Are you looking to create a waterside oasis at home? Learn how a bit of waterside development can create the perfect fun-zone for the outdoor enthusiasts.
Have you always dreamed of living in paradise? Whether to you that means spending your days fishing, sunbathing, or boating, they all have one thing in common--water.
If building a lake house is finally within grasp, you may want to get started right away. However, there are a few key differences between building (or buying) a home by the water vs your average home.
Making mistakes or overlooking the importance of certain factors can cause you a lot of money and stress down the line. So, make sure you're prepared for all the unique challenges that come with waterfront development.
Do you want to know what we're talking about? Keep reading to learn 10 tips to consider when building a lakeside house.
- Pick the Right Location
Just like with any other home, location is key. You still want to take into account how far your possible home would be from the grocery store, entertainment options, and, if you plan to live there full time, work and the bank.
But you also want to make sure it's located on the right lake for you. Some lakes are better for boating and jet skiing, while others are better for swimming.
Don't forget to consider the rest of the area, too. Do you want to have plenty of neighbours or do you want something more secluded?
- Research the Land
Once you've found a good location and lake to build your home on, you'll want to research the land. Just because it's next to the lake, doesn't mean you can (or should) build a home on it.
Check the local laws before purchasing. You don't want to purchase land if the government controls the land immediately surrounding the lake. This means that if they need that land for something else, they have the right to bulldoze your house.
- Check the Water Depth
Do you plan on buying a sailboat once you finish your waterside home? Well, you better
check the water depth first.
All boats have water depth requirements. You don't want to get your heart set on a large sailboat and later discover that the lake is too shallow for it.
- Make Sure You Like the View
Of course, you'll want your home to have a great view of the lake. When you're searching for properties, you may let sticker shock get the best of you and convince yourself you'll be happy in a home with a poor view to save money. But you'll likely end up regretting this.
Instead, it's better to wait and save up more so you can have the house of your dreams. You'll probably want your land to be wide enough, so several rooms can have a nice view of the lake.
- Factor Insurance into Your Cost
Many people opt for a lake house because they think it's not as risky as a beach house. While you may not have to worry about hurricanes, you'll still have to spend extra on insurance.
Flood insurance, in particular, will be necessary in case the worst happens. So, make sure you factor the cost of insurance into your budget moving forward.
- Consider Your Needs
Before you get started with your waterfront design, consider what you will be using it for. Will you be living here full time, or will it just be a vacation home? This will make a huge difference in your
home design.
You may opt to include several bedrooms and a large living room if it'll just be a vacation home, so there's room to invite all your loved ones to stay with you. However, if this will be your permanent home, you may not need all those extra bedrooms, and can instead have a bigger kitchen instead.
- Build a Screened-In Patio
It's no secret that you'll want to enjoy your lake view whenever possible. But you're not always going to want to be in the water.
A patio gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the nice weather and scenery while you relax or eat dinner. But where there's water, there's bound to be bugs! A screened-in patio will keep the bugs at bay, so you won't have to worry about getting bit by mosquitos while you're trying to relax.
- Get Good Materials for Your Dock
You'll probably want to include a dock leading out into the water. Even if you don't plan on keeping a boat, a dock will make a great place to fish, eat lunch, or sunbathe, so you can be right next to the water.
A dock may seem like an easy add-on. However, you'll want to make sure it's built with quality materials that can stand up to all the wear and tear it'll face being on the lake. Research companies, like
Decks and Docks Lumber CO, who specializes in material for outdoor docks.
- Have a Regular Maintenance Plan
Even with the right materials and care, your home and dock will experience damage over time due to exposure to the elements. Living by the water leads to an increased risk of mold, rot, or corrosion. If left alone, these problems can worsen and be a real nightmare to fix.
You'll want to have a regular maintenance plan to check the condition of your home and fix any problems before they worsen. Of course, you'll also want to set aside enough money to cover the cost of any damages.
- Build an Outdoor Mudroom
Do you (or your kids or grandkids) plan to spend a lot of time swimming in the lake? This could lead to a lot of muddy feet running through your home.
Building an outdoor mudroom next to your home is the best way to avoid this. Make sure you have a place to rinse your feet off and hang wet towels to keep the inside of your home nice and clean.
Tips for Waterfront Development
Owning a lake house may be the dream, but it's no picnic getting there.
There are a lot of things to consider with waterfront development. Be sure to follow these tips before buying property on a lake.
Do you want to keep your lake home safe? Then check out
this article on home security systems.
