If you love ice skating and the great outdoors but haven’t experienced skating on a lake, you’re missing out. There’s no better feeling than gliding freely on ice while taking in the cool, fresh air. But luckily for us who live on the lake, this is an experience we’re fortunate to be able to enjoy in our backyard.
In cold-climate regions, due to lake stratification patterns, a solid layer of ice on top of cold-weathered lakes makes this sport possible. At Lake Homes Lifestyles, we’re all about the lake life, whether fishing in the summer or ice skating in the winter. In honor of one of our favorite winter activities, check out these top ice-skating lakes across the globe.
Located in the province of Alberta, this gorgeous lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Due to these natural wonders, some have referred to it as “Banff’s best-kept secret.” However, as a heads up, Two Jack Lake is not an official skating area, and it does not have skate rentals or Zambonis. As such, you’ll need to bring your own skates and be more cautious approaching the lake. If you’re looking for a more formalized selection of ice-skating lakes, check out Lake Louise in this same province.
When deciding which of the many ice-skating lakes in Europe to visit, this great lake is certainly one to Czech out (pun intended). Located in the market town of Frymburk in the Czech Republic, this lake is situated right by a comfortable resort. But don’t underestimate its cozy vibes for lack of impressiveness. Lipno Lake is actually the longest natural ice-skating track in Europe, stretching six miles in length — enough for multiple skating days without redundancy. As you skate by, you can enjoy amazing views of cute towns and snowy mountains emblematic of central Europe.
As a country, Sweden is one of the most popular ice-skating destinations worldwide. And if you’re looking specifically for ice-skating lakes, look no further than Lake Vanern, the largest lake in Sweden and the third-largest in Europe. Its size stretches across three provinces: Vastergotland, Dalsland, and Varmland. Instead of overly manicured scenery, this lake boasts rustic, natural beauty and amazing sunsets. What could be more picturesque as you skate along this lake?
When it comes to ice-skating lakes, Shichahai Lake is probably the most fun-filled lake. There’s a reason this Beijing lake is so popular with children. Home to an 18-foot-long ice slide, ice bumper cars, ice boats, and ice chairs, there’s no limit to the excitement on this lake in the winter. If you decide to visit, the shorter days are no worry. Night skating is available, and there are plenty of surrounding lights for safety.
Located here in the U.S., Keystone Lake, Colorado, is the largest Zamboni polished outdoor rink in North America. And even better, it’s located on a natural lake. Suppose you visit without bringing your own ice-skating equipment, no worries. At this impressive, beautiful lake, you can rent skates for the day. If you’re into hockey, you can also rent pucks and hockey sticks for a game with friends. After a full day of enjoying the ice, you can check out the nearby Adventure Center for a cup of hot chocolate.
When selling your lake home, and especially when setting your price, you need to think like a buyer. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, shares a few questions to get you in the buyer mindset.
“Would I Rent This?” Think about whether or not you would rent your property for a week if you saw it on rental websites. Try to take emotion out of your thinking and act as if you’ve never seen it before.
“Would I Rent This Again?” After asking yourself if you would rent your property, ask if you would rent it again. Think about if your house has things that would make you come back over other lake properties.
“Would I Pay More Than List?” Before setting a price, ask yourself if you would pay more than the price you plan to list.
“Would I Buy at This Price?” You should also consider if you would pay the current list price of the property. The price you paid for the house a few years ago is probably relatively the same, if just slightly higher.
“Is it The Best Value In This Market?” The best value doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price. Working with an expert lake agent helps you determine if your property is the best value in your market. Additionally, you want your property to be the best value compared to other lakes.
When It Doesn’t Sell, You Won the Bidding! Every day your property doesn’t sell, you win the bidding by getting to keep it for another day. This can help you determine if you need to change your mindset to a buyer’s perspective.
Selling your home can be challenging if you don’t have the right mindset. Using these questions and guidelines helps you to think like a buyer and get your lake property sold. Connect with expert lake agents at lakehomes.com and sell your home faster.
