Tag: lake activities

Whiteboard Topics: Is My Agent The Reason My Lake Home Has Not Sold?

Posted on Zac Parnell

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!

Whiteboard Topics: Selling A Lake Home. Should I Replace the Roof First?

Posted on Zac Parnell

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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!

Things to Do Around Lake Chelan, WA

Posted on Camille Smith

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Photo courtesy of Visit Chelan County

From picturesque wine valleys to family-friendly water activities, here are the top things to do near Lake Chelan, Washington:

Puget Sound isn’t the only popular lake in the Pacific Northwest. Located between north-central and northwest Washington, Lake Chelan stretches 55 miles between the Chelan mountains. Fed by the glacial Stehekin River, it’s a narrow fjord-like lake with an impressive depth of 1,486 feet, making it the third deepest lake in the U.S. From its stunning geography to its abundance of recreation, Lake Chelan is truly something special. If you’re interested in visiting or buying lake property here, check out these fun things to do on Lake Chelan!

Go Fishing

Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash

Like on most lakes, fishing is an ever-popular activity on Lake Chelan. However, many anglers find fishing to be more abundant and picturesque at this PNW lake than in other lake areas across the country. Bass, Chinook salmon, kokanee, and rainbow trout are particularly popular. In these waters, reeling in a 20-pound fish is not incredibly rare, although the average weight is between 6 and 10 pounds. Several times, Lake Chelan has broken the state lake trout record, most recently in February of 2013 with a fish weighing 35.63 pounds.

Visit The Lake Chelan Wine Valley

Photo courtesy of Wander & Wine

The only thing better than a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains is enjoying the view with a glass of vino! The Lake Chelan Wine Valley boasts award-winning wines from more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms.  Depending on the time of year, a variety of events happen in the wine valley that are perfect for wine lovers—or anyone who loves stomping grapes. Since many people consider the Clean Wine Valley to be on par with California’s famous Sonoma Valley Wineries, it’s certainly worth a visit.

Hop Aboard the Lady of the Lake

Photo courtesy of Lady of the Lake

Since Lake Chelan features various hidden parts along its long, narrow shoreline, there are few ways to discover all this lake’s secrets. On the Lady of the Lake, you’ll get the full tour of Lake Chelan, even those hard-to-reach places that you can only access by hiking. Originally built in 1900, this boat was designed to transport passengers from the south to the north part of the lake. Choose from multiple tours to get the experience you want! The sailing schedule changes according to the season, so be sure to check their website for updates.

Check Out Slidewaters

For many continuous years, Slidewaters has been rated among the top 15 waterparks in the U.S. Located in the Lake Chelan area, this spot consists of several waterslides, a 500-foot-long lazy river, and a play area for young children. The area also includes an arcade, picnic area, and gift shop. Although this classic waterpark is temporarily closed during the “off” seasons, it’s a highly popular destination during the summer months on Lake Chelan.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a gorgeous natural lake in the Pacific Northwest, Lake Chelan is a perfect spot. With gorgeous mountain views and plenty of activities to do, you’ll feel relaxed and right at home.

Whiteboard Topics: What To Really Ask A Lake Real Estate Agent

Posted on Zac Parnell

Someone’s real estate journey is more than likely going to warrant some questions. Even if you might have a good chunk of knowledge when it comes to real estate, the lake market can be different. Before you start any process of buying or selling, you should think about some questions you might have. Luckily, Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, discusses what you should really be asking your lake real estate agents.

  1. Which Agent…: Questions along these lines are some you might think you need to ask or get an answer for, but in actuality, they aren’t the important ones.
    • A) Has The Most Listings?: You might think finding the agent who has the most listings is the agent you want to work with. However, just because an agent has many listings doesn’t mean they’re being sold. You can find an agent who has a lot of listings while also selling those listings.
    • B) Do I Personally Like?: Everyone likes someone with whom they can get along, but that doesn’t mean that’s the agent for you. While you should find someone you can get along with, it’s more important to find an agent who will help guide you through this big transaction.
    • C) Has an Office Nearby?: This point is something that matters to sellers on occasion. But when it comes to buyers, they don’t necessarily care. Buyers are able to search online and don’t need an office to go into. A buyer wants to see the house, not an office.
  2. Questions You Should Answer:
    • A) MOST Capable of Helping Achieve MY Goal?: One of the most important questions that should be answered is which agent will help you with your goal. You’re the one making the transactions and your goals are what’s important.
    • B) All Agents the Same?: Not all agents are the same. You should be looking for the ones who are equipped to handle your needs and what you are looking for.
    • C) Focused on Lake Real Estate?: Similarly to the previous point, find the ones who have the focus. Working with a lake market expert is what you want during this process. Any other agent you should exclude. Lake agents know the ins and outs that other agents simply wouldn’t know.
    • D) Can Prove a Pipeline of Out of Town Buyers?: If the agent can show you that they have people coming from out of town to buy, you should keep note of that. This is a good thing as it brings people from outside the local market looking and buying.

