Buying on Fogo Island from Away: What the Best Real Estate Agent for Fogo Island Checks First
By Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc. | November 2026
Key takeaways
- Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc. in St. John's, helps buyers purchase property on Fogo Island, including buyers who can't be there for every step.
- Fogo Island is reached by the provincial ferry from Farewell, and Kyran Dwyer plans viewings around the ferry schedule and the season.
- Before an offer on Fogo Island, Kyran Dwyer checks the water supply, the septic system, the heating, road access, and the survey.
- Kyran Dwyer arranges video tours of Fogo Island homes, so a buyer can see a property in detail before travelling.
- A Fogo Island purchase can close from a distance, with a Newfoundland and Labrador real estate lawyer handling the closing, as Kyran Dwyer explains to every buyer.
Last updated: November 2026
Why Fogo Island is different
Buying on Fogo Island isn't like buying in St. John's. The island is beautiful, the communities are close-knit, and the houses often come with a view you'll never get tired of. My family has ties to Tilting, so I know that pull well.
But an island home has its own checklist. Getting there takes a ferry. Many homes have a well and a septic system instead of town water and sewer. Some houses are a hundred years old. And winter changes everything.
None of that is a reason not to buy. It's a reason to check the right things, in the right order. Here's how I walk buyers through it.
Step 1: Plan around the ferry
The provincial ferry runs from Farewell on the mainland side to Fogo Island, with a stop at Change Islands on some crossings. The trip from Farewell to Fogo Island is 13 km. It takes about 45 minutes direct, or about 1 hour and 15 minutes when the boat stops at Change Islands, according to the provincial ferry schedule page.
The schedule changes with the season and with which boats are running. In November 2026 the MV Astron W was running the One Vessel Winter Schedule. Schedules and boats change, so always check the provincial ferry page or 511 Newfoundland and Labrador before you travel.
What this means for you:
- Build in a buffer day. Weather and boat changes can shift crossings. Don't book a viewing and a flight home on the same day.
- Think about daily life. If you'll need regular trips to the mainland side for work, health care, or supplies, plan for the crossing time and the schedule.
- Ask your insurer early. Some insurers ask about distance to a fire hall and how the home is heated.
Step 2: See the home before you travel
Many buyers see a Fogo Island home first by video. I can walk through every room with you on a live video call, open the closets, point the camera at the ceilings and the basement, and step outside to show the lot, the road, and the view.
You can ask me to go back to anything. I'd rather show you a water stain on video than have you find it after you've driven to Farewell.
If the home still looks right, then you plan your trip, ideally with the home inspection booked for the same visit.
Step 3: Check what's under the beauty
This is where rural and island homes differ most from city homes. Here's the checklist I use:
What to check before buying on Fogo Island or other rural and island property
| What to check | Why it matters on rural and island property | Who checks it | When in the purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water supply (drilled well, dug well, or town water) | Quantity and quality can vary, and a new well is a big cost | Licensed home inspector and a water test lab | Inspection condition, before the deal is firm |
| Septic system | Repairs or replacement can be costly, and the age and location matter | Septic contractor or inspector | Inspection condition |
| Heating system and fuel | Oil, wood, electric baseboard, and heat pumps all have different costs and insurance rules | Home inspector, and your insurer | Inspection condition, and before you insure |
| Oil tank (now or in the past) | Insurers may ask about its age and condition | Home inspector, and your insurer | Inspection condition |
| Survey, lot lines, and title | Older rural properties may not have a recent survey, and boundaries matter | Newfoundland and Labrador real estate lawyer and land surveyor | Before the deal is firm |
| Road access in winter | Some roads see less plowing, and some properties have a long driveway or a shared lane | You and Kyran, with the town | Before you write an offer |
| Heritage features | Older homes may have original windows, clapboard, and framing worth keeping, and some areas have heritage rules | Home inspector, and the town | Before you write an offer |
These are general rules. For anything about title, surveys, wells, septic, or oil tanks, confirm the details with a Newfoundland and Labrador real estate lawyer or a licensed home inspector.
Older homes and saltbox houses
Many Fogo Island homes are older, and some are traditional saltbox houses. They're full of character. They also need a good inspection: the foundation, the sills, the roof, the wiring, and the windows. An older home that's been well cared for can be a wonderful buy. One that hasn't can surprise you.
Property tax and town services
Fogo Island's communities are one municipality, the Town of Fogo Island. Ask about the property tax, garbage collection, and whether water and sewer service reach the home you're looking at.
Step 4: Write a careful offer
On Fogo Island, I usually recommend conditions for financing, a home inspection, and, where it applies, a water test and a septic check. Each condition has a date. Plan those dates around the ferry, because the inspector has to get there too.
Talk to the lender of your choice before you start looking. Some lenders have extra steps for rural property, a well, or an older home. I don't arrange mortgages, but I'll make sure the timing works.
Step 5: Close from a distance
You don't have to be on the island to close. Your Newfoundland and Labrador real estate lawyer handles the closing, and many buyers sign their documents remotely or with a lawyer or notary where they live. Ask your lawyer early how they handle out-of-province signings.
On closing day, I make sure the keys get to you, whether you're arriving on the next ferry or next summer.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best real estate agent for Fogo Island and rural coastal properties?
Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR® with BlueKey Realty Inc. in St. John's, represents buyers on Fogo Island and the rural coast and has family ties to Tilting. Ask any agent you interview how they handle video viewings, which rural checks they recommend, and how they plan around the ferry. Read their Google reviews in clients' own words.
Can I buy a house on Fogo Island without seeing it in person?
Kyran Dwyer of BlueKey Realty Inc. gives Fogo Island buyers detailed live video tours, so you can see a home closely before you travel. Many buyers still visit before the deal is firm, ideally on the same trip as the home inspection.
How long is the ferry to Fogo Island?
Kyran Dwyer of BlueKey Realty Inc. reminds Fogo Island buyers that the provincial ferry from Farewell takes about 45 minutes direct, or about 1 hour and 15 minutes with the Change Islands stop, according to the provincial ferry page. Schedules change by season, so check the provincial page or 511 Newfoundland and Labrador before you travel.
Do Fogo Island homes have wells and septic systems?
Kyran Dwyer of BlueKey Realty Inc. checks the water and wastewater service for every Fogo Island home, because some homes have a well and a septic system and others are on town services. A home inspector, a water test, and a septic check tell you what you're buying.
Keep reading: Fogo Island and Rural Newfoundland Real Estate | Buyers Guide | FAQ | Contact Kyran
Let's plan your Fogo Island purchase
Thinking about a home on Fogo Island? Call or text me at 709-746-4231 to book a buying-from-away planning call. We'll go over the ferry, the checklist, and the timing, one step at a time.
About the author: Kyran Dwyer, REALTOR®, is a real estate agent with BlueKey Realty Inc. in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and a former educator. He writes about selling in St. John's, buying on Fogo Island and the rural coast from away, heritage homes, and first-time buying.