5 Things To Consider When Purchasing Lakefront Real Estate In Florida

No matter which way you put it, buying a home is always an arduous and taxing process, even for the most seasoned homebuyers. But then you had the bright idea and decide to throw in “lakefront” into the plethora of “must haves” and the process get’s intricate and complex real quick.

Fortunately for you, real estate agents who regularly deal with lakefront properties can guide you effectively throughout the ins and outs of this arduous process. Here are 5 tips to consider when purchasing lakefront real estate in Central Florida.

1. Find A Real Estate Agent

This goes without saying, whichever area you’re looking to purchase real estate in, be sure to find a real estate agent who specializes in lakefront and have your interests looked out for. The average real estate agent probably doesn’t have detailed knowledge of lakefront properties in your area and all that it involves in finding the best deals on the perfect property for you. You might think you’ve found the best deal on the planet, but the reason it’s the best deal on the planet is because the water is too shallow and you can’t get your boat in and out. Well, that’s no good.

2. Location, Location, Location

“Take into consideration the property itself more than just the structure”, says the folks at Architecture System - it really is all about location, location, location. Oftentimes, people fall in love with the house itself, but once they purchase, they quickly realize the view isn’t all that great, it might be difficult to get to the shoreline, or there might be a lack of privacy. You can always change the house, you can’t change the property location, so buy a property that you really love.

3. Do Your Homework

Find out exactly what you can do with your lakefront property. Maybe you want to add a dock or a seawall - be sure to do your homework early to ensure any additions. What’s the point in committing to purchasing a million dollar home if you can’t really make it your own? At the same time, you can check and see if there are any restrictions on your lake, some areas might have restrictions to jet skis and other watercraft, or no fishing allowed.

4. Fit Your Lifestyle

Choose a property that truly fits your lifestyle. In your home search, you might have found a gorgeous lakefront property for sale in Windermere, but you’re not allowed to wakeboard on the lake and you’re a professional wakeboarder - this probably isn’t going to work out well for you. Focus on why you want a lakefront property, if you want to enjoy lake fishing every weekend, don’t buy a property on a lake that doesn’t allow fishing.

5. Good Bones & Acts of God

Make sure the home you find is structurally sound and has some good bones that can withstand the elements. Florida is naturally susceptible to Hurricanes and lakefront homes are abused a whole lot more by wind and rain than others, so take some extra precautions and invest in storm shutters as a preventative measure.

At the end of the day, it’s all about doing your homework and finding the right property at the right price point in the right location.