Sellers often get confused when their lake home doesn’t sell. Asking questions helps to get rid of the confusion, but some questions are better than others. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, discusses questions to avoid asking when your lake home doesn’t sell.
“How Many Views?” Sellers ask how many views their property has, but this can be deceptive. There’s no good answer to this question for sellers. If a property has millions of views, they’ll wonder why it hasn’t sold. If it doesn’t have any views, they wonder why it’s not getting exposure. The only number of views that matters is the one that buys the property.
“Can We Promote It ‘Better’?” Some agents promote homes better than others, so this can be a valid question. However, if the property is populating in the MLS and other websites, the consumer knows it’s there; they just aren’t willing to buy it.
“Have an Open House?” Buyers for lake homes typically come from some distance away. This means they won’t arrange their weekend around your open house schedule. They know if your home is for sale and they’re coming into town, they can see it.
“Should I Change Agents?” Has your agent properly promoted and priced your home and given sound advice? If they’ve done all this, you probably already have a good agent. Once they bring the buyers, it’s on you to get the negotiating going.
After Exposure, Price Fixes Everything. When asking yourself why your house hasn’t sold, the answer is almost always the price. An appropriate price will answer all of these questions.
Be the Best VALUE. This doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price, but being at a price that people are willing to invest in your home. Buyers are ready to buy lake homes but aren’t willing to overpay.
Talk with your agent when confused about why your lake house isn’t selling. Every agent would bring a buyer if they knew one that would get a transaction. An unsold home always boils down to price. Visit lakehomes.com to connect with expert lake agents ready to help get your home sold.
Are you in the process of selling your lake home? If so, one thing you want to avoid is the stress and suffering that can follow by not taking proper steps for a smooth process. Two main reasons lake homes typically don’t sell are lack of exposure and price. Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn Phillips explains how to maximize this suffering; that way, you can hopefully avoid these mistakes when pricing your home!
After Exposure, Price Fixes Everything – This refers to the price at which the house is sold.
Overprice: If you think of pricing the house because of things you put into it or anything along those lines, think again. That has nothing to do with the market; these are simply wants due to emotional attachment.
Planning “The Haggle”: If you plan to go high so the buyer offers lower, resulting in a middle-ground number you’d still be happy with, you should reconsider it. Our data tells us that homes that are appropriately priced come in at the list price or slightly above. If it’s overpriced, they tend to drop significantly over time.
“Test the Market”: Generally when people test the market, they never figure out how they are going to score it. What is the test? Is it one week? Two weeks? Testing the market usually ends up being an excuse to overprice, and the test almost always fails.
DOM (Days on Market): The longer the home sits on the market, the longer it becomes a problem for consumers.
“Death Spiral”: Consumers are more informed now than at any other time in history. The more things you use, the more likely you are to be caught in this death spiral that is hard to escape.
Nobody wants to maximize their suffering when it comes to selling. If you stick with these different steps, it’ll definitely happen. One of the best ways to avoid this is to price appropriately. If you aren’t sure the best way to go about that, reach out to a lake agent at LakeHomes.com. They would love to be involved in the process with you.
Living life at the lake provides fun, laughter, memories, and more! Even when it comes time to sell, memories will be made in the process. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, goes into detail on why you shouldn’t price in those memories when selling.
“Gateway to Memories”: People buying these lake homes can already picture their own memories that they will be making at the house. Buying a lake home doesn’t come from the need of simply having shelter. It comes from the desire to have these amazing experiences that come along with it.
Whose Memories?: You, as the seller, have important memories at that lake home. While they are important to you, they aren’t that important to the buyer. The buyers are wanting to create their own memories. However, you have an emotional attachment as the seller, making you think it has more financial value. Try to separate that due to the buyer not having that attachment.
Selling? Depersonalize (and Protect!): You have many things in the house that bring memories. You might want to put these things away; that way, it gives buyers a different feel to the home. You should also protect those valuables. You don’t want something happening to them while buyers look at your home.
Buying is Desire: You want to do things to where you aren’t pricing in memories. However, make it a way for the buyers to imagine creating their own memories in the house.
