If you are looking for a vacation home, now is the perfect time to buy. Real estate values have slipped and that means that the place on the lake that you have always dreamed of owning may finally be within your reach.
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There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a lake house. First, find a location that you can easily get to from your current home. Is the lake within a comfortable driving distance or close to an airport? The most frustrating thing for many buyers of vacation homes is that they don’t get to spend as much time there as they would like. One of the reasons is people pick a place that is over four hours away and tough to get to for a short weekend trip.
If you will be driving to your new lake house on weekends, try to pick a place within 150 miles. This will make it possible to head there on a Friday evening and come back Sunday night without feeling like you spent the bulk of your time on the road. Remember, this is supposed to be a relaxing get-a-way and you don’t want the added stress of the drive to spoil it.
Other features you will want to look for in your lake house are access to a dock and a lake view. These features might add a little more to the price of the home but will be worth it and will add to the resale value of the property. Also, try to find a home with some privacy. A wooded lot or a home back from the road is desirable.
