If you’re one of the 7 million Americans pining for a second home, lakefront living can provide the great escape you need. Expect the process for buying a lake house to be wildly different than buying a home in a traditional subdivision.

With the beauty of waterfront living comes a host of new challenges. Here are 10 things you need to know when buying a lake house.    

1. Depth of Lake

Lake depth is a critical thing to know when buying a lakefront home. A gradual increase in depth is a much different safety concern than an immediate ten-foot drop right off the shoreline.

If you have a family, you’ll want to plan for the appropriate safety precautions after you choose a home. The depth of the lake also affects whether you need a full boat dock or can simply tether your watercraft along the shoreline. 

2. Nearby Activities

Are you looking for a peaceful home away from home or do you prefer to be near lots of activities? It’s important to make this distinction before you begin your search for waterfront property.

Lakefront properties near popular attractions like festivals are more likely to attract large crowds. This affects your ability to come and go from the property as you like if road access is limited.

3. Public vs. Private Lake

Do you want to live on a public lake or a private lake? A private lake means there is no public access point on the lake.

The lake is completely surrounded by privately owned land and/or residences. Public lakes are accessible by multiple access points including homes, roadsides and local parks.

Expect a public lake to have activity 24 hours a day 7 days per week. If you feel more secure in a well-populated area, this can be a major bonus. 

4. Distance from Home 

Buying a second property that is more than 3 hours from your home can become taxing very quickly. Consider how far the lake house will be from your primary residence.

If you’re looking for a retirement home, choose a lake house that’s relatively close to family and friends. This will make it easier to visit for special occasions and make holiday traffic easier to bear. 

5. Expertise of Realtor

Work with realtors who have experience selling lake homes. They’ll understand what to ask sellers when hunting for the right property for you.

Experienced realtors know how to assess things like dock permitting, quality of water, sun exposure, and aquatic lake plants that are critical to ensuring you are making a good investment.

When you work with a new realtor, check their biography for experience in ‘Lake Property sales. Finding a realtor local to the area where you want to buy is the icing on the cake. 

6. Local Regulations

The idea of going jet skiing or boating whenever you want can be a major advantage of lakeside living. But public and private lakes have very different restrictions on the times you can access the water and what activities are allowed on the water. 

When you visit homes with your realtor, find out whether there are speed limits on the lake and whether your equipment will have a horsepower restriction.

Some lakes don’t allow jet skis at all in an effort to protect the safety of the local wildlife. There may also be regulations on your dock size which can limit the type of boat you’re allowed to have. 

Find out whether you are allowed to rent on the offseason and whether the rentals can be managed remotely. Asking these questions upfront will save you a lot of money in fines and conflicts with neighbors down the road. 

7. Aquatic Plant Growth

The aquatic plant growth in a lake impact what activities are possible in and around the water. Invasive aquatic plants are a nuisance that spreads quickly and throws off the ecological balance of a lake or pond. 

Too many invasive species make it impossible to swim and can also impact your restrict your boating activities. If these activities matter, you might want to skip any lakefront properties that don’t have a healthy local ecology. 

8. Westerly Exposure

How much sunlight will your lakefront home get throughout the day? This is one of the most important questions you’ll need to be answered on your house hunt.

Westerly exposure can add up to 4 hours of sunlight to your days on the lake. Depending on the time of year and weather, these hours of sunshine can increase. 

You’ll also increase your chances to watch beautiful sunsets in the evenings. If you prefer to protect your skin from blazing sunlight, however, you might opt for easterly or northern facing properties.

These properties provide more shade and are a great option if you’d rather catch the sun rising in the morning. 

9. Lakefront vs Water Access

Lakefront properties mean you actually live directly on the water. Water access communities are those that include the option of going boating, fishing or swimming through a public or private access point.

There are advantages to either option but it’s important to learn which one you are buying when you search for a property. Some lakeside subdivisions offer amenities like clubhouses, bait shops and shower facilities next to the lake that are helpful to seasonal residents. 

10. HOA Fees

Check with your realtor to see whether there will be any homeowner’s association fees associated with your lake house purchase. If the home is located in a subdivision with amenities, these fees can rack up quickly.

Depending on how often you use the property each year, it might not be worth it to pay hundreds of dollars per month to live in a lakeside community. 

Buying a Lake House

Buying a lake house provides you with the perfect vacation getaway for rest and relaxation. If you love nightlife and activities, choose a public lake near popular tourist attractions.

Second properties can make a great investment if you remember to ask the right questions before signing any contracts. For more information and tips, check our blog for updates.