Selling is a Business Transaction: Think of your lake property as a stock. If you bought a stock at a certain price, it doesn’t necessarily matter. At the end of the day, it’s what the market says it’ll pay. You can always enjoy the memories later and not price how you feel depending on the memories.
Pricing a lake home can be difficult, especially when you begin to think of all the memories made there. If you’re still struggling with this today, reach out to one of our lake market experts at LakeHomes.com. They know the ins and outs and would be more than willing to help you in the process.
When you think of selling a lake home, or any home for that matter, you probably think of negotiating. Whether you’re great at it or if your skills could use a little practice, it’ll probably come into play. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, goes over 5 key tips for when the time of negotiating arrives.
Any Offer is Better than NO Offer!: Don’t get upset because somebody made a low offer. The people you should be upset with are the ones who didn’t make an offer at all. Having a low offer just means you have some started.
Don’t Get “Stuck” on Single Points: In negotiations, don’t let one thing hold you up. You should let it ebb and flow.
Agent Commission: You want an agent who brings their value.
Seller’s Compensation: If the buyer has made an offer and wants some compensation to help cover costs, figure out how that fits in.
Closing Costs: Similar to the seller’s compensation, find out how this will fit in with the negotiations.
Personal Property: Is there a boat, interior decor, whatever it might be, there is a way to find opportunities to help make the other party happy.
Cash Only Means Less Closing Risk: If the buyer makes a big deal about it being a cash offer, from the seller’s perspective, cash offers only matter if it is de-risking the deal. If you’re selling, you’re getting cash from somebody regardless.
Restructure Offers: Being able to find ways to work with the offer or make it mutually beneficial can help more than people might realize.
Be Creative: You can come up with some angle for a home that people might not think of. There are plenty of ways to be creative to help everyone.
Negotiating is something that comes along with buying or selling a home. However, if you take these tips into consideration, it can truly help with the process. As always, if you’re looking for more information regarding negotiating or have any other real estate questions, reach out to one of our lake experts at LakeHomes.com.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” As suggested in this line from his famous play, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare argues that a name is a convention used to distinguish people or objects that would otherwise have no other meaning or worth. This holds true for what you are about to discover with some of the names given to the lakes found here on LakeHomes.com.
As we inch closer to Halloween, we’ve compiled a list of lakes with spooky names that will give you goosebumps and have your imagination running wild. Are you ready to be spooked?
When the name Blood Pond is spoken, one can’t help but envision a vast pool of red where a beautiful lady emerges from its depths beneath the dark moonlit sky. Those familiar with the tale of Lady Bathory know all too well how the name could evoke such imagery. In fact, the locals have petitioned to have the name changed, fearing that it might negatively impact local tourism. However, Blood Pond has had no history of violence that comes remotely close to that of the tale of 17th-century Hungarian serial killer Countess Elizabeth Bathory.
Blood Pond Facts
Encompassing only 20 acres and with a maximum depth of 20 feet, Blood Pond is the go-to lake for those seeking privacy and seclusion. Not to say that the lake is without visitors; the lake’s size doesn’t accommodate the party atmosphere you would otherwise experience at a large lake. The abundance of fish makes this lake highly appealing for anglers, while its picturesque landscape makes for the perfect getaway for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Attractions Around Blood Pond
The lake is a popular destination for anglers looking for a fresh catch, while campers and glampers flock to the nearby campgrounds to experience nature’s full splendor. Those looking for a glamorous retreat often visit the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa, nestled amidst the picturesque White Mountains, only a few miles south of Blood Pond. Here, adventure seekers can indulge in many outdoor pursuits, including hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and whitewater rafting. At the same time, those looking for a relaxing escape can take advantage of the resort’s wellness services, such as facials, massages, a fitness center, water aerobics, and yoga classes.
Not to be confused with Sleepy Hollow, the infamous town that serves as the backdrop for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow Lake is a man-made lake located approximately 100 miles north of the village. Those looking to catch a glimpse of the legendary Headless Horseman in this area will be disappointed.
