm until closing.
It’s that easy! Just call us!
If we haven’t answered all your questions about the
Cottages at The Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ please call us at
877-643-3343 for more information and to make an
appointment for a tour.
Additional Information
A propane powered emergency generator is near the
Utility Building, which has the capacity to provide
electricity to the essential services, such as water
supply and sewage treatment, when there is a power
outage by Hydro 1. Electricity is also be provided
automatically to each cottage where a special
electrical panel will connect to the lighting circuits,
giving light in each room, and will provide power
to the microwave, the television, to small kitchen
appliances, and to the UV water treatment, and the
furnace fans.
Air conditioning is provided by an air-to-air heat
pump, which gives both summer air conditioning
and heat during the shoulder seasons, in the spring
and fall. Heat pump technology is now advanced
to operate for a third of the cost of conventional air
conditioners and no longer employs Freon gas as a
refrigerant.
Each cottage has a heat recovery ventilating system
that exchanges the air in each cottage with outside
air and has switches in the kitchen and bathrooms to
dispel unwanted vapors and odors.
The cottages have been designed to be ‘disabled
friendly’ with extra wide doorways on the main floor
and room for a wheelchair to turn around in the Main
Bathroom and a suitable toilet with side grab bars.
For your comfort and enjoyment, the Normerica
cottage is insulated to R-2000 standards that will keep
you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The
cottages have propane fired furnace, barbeque and
hot water tank. There is a security system installed
to detect any problems with the sump pump in the
basement, and will be used by management when
Additional Information
your cottage is vacant, to detect low temperature, or a
break in.
Your kitchen is state of the art with four major
appliances-oven and glass-top stove, microwave,
refrigerator and dishwasher. In addition, you will be
provided with four small appliances-blender, coffee
maker, kettle and toaster. All kitchen amenities such
as dishes, flatware, cookware, glassware, pots and pans
to tea towels are included.
The main bathroom is equipped with a vanity, toilet
and a six-foot air jet bathtub and separate shower.
The second floor bathroom has a vanity, toilet and a
regular bathtub with shower.
The grounds of the cottages will be in keeping with
the groomed landscaping of the Diamond ‘In the
Ruff ’ with an additional gift from the developer-a
custom designed totem pole at the entrance to the
development.
Environmental & Servicing
Considerations
The developer of the Cottages at The Diamond ‘In
the Ruff ’ has retained the services of Professional
Planners, Engineers and Environmental Consultants
in the design of the project, with emphasis on
environmentally friendly solutions.
For example, the vegetation along the shoreline
of Nutt Lake has been replanted and storm water
management methods have been applied to control
storm water and a remote leaching bed will be used
to ensure that no effluent from the sewage treatment
plant enters Nutt Lake.
Sewage Treatment
Water Supply & Treatment
The sewage treatment system utilizes a private plant
called a Rotary Biological Contactor (RBC). This is
an advanced form of aerobic sewage treatment that
reduces the sewage to a level of Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD) and Nitrates in the liquid effluent
to less than the MOE standards. Solids are removed
twice annually by a sewage eductor truck and taken
to a District of Muskoka sewage treatment plant for
disposal. The liquid effluent is treated further by
aerobic process used in the application of the effluent
to the sandy soil, known as an Infiltrator Chamber
System.
The water supply system draws water from two wells
on the property, each of which has ample capacity
for the 15 cottages and will meet all the Ministry of
Environment (MOE) criteria for potable water. One
well will be used, with a second acting as a backup.
The water is pumped from the wells and stored in
three large fiberglass tanks in the utility building,
treated with Ultra Violet light for sterilization and
then pumped to the cottages via a distribution system.
To ensure that there is no possible contamination of
Nutt Lake, a remote leaching bed is used that is not
in the Nutt Lake watershed. Regular testing of the
effluent quality, both at the RBC and the leaching
bed will be done by a qualified laboratory and will be
continued for as long as required by the MOE.
To be doubly sure, each cottage has its own pressure
tank to give constant pressure at the tap and its own
Ultra Violet sterilizer. Water from the same aquifer
has been in use by the Diamond ‘In the Ruff ’ golf
course for potable water and for irrigation for the past
17 years.
A qualified testing company performs water quality
testing on a regular basis, with the test results being
available to the Board of the Cottages at The Diamond
‘In the Ruff ’ Cottage Owners Association.