There are a lot of benefits to purchasing a home in Forsyth County, especially if you’re someone who has worked hard to realize your dream of living on the lake. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, a retirement home, or a primary residence, buying a lake house can be an exciting process. However, as with anything in life, it’s important to remember that living along a large body of water isn’t always going to be beautiful sunsets and serene mornings. Homes near or on the lake have their own unique set of struggles, so it’s important to begin the process with your eyes wide open.
SELECT AN AGENT WITH EXPERIENCE
Lake homes aren’t like regular homes, so you don’t want to make the mistake of hiring a regular agent. When it comes to waterfront properties, you’ll want to make sure that you’re working with someone who can explain the various aspects of owning a lake house and who has the right experience to back it up.
DON’T JUST LOOK AT THE HOME – CONSIDER THE WHOLE PROPERTY
Purchasing a waterfront home is about more than the home itself—it’s about the water that goes along with it. Therefore, don’t make the mistake of falling in love with the house, only to discover that the water is murky, filled with invasive species, or regularly traversed by noisy powerboats.
It’s important to take some time to think about your reasons for wanting to live on the lake. If it’s about swimming, fishing, or peaceful relaxation, make a point to check out the water quality and consider speaking with the neighbors to get a better idea of what area water traffic looks like.
LAKE ASSOCIATIONS
When it comes to waterfront properties, many lakes require homeowners to join the lake association that governs the water and the beaches, so it’s important to remember that your property’s shoreline may be the subject of various regulations.
For Lake Lanier, while it’s not mandatory to join the lake association, it’s worth noting that the water—including the shoreline—is governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For the most part, this shouldn’t be an issue, but they may be able to dictate what you can and cannot do with your property, especially if it jeopardizes the integrity of the shoreline.
Before you buy, it’s wise to find out what types of rules govern the property and to assess whether they are things you can live with.
PAY ATTENTION TO EXTRA EXPENSES
While lake homes frequently promise a great return on investment, keep in mind that they are often filled with extra expenses, such as increased property taxes and higher insurance premiums. In addition, it’s important to be aware of the fact that most waterfront septic systems need to be routinely checked to ensure the lake isn’t being polluted. While this may not seem like much, these checks can be expensive, especially if they require the replacement of an aging septic system.
CONCLUSION
Whether you’ve just started shopping or you’ve been searching for a waterfront property for several months, I have a solid knowledge base to work from and understand that shopping for a lake front home is very different from shopping for a land-locked home.
If you’d like to see what types of properties are available or would like some more information about what the market is like along Lake Lanier, I’d love to help.
Please call me.
Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789