Sleepy Hollow Lake Facts
This 2.5-mile-long private lake is considered a hidden gem in upstate New York. Nestled along its shores is the lake home community of Sleepy Hollow Lake. Private residents of this community enjoy breathtaking lake views, a marina and boat launch, a community sports complex, and more! The lake is not limited to only the residents of Sleepy Hollow Lake, the majority of the 326-acre lake is open to the public.
Attractions Around Sleepy Hollow Lake
Those visiting the area can enjoy outdoor activities at the Catskills State Park or take a scenic drive on the 52-mile Catskills Mountains Scenic Byway. For visitors looking to experience riverboat cruising, the Hudson River, which runs adjacent to Sleepy Hollow Lake, offers river cruise excursions. This is particularly popular in autumn when leaf-peepers can experience the vibrant colors of the New England area’s fall foliage.
Lodging options in the area are plentiful, varying in price and amenities. But for those interested in a unique lodging experience, A Tiny House Resort, a family-owned, 45-acre, tiny cabin rental community located in the Catskill Mountains, is a great option. With a total of 15 tiny houses to choose from, some home options are waterfront, and some have water views and wooded views; the pet-friendly, camp-style resort features a mile of creek frontage, a waterfall, and an art studio.
Even though the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 occurred in Massachusetts, the incident nonetheless rocked the entire New England region. A series of events, which include a smallpox outbreak and ongoing threat of attacks by Indigenous tribes, along with a strong belief in the devil and rivalry with nearby Salem Town, laid the groundwork for accusations of the practice of witchcraft among the inhabitants of the small village. A total of 150 men and women were imprisoned, 19 people were hanged, one man was pressed to death, and five people died in prison.
Contrary to what the name suggests, there is no evidence of any connection between the Witches Woods Lake area and the Salem Witch Trials or any witches, for that matter. According to the Witches Woods Tax District website, this is the story of how the lake got its name:
One evening, several handymen working on the construction of a hotel were returning home from picking up provisions from the nearby town of Putnam. While en route, the wagon’s rear wheel fell off. The men unhitched the horses and headed for the hotel for assistance, leaving the wagon behind. When they returned to the site, they discovered that the wagon had been overturned and the supplies thrown into the swamp. The handymen claimed that the “witches did it.” And that is the story.
Witches Woods Lake Facts
Located in Woodstock Valley, CT, this 70.4-acre lake offers water activities such as fishing, waterskiing, tubing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. For a more laid-back lake experience, the lake has two beaches, one on the east and the other on the west side of its shores, where visitors can sunbathe and enjoy family-friendly beach activities.
Attractions Around Witches Woods Lake
If you’re looking to take a break from the lake, Woodstock has many local attractions and hotspots, including Roseland Cottage, a Gothic Revival-style home built in 1846. The house is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors insight into the 19th-century American lifestyle through home tours and cultural events. Other local attractions and recreations include the Taylor Brooke Winery and Brewery, Roseland Park and Golf Course, and numerous hiking trails.
The devil goes by many names: Satan, Lucifer, or Diablo, just to name a few. Whether you believe in him or not, nevertheless, he remains a familiar figure in both religion and literature as the master evildoer and the father of darkness. Devil’s Lake might conjure visions of his earthly lair hidden deep within its depths, or perhaps it serves as a portal to his underground realm, otherwise known as Hell.
Devil’s Lake was originally named Tee Wakącąk or Te Wakącągara, which means Sacred Lake by the Ho-Chunk People because it was believed to be a place with spiritual significance. However, through misinterpretation and mispronunciation of Te Wakącąk, the lake came to be known as Devil’s Lake.
Devil’s Lake Facts
Nestled in the Baraboo Range, approximately 2 miles south of Baraboo, WI, Devil’s Lake is one of the primary attractions of Devil’s Lake State Park. Not only can visitors enjoy numerous lake activities, including scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing on the 360-acre lake, but the park offers many outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing and bouldering, skiing, sledding, and more.