Simply put, certain questions are more important to ask a lake agent. You might think you’re asking the correct ones, but some of them require a lot of expertise. If you’re ready to start asking the questions, reach out to a lake expert today at LakeHomes.com. They would love to help you on your real estate journey.

Whiteboard Topics: Lake Home Real Estate Expectations For Fall 2024

Posted on Zac Parnell

Summer is winding down and so is the height of lake season. As we head into the fall and winter months, you might be wondering what the lake home real estate market is going to look like. You might be asking yourself if it is a good time to buy or sell, should you wait until warmer weather, or just how everything looks. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down how things are looking as we head into these cooler months.

  1. Inventory Growing (Selection!): Going into the fall, the inventory is growing. This is a good thing because ultimately you have more selection. While there are still plenty of overpriced homes, slowly these prices could drop as inventory continues to increase.
  2. Mortgage Rates “Sort of” Irrelevant: There have been discussions about the dropping of mortgage rates. However, these are almost irrelevant when it comes to lake real estate. More than half of the transactions the agents at Lake Homes Realty do are done in cash. This has more to do with the buyers’ sentiment towards mortgage rates. Most of the time, lake home buyers can typically afford the mortgage.
  3. Buyer Demand Strong but Hesitant: The traffic coming to LakeHomes.com is there.
    • A. Discretionary: The buyers aren’t buying unless they really see what they are looking for.
    • B. Selective: Price is one of the biggest things buyers have been selective on.
    • C. Distracted (Election, Holidays): Every 4 years the buyer population gets distracted due to the election. Not to mention holidays when more people are busy with many other things. This can result in a slower rate of buyers.
  4. Realistic Transactions Move Quick!: The lake homes where pricing is realistic are moving quite quickly. The growing inventory tends to be the ones that aren’t priced accordingly.

As we continue to make our way into the fall season, just remember you can still buy and sell. If you’re planning on selling, price properly. If you’re looking to buy, the inventory is growing, so keep looking. As always, there are plenty of lake real estate experts always ready to help. If you would like to connect with one today, head over to LakeHomes.com to find one for you!

Identifying Common Snake Types

Posted on Camille Smith

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Photo courtesy of fortheland.org

Here’s a list of the most common snakes found in the United States:

While most aspects of living at the lake are enjoyable, dealing with less-than-pleasant wildlife is not. For most people, coming across a snake in your backyard or while hiking through the woods is terrifying. It’s no wonder why—many snakes are venomous, and these reptiles are always portrayed in the media as vile creatures who are better off dead. However, not all snakes are harmful. In distinguishing friends from foes, it’s important to be able to identify these various types of common snakes. Developing an awareness of the most prevalent snake species in the U.S. will help you determine when to run for your life and when to simply walk by.

Garter Snake

Photo courtesy of Karsten Paulick from Pixabay

From the Thamnophis genus, this snake species is spread widely throughout North America, making it one of the country’s most common snakes. Although the common garter snake can be found in any region from Canada to the southern U.S., they prefer humid areas with lots of water, such as grasslands and forests. They can be identified by their vertical stripes, which extend longitudinally from head to tail. Typically, they’re characterized by lighter, yellow-ish pattern stripes with a darker background.

Coral Snake

Photo courtesy of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

The coral snake prefers temperate and warm climates in the southeastern U.S. You’ll know a coral snake by its color-blocking pattern of alternating yellow, black, and red stripes. However, a certain famous rhyme comes in handy here: “Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack.” Coral snakes happen to be the former. Because they’re highly venomous, you’ll want to stay far away. It’s also worth noting that there are some exceptions to this rhyme, and it’s important to be aware of them.

Kingsnake

Photo courtesy of Karsten Paulick from Pixabay

The king snake is part of the Lampropeltis genus. From the Greek words “lampro” (shiny) and “peltus” (shield), these snakes are identified by their shiny, smooth scales. There are many subspecies of kingsnakes, such as milk snakes, the California kingsnake, and the Mexican black kingsnake. These creatures are non-venomous constricting snakes, so you don’t need to worry. Like coral snakes, the king snake is recognized by red, yellow, and black bands. However, a king snake’s red bands will be adjacent to black ones, as indicated in the second half of the rhyme (red touches black, friend of Jack).

Watersnake

Photo courtesy of arlingtonva.us

Native to North America, the watersnake can be found all throughout the eastern U.S. As their name suggests, they tend to live around bodies of water such as rivers, creeks, and marshes. Although they are non-venomous, they are often confused with the highly venomous cottonmouth snake. Additionally, these water snakes can be confused with venomous water moccasins which have heavier heads and stockier bodies. They share a brown, grayish shade with patches of lighter coloring– a look that was likely adapted through evolution to living in a water-based environment.

Rattlesnake

By derivative work: Victorrocha (talk · contribs)Crotalus_cerastes_mesquite_springs_CA.JPG: Tigerhawkvok (talk · contribs) – Crotalus_cerastes_mesquite_springs_CA.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0

Perhaps the most infamous snake species, the rattlesnake belongs to the genus Crotalus which derives from the Greek word for “rattle.” With its thick body, triangular head, and diamond-shaped patterns, it’s one of the most recognizable snakes in North America. These nocturnal species have “heat vision” allowing them to thrive in desert regions with arid climates such as Arizona. Highly venomous, they use their large fangs to capture prey, hissing and rattling before they attack.

