Before You Buy A Lakefront Property For Sale Near Me

Living in a lakefront property is a dream that many have. The idea of having a cup of coffee while you sit on your porch and marvel at the beauty of some of the vast lakes offered by the United States can be breathtaking. This might be why many chose to travel to lake destinations and search for lake homes for rent near me or lake cabin rentals near me to spend a few days vacation with their family. Taking a break from city life and scurrying to a secluded lakehouse is just what everybody needs to get some mental peace. Some even consider living in lakehouses permanently. If you’re one of those people planning to permanently shift to a lake house or buy one for family vacations, our guide will help you with the different destinations you can explore before you start searching for lakefront property for sale near me.

It is important to know a few things before you buy a lakefront property. Let’s go over these first to give you an idea of what to expect when searching for lakefront land for sale near me.

What To Know Before You Buy A Lakefront Property

Here are a few things you should know before you buy lakefront property.

Higher Insurance Rates

Many people find this very surprising that lakefront properties come with a higher insurance rate. There are a few indicators insurance companies look for when determining home insurance for lakehouse properties. Properties near the lake can have hefty insurance as the property can be prone to floods. Other things like nearby safety amenities like the fire departments or fire hydrants also play a role in the insurance rates. A great tip before you buy a lakefront property is to ring a few insurance companies and get a quote. This is important as many people only realize the hefty insurances after purchasing the property.

Difficult To Finance

Many lakefront properties are not vacation homes but second homes and the loans regarding second homes vary. Then there is the aspect that you won’t be living in the lakefront property which can lead to a hike in maintenance costs or other costs thus affecting your loan package. In such scenarios, it is important to get in touch with a local lender who would be more than capable to answer all your questions and also guide you to the best possible option when it comes to financing the property.

Lake Areas Have Rules

Yes, this is very important to understand as every lake area have their own sets of rules and regulations that need to be followed. For example, at some lakefront properties, you can not build a dock for your home. You need to check with the local authorities what you can and can not do with your property.

Know The Area

When buying your dream house, it may look great in pictures but when you get there you get to know the extent of problems that you may face. For example, in pictures, you will never know whether the lake is shallow or deep or whether you can ride a boat in it. You won’t notice tree fields under the water that can interact with your boat and make it impossible to ride through it. This can’t be seen in the pictures. Hence, get in touch with a local real estate agent to help guide you with the property and the region around it.

Now that you know some of the things associated with lakefront properties, you’re ready to make your decision on whether or not you still want a lakefront property.

Before we go over the steps on how to buy lakefront property for sale near me, let’s look at the top 5 lake towns to help you start the search of lake houses for sale near me or waterfront homes for sale near me.

Top 5 Lake Towns To Find Lakefront Property For Sale Near Me

Not all places are exactly worthy of searching lakefront property for sale near me. You need to sit and write down all the things that you expect to be in these lake towns. For example, if you enjoy having nights out, then a lake town with lots of bars and clubs can be the best choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a quiet little lake town then the hustle and bustle that comes with bars and clubs might not be of your choosing. Here is our list of the top 5 lake towns where you can start searching for lakefront property for sale near me.

If you’re looking for lakefront homes for sale in texas, then this might not be the list for you. However, there are lakefront homes for sale in texas and you can search them on real estate listings across different websites. Here, we will only look at the top 5 lake towns.

Branson

Filled with music and many other nightlife attractions, Branson is a lake town destination found near two of the most popular Missouri lakes. You can find many types of lake homes here. Watched the Ozarks and are inspired by the lake houses in the TV series? Well, Branson is a great spot for you to search for lake of the Ozarks homes for sale. The destination is lively and the locals here are welcoming as Branson has become a tourist spot. However, if you’re looking for a secluded quiet little place, then perhaps you should start searching for lakefront property for sale near me at Lake Taneycomo. It is one of the quieter lakes in the town and a great destination for fishing trouts.

Searching for waterfront land for sale near me or lake cabins for sale near me at Branson will give you an idea of the prices in these areas. Expect to pay around $350,000 to $650,000 for a single-family home.

