Did you know that there are more than 30,000 lakes scattered through the state of Florida? They cover over 3 million acres in total.
As a result of this, there is plenty of Florida lakefront property available for those who want it. You can give yourself access to a gorgeous waterfront view by letting your real estate agent know that you want to purchase a lakefront property in The Sunshine State.
Before you pull the trigger on a piece of Florida lakefront property, though, there are some things that you’re going to want to keep in the back of your mind. They’ll ensure that you’re able to make the smartest investment possible when you buy a property that sits right next to a lake.
Here is a complete guide to purchasing a Florida lakefront property. It should help you narrow down your choices and land on a property that you’ll love in the end.
Start by Figuring Out Which Florida Lake You Want to Live On
As we alluded to earlier, there are a lot of lakes located in Florida. And while they don’t all have homes next to them, there are quite a few that will provide you with an opportunity to enjoy Florida lakefront living.
It’s going to be your job to do your homework on all of the different lakes that will be options for you. You should read up on the best lakes in Florida and think about which ones might appeal to you the most.
This is often going to be the most time-consuming part of the entire process when you’re on the hunt for a Florida lakefront property. You should spend a few weeks or maybe even a few months researching Florida lakes that you might like. It’ll help you narrow down your options to just a few lakes that you like more than all the rest.
Look at Some of the Florida Lakefront Property Options in Your Preferred Areas
Once you have a better idea of which Florida lakes you would like to live by, you can officially get your Florida lakefront property search underway! You should be able to locate a long list of properties in your preferred areas in no time at all.
The internet has made it so easy for people to look at a large number of housing options within minutes right from their couches. You can simply read this blog if you are looking for the best lakefront homes in Florida. It’s going to shed a lot of light on what kinds of homes might be available to you at this moment.
Consider Which of the Houses on Florida Lakes Are the Most Appealing to You
After you’ve looked at a bunch of Florida waterfront properties online, you should speak with your real estate agent and have them show you some of the ones you like most in person. This is going to give you a chance to see what kind of waterfront view each one has to offer, and it’s also going to allow you to take tours of the homes themselves.
When you’re in the market for Florida lakefront property, you obviously want to find something that’s going to provide the most spectacular views possible. But at the same time, you also want to track down a home that you’re going to love inside and out.
You shouldn’t allow a fantastic waterfront view to make you forget about all of the work that a house might need. The view shouldn’t overshadow any shortcomings within a home and make you regret your purchase later.
Don’t be afraid to spend at least a few weeks touring different Florida lakefront properties through and through. By taking this approach, you’re going to be able to start to hone in on the properties that are really doing it for you.
Find Out Which Florida Lakefront Properties Provide the Most Access to the Water
Here’s the thing that many people don’t always realize about Florida lakefront properties: Just because you’re buying one doesn’t automatically entitle you to waterway access!
That’s right. You could very well spend a bunch of money on a Florida lakefront property only to later learn that you can’t access the lake that it sits on directly. You could also do it only to later learn that you’re not allowed to build a dock or put a boat into the water right off the back of your house.
This is going to be a big problem for some people! It’s why you’re going to want to do your due diligence to find out how much access you’ll have to the water outside of lakefront homes. You might be surprised to see how limited that some houses actually are.
You should also Google “Riparian rights” and read up on them before you buy a Florida lakefront property. There is so much information out there on these rights and how they could affect you when you purchase a lakefront property.
Compare the Costs Associated With Different Florida Lakefront Properties
Buying a house that sits on any body of water is almost always going to cost you a pretty penny. There are only so many homes that sit on the water, which can work against you by driving the prices of these homes up.
With all of that being said, it’s worth noting that not all Florida lakefront properties are going to break the bank. There are some that will cost over $1 million. But there are also plenty that will come in well below that price point.
You should shop around and compare the costs that come along with various Florida lakefront properties. You’re usually going to find that there will be at least a few homes that will fit into your price range.
And if you can’t find something that you can afford? Don’t give up hope!
There are always new lakefront properties being built in Florida every day. This is helping to stabilize the prices on lakefront properties and making them more affordable. So you might be able to buy one later on down the line if you keep your eyes peeled.
Check Out the Area Surrounding a Florida Lakefront Property
It’s very easy for people to fall in love with a Florida lakefront property and forget to look at everything else that surrounds it. You don’t want to make this mistake since it could result in you moving into a home that you love that is located in an area that you hate.
Outside of taking tours of Florida lakefront properties themselves, you should also take tours of everything that surrounds them. You should see how close the nearest supermarket is, find out what the local school system is like, and discover the other amenities in the immediate area.
You don’t just want to love a Florida lakefront property. And you want to love all of the other things that are in its area. Those things are going to make life more convenient for you, and they’re also going to have an impact on what your home is going to be worth as you move forward.
Make Sure You’re 100% Prepared for Lakefront Living
There are a whole host of benefits that you’re going to get to enjoy when you purchase a Florida lakefront property. For example, living next to a lake can help you unwind and lower your stress levels almost as soon as you move in. It can also help your bottom line in some cases by providing you with rental opportunities that could bring in additional income.
But lakefront living isn’t always going to be as amazing as you might think. There are going to be certain downsides that you’re going to have to learn to live with.
For instance, lakes tend to attract mosquitos, which means that you’re going to have to live with bugs swarming around all the time. Lakes also attract all kinds of other critters, which means you’re going to have to get used to the idea of wildlife living right on the outskirts of your home.
These things aren’t the worst things in the world. But they might take some getting used to. You’re going to want to make sure you’re fully prepared for a lakefront living before buying a Florida lakefront property.
Buy a Gorgeous Florida Lakefront Property Today
Do you love the idea of living on a Florida lakefront property? If so, you should start shopping for one today.
Utilize the guide that we’ve provided for you here to begin putting together a list of Florida lakefront property options. You should be able to find a bunch of houses that you really like within just a month or so.
From there, you should analyze both the houses themselves and the areas surrounding them. It’ll put you in a better position to be able to make a smart decision when purchasing a Florida lakefront property.
Get more useful tips on buying real estate by browsing through the other articles that we’ve posted on our blog.