Attractions Around Devil’s Lake
Known as ‘America’s Dairyland,’ a trip to Wisconsin isn’t complete without a visit to one of the many cheese farms in the state. Carr Valley Cheese has a few locations within close proximity to Devil’s Lake. If wineries and breweries are your style, visit Driftless Glen Distillery and Tumbled Rock Brewery, located just north of Devil’s Lake in Baraboo. A few miles south, you’ll find Wollersheim Winery & Distillery. These places offer tastings and tours and are highly rated!
When you’re ready to check in for the evening, your lodging options include campgrounds, cabins, and hotels. But if you’re looking for mountainside charm with incredible views, a stay at the Inn at Wawanissee Point is a must. And if breakfast is your favorite meal, you’re in for a treat. From homemade pastries to egg frittatas to French toast, the Inn’s gourmet breakfast is made fresh daily with locally-produced eggs and meats and award-winning Wisconsin cheeses.
Halloween — a time when history and stories intertwine with the supernatural, often leading to blurred interpretations between reality and folklore. Now that we’ve demystified the myths and legends behind these spooky lake names, it’s time to book a trip to experience for yourself what these lakes have to offer!
Has your house been sitting on the market for some time? Have you also been questioning if it’s the price, the exposure, or maybe even the agent you’re working with? When it comes down to it, it could be the agent, or it might not be. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, breaks down the 2 main reasons your house might still be on the market.
Exposure: Is your property known? Are people able to find it on the market? If the property has been on the market for a minute and nothing seems to be moving, you need to look at the exposure and see if your agent has done what they need to.
A) Quality Staging & Photos?: You need genuine, quality photos. Not photos that can be misleading for potential buyers.
B) On The MLS?: You can’t sell a secret. If you’re not willing to make your property be viewed by the public, more than likely, it’ll be harder for it to sell.
C) Syndicated?: After your home is on the MLS, it being on other portals can significantly help with this. This will help reach a much wider audience.
D) On LakeHomes.com?: We’re members of MLSs all across the country and can extract data to put it on there. Listing homes with us, in turn, makes it a featured property on our website.
Price: If you’re utilizing all the above steps, the only other reason for it not selling is price. Price fixes every other problem besides exposure. It fixes location, repairs, water lines, location on the lake, etc.
A) Getting Offers?: If you’re getting offers, your agent has done well. It might not be the offer you want, but what you see in the value of your home.
B) Getting Showings?: If you’re getting showings, then your agent is getting people in the door. Ultimately, this also means the exposure is working.
C) Agent Getting Questions?: Again, this means the exposure is working. This comes back to your agent doing a good job, but it is coming down to price.
More Exposure Never Fixes Price: Just because you try to market better does not mean this will take away from it being a price issue.
The bottom line when it comes to selling, price fixes most things! When selling a lake home, it is key to have an appropriately priced home, along with good exposure tactics. If you would like guidance or even someone to ask questions about this, contact one of our lake experts at LakeHomes.com today!
There are many things that you should do when selling a lake home. It could be some updates around the house or even some bigger tasks to enhance curb appeal. However, you might be wondering if replacing the roof is worth it. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, discusses whether this task needs to be done.
Your Lake Home Needs a New Roof: Does your home actually need the roof replaced or is it just something you think needs to be done? Sometimes it might just be something you only believe is necessary.
New Roof Does NOT Increase Value: Some people might think if you replaced the roof you can add more money to the price. It doesn’t really work that way. Buyers are expecting a functional roof when looking for a home.
Old Roof Decrease Value: However, on the opposite side of things, having a roof that does need replacing or isn’t really functional will decrease the value of the home. Just because a new one doesn’t bring up the value doesn’t mean an old one can’t drop it.
Lenders May Require a New Roof: After a home inspection and appraisal, these lenders might require a new roof to be added. This lowers the risk of the asset.
Your Choice – Spend or Discount: When everything boils down to it, it’s ultimately your choice. You either spend the money on a new roof if needed or discount the price due to not replacing it.
At the end of the day, you might have more questions similar to this. One of the best ways to obtain this information is by reaching out to an expert at LakeHomes.com. They would love to provide the assistance you might need!