For more information about identifying which snakes are harmful, check out this resource.

Whiteboard Topics: Is A Friend The Best Choice For A Lake Home Transaction?

Posted on Zac Parnell

Buying or selling a lake home can be a strenuous process. With that being said, you might think it’d be a better idea to get help from a friend who is a real estate agent. However, this might not always be the best option. Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, shares his thoughts on the topic.

  1. It’s Business: Think about it from the sense of a doctor. The friend wouldn’t be offended if you were to go see a doctor who has more expertise in the matter. The same thing goes for real estate agents. Lake agents at Lake Homes Realty are the experts when it comes to the lake market.
  2. Have Your Friend Explain “Why are they THE Best Choice?”: Having your friend be able to explain why they would be the better option to choose over someone whose everyday market is the lake. This is a great opportunity for them to share why they think they would be the one to go with.
  3. Generalist vs. Specialist: Just because your friend might have sold a lake home a few times doesn’t automatically make them a lake specialist. They won’t know the different nuances that go into buying and selling on the lake, and that’s okay. A lake specialist will be able to keep up with what is going on in the lake market in ways someone else might not be able to.
  4. Point Out Something Unique in Your Choice: Are you able to give a reason why you would choose them? Be sure it’s something that is different than them just being your friend. You really want to have someone who has the unique things others don’t.
  5. A Real Friend Will Understand: At the end of the day, if you explain why you don’t pick them, that friend should be able to understand. These are big transactions, so going with someone who knows the ins and outs is always important.

If you are starting the process of buying or selling and need to find a lake expert, head over to LakeHomes.com. There are plenty of agents there who would love to be a part of this journey with you and guide you through it.

Whiteboard Topics: Why Are There Not More Buyers For Lake Homes?

Posted on Zac Parnell

To many people, it seems as though there aren’t that many buyers in the market. Is this actually the case or could there be another reason behind this? There have been transactions taking place, but not to a level where they would seem to be skyrocketing. Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, explains why there aren’t more buyers in the market and what could be causing it.

A. Modest Market Improvement:

  1. Inventory is Larger- There is currently more selection. This is a good thing that could bring in more potential buyers.
  2. Mortgage Rates- The rates are currently showing signs of dropping.
  3. Buyers Demand Strong- At LakeHomes.com, we can see that the web traffic is heavy, which means they are buying and shopping.

B. Still, Buyers are Waiting On…:

  1. Realistic Pricing- Because the inventory has grown, many houses are priced way above what they should be. There have been signs showing more realistic pricing is on its way.
  2. Selection- There is a decent selection, but after taking away the homes that are not priced appropriately, the selection is smaller.
  3. Election and Holidays- Every 4 years during election time, there is a slower time period of people actually looking at these properties. It is a hard thing to attribute because most people can’t even really explain why this happens. As the end-of-year holiday season approaches, things slow down mainly due to busy schedules.

Buyers might not seem like they’re out there, but they are. When it all comes down to it, they are simply waiting. One thing that can really change is pricing homes correctly. Things pick up pace when a home that’s priced accordingly is on the market. If you’d like more information to help you navigate this topic or any other real estate question, connect with an agent at https://www.lakehomes.com/ today.

Whiteboard Topics: Lake Real Estate Trends You Should Know

Posted on Zac Parnell

Real estate trends can change more often than you realize. That includes the trends that are specifically involved with the lake real estate market. It’s always a good thing to be up to date on what’s happening in the world of real estate, whether you’re buying or selling. Luckily, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, has all the insights you might need.

  1. Mortgage Rate Independent: This means if mortgage rates are on the rise, transaction rates at the lake typically aren’t affected. This all boils down to around half of the transactions being done through cash. Even if a buyer does end up getting a mortgage, they typically have the means to be able to get better rates.
  2. Inventory “Issues”: Inventory as a whole has grown since COVID-19 happened. However, the transactions haven’t been flowing as much. This is mainly due to people not matching their homes for the price they’re worth today.
  3. Strong but Very Practical Demand: People who are more thoughtful about their money won’t be willing to pay the COVID prices that others were four years ago. These buyers are always interested, but they’ll wait.
  4. Competitive Bidding “Spotty”: There hasn’t been as much competitive bidding now as there was in the past. This is especially true when the homes are overpriced. The few homes that are getting competitive bids are designing their offer to be very practical.
  5. Aspirational Pricing: This type of pricing is never really attainable due to what the home is priced at. The sellers might see what others are doing or think they can sell for and that’s more than often not the case.
  6. Multiple Market Shopping: Sometimes, buyers aren’t looking at one lake or even one state. However, they can be looking at multiple lakes in different states.

Before you start looking to buy or plan to sell, knowing the trends is always important. If you are looking for even more information about these trends or anything else regarding lake real estate, visit https://www.lakehomes.com/. There are plenty of agents who are ready to help you today.