East Stroudsburg

East Stroudsburg is known for its beautiful lakes and the serene wilderness. It is a great spot for those looking for lakefront property for sale near me just outside the hustle and bustle of the city. The place has several waterparks, resorts, and historic towns that you can explore and enjoy. It is a sensational place to live in.

You can easily search for cheap lake lots for sale near me or lakefront property near me at East Stroudsburg, however, if you have a huge budget then you should know that prime lakefront properties here are the best option. Prime lakefront properties are expensive and can set you back $900,000 to $1.2 million.

Port Clinton

Looking for calm and quietness? Don’t have a huge budget to spend on lake houses? Port Clinton is waiting for you. This place is charming and feels rustic. Lake Erie is a great spot to start searching for lakefront property for sale near me as there are many different beaches and islands nearby that you can travel to and enjoy your days. Homes here are considerably cheaper and you can find a decent-sized lake house for a single family for $300,000. There is a lot of entertainment at Port Clinton if you feel like Lake Erie is too calm for the weekends as waterparks, stores, restaurants, and more are just a few miles away.

Jamestown

Sitting near Chautauqua Lake, this town is affordable when it comes to lakefront properties. The town is a rather quiet place to be, however, there is an annual comedy festival here making it a great comedy destination. The area is filled with older lakefront properties and your search for lakefront property for sale near me may result in you purchasing the property as the property prices here are that good!

Alexandria

Found at Douglas County, Alexandria is home to hundreds of lakes and where there are lakes there is no shortage of lakefront properties. With so many waterfront properties on the market, your search for lakefront property for sale near me or lakefront homes for sale near me will result in affordable options. You can find single-family lake homes here at $100,000 but if you wish you get a larger place, then the price tag would increase. However, it is still the cheapest lake town to live in.

5 Steps On How To Buy A Lakefront Property Near Me

Here are the five steps that you should follow before you start searching for a lakefront property for sale near me.

1. Estimate Your Budget

When you’re considering buying a lakefront property for sale near me or a waterfront house for sale near me, you already know what amount of money you have available to spend. However, this is one of the most inefficient ways to make a purchase. It is always important to sit down and crunch some numbers to help you determine how much money you can truly splurge on lakefront property.

You also need to do some quick math on how much your monthly expense would be to maintain the lakefront property. Factor in all the fees and this will help you with getting a realistic budget figure in your mind.

2. Find A Specialist Real Estate Agent

You’ll come across many different real estate agents when you’re on your search for a lakefront property for sale near me. They will try to sell you just about anything to make a sale which is what you need to avoid. Having a real estate agent specializing in lakefront properties can help you get the best deal possible. These guys are experts in these types of properties and can guide you through the pros and cons of living on lakefront property.

Do not make the mistake of approaching any real estate agent as they won’t be able to understand your needs, provide you with the best solution and even guide you. They’re just there to make a quick sale and move on. If you’re investing money, it is your right to know where your money is going towards. Having a specialized real estate agent who can understand your needs and guide you is the best step forward in searching for lakefront property for sale near me.

3. Think About The Purpose Of The Lakefront House

You need to decide whether you’ll be living there permanently or just head down to the lakehouse for family vacations. This can help you make financial sense of things. If you’re looking to live there permanently then you need to know that your lakehouse will not always look as serene as you would hope during the four seasons.

If you’re searching for lakefront cottages for sale near me to purchase for family vacations, then the rest of the days when you’re not using the lakehouse you can rent it out. Students in the area and corporates are always on the lookout for places to rent for activities and events which can generate side income for you and pay off your maintenance costs of the lakehouse.

4. Research Is Key

We can not stress enough that research is important. The USA is home to many different lakes with various geographic differences. Some have gorgeous mountains while others are neverending water bodies. That’s not all. All these lakes have different communities hence you must do your research to find out about the locality, the region, and more.

If you’re thinking of buying a lakefront property for sale near me for the sole purpose of investment, then research into tourist spots and lake houses near those spots. Find out any popular amenities near the area of the lakehouse, this will help determine whether the place is good to rent for tourists.

5. Tour The Lakehouses

Just like how potential buyers take a tour of houses before purchasing them, you should take out some time to search for lakefront property for sale near me to get a quick tour of it. This will give you an idea of the property, the renovation required, the area in general, and other important details.