Tag: lake homes

Lake Living – What Homeowners Love Most

Posted on Staff

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Lake living is the best, at least we’re inclined to think so. But who can blame us? We are the lake people.

But before you decide whether the lake life’s right for you, take a look at some of the things lake homeowners love most about the lake lifestyle.

Innumerable Beautiful Sunsets

Photo courtesy of Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

Sunsets may be one of the universe’s most mesmerizing creations. They turn the skies from beautiful blue into vibrant pinks, oranges, and reds, smears of purple streaked with elongated tendrils of sunbeams.

After a long day of swimming, boating, fishing, and grilling, there’s nothing more captivating or more calming than the sun setting over a glass-smooth lake. And no matter how many days you spend staring out toward the horizon from your lake home, each day brings a sunset completely unlike the day before.

Fourth of July

Photo courtesy of KADM Creations on Unsplash

Hundreds of lakes across the country roll out the red carpets for out-of-this-world Fourth of July festivities.

Family-friendly activities include spectacular fireworks displays, poker runs, boat parades, and concerts by local artists.

Even if your lake doesn’t put on a grand show, most permit lake homeowners to privately shoot fireworks from their docks, decks, and backyards. Plus, no matter the degree to which you party for patriotism, at the lake, you can always count on there being good ol’ home-cooked food for the soul.

Family Time

Photo courtesy of Cybèle and Bevan on Unsplash

We all lead busy lives, and sometimes it’s hard to find time for quality family bonding. 

That’s not the case at the lake. In fact, all the time you spend at the lake can be time spent with family, be it with those related to you by blood or the family members you choose to share the lake with. 

At the lake, family time isn’t necessarily characterized by sharing stories around the dinner table, though that’s certainly one option. No, for most lake homeowners, family moments shared at the lake take place around fire pits and grills, on floaties and rope swings, and in the kitchen while the summer showers roll through. 

Outdoor Activities

Photo courtesy of Skoolie Project on Unsplash

Life on the lake is a nature lover’s paradise.

From boating to paddleboarding to fishing, there are plenty of things to do on the lake. However, if you need a break from water activities, going on a picnic or lounging lakeside in your backyard is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the picturesque lake views.

If staying active is more your style, hiking or taking a stroll around the lake is a great option. Additionally, it’s a fantastic opportunity to observe wildlife while taking in the natural landscape.

The Memories Made

Photo courtesy of Mariia Horobets on Unsplash

Ask any lake homeowner, or any lake lover for that matter, what their favorite memories are, and you’re guaranteed to hear a litany of wonderful things that happened at the lake. That’s because life’s best moments are made at the lake.

The lake is where grandfathers teach their grandkids to fish, where favorite uncles grill the best hamburgers, and where sons and daughters learn to swim.

It’s the perfect place to gather in celebration of birthdays, holidays, and milestones, like graduations and baby showers.

And the lake is where s’mores are shared, where minnows are turned into pets, and where some of life’s important lessons are learned.

Memories made at the lake are more than special; they are priceless.

It’s all these things and more that make lake living so worthwhile. They are why buying a lake home is more than a real estate transaction; it’s about attaining a lifestyle—the lake experience. 

If you’re ready to invest in your best future, let us — the lake people — help make your dream a reality.

This article was originally published on July 31, 2019.

[CandysDirt.com] You Can Enjoy Lake Life and Wine Country Less Than Two Hours From Dallas

Posted on Linda Thach

Lake houses are perfect for creating lasting family memories and delivering pure relaxation. Life feels slower, stress fades, and some even say it adds years to your life. That’s part of why my friend Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty in Birmingham, Alabama, notes that purchasing a lake home often takes around two years—much longer than the average homebuying timeline.

But once the keys are in hand, vacation home owners embrace every moment of that laid-back lake lifestyle.

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[CandysDirt.com] What Buyers Want in 2025: From Dog Parks to Downsizing, Amenities and Affordability Are Key

Posted on Linda Thach

According to housing insiders, homebuyers in today’s market are opting for smaller homes that are packed with amenities, such as dog parks and park-inspired trail systems. It’s all about the lifestyle, especially when it comes to lake real estate.

“They’re not buying it because they think it’ll make them money,” he (Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty) said. “It’s a lifestyle choice.” – CandysDirt.com

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[Hamilton County Herald] Inflation, tariffs chill market for lake homes

Posted on Linda Thach

For those in the Tennessee Valley, summer often marks the start of lake season—relaxing weekends on the water, family cookouts, and for many, the hope of owning a second home on Chickamauga or Nickajack. But in 2025, that hope is running up against economic uncertainty.

Although there were early signs that lake home sales might bounce back this year, the national market has slowed—and Tennessee is no exception.

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Whiteboard Topics: What Lake Homes Sellers Expect That Rarely Helps

Posted on Zac Parnell

Expectations are a part of everything in life. Real estate is not exempt from having expectations either. When selling your home, you might have certain expectations from your real estate agent in order to get your home sold. Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, discusses the different things a seller might expect that don’t always help.

  1. Open Houses: Typically, when it comes to lake real estate, the buyer is many miles away. They might even be in a completely different state. These buyers will schedule a showing to see that house if they are interested. An open house, on the other hand, typically attracts people who come by to view the house, usually without any intention to buy.
  2. “Just Listed” postcards: Who would you be sending these to? You don’t really need to send them to your neighbors because they already live at the lake. It doesn’t logically make sense to send these across the country, but it makes the seller feel good when sending them out. That doesn’t inherently mean anything will come from it.
  3. “Just Listed” social media: This is related to the “Just Listed” postcards. Not only that, but the algorithms don’t typically like these kinds of posts. If it shows up to an audience, it will more than likely show up on a family or friend’s feed.
  4. “For Sale” signs: Most lake homebuyers start their search online. Going back to the first point, many buyers might not even live in the state you’re in, having a for sale sign doesn’t really help as much as you think.

A lot of the time, an agent will do these things out of habit or to make their sellers happy. However, that doesn’t mean it will sell the home. If you’d like to discuss these topics or anything else with an agent, please contact one today at https://www.lakehomes.com/.

[265 Today] Lake real estate property prices grow over last spring

Posted on Linda Thach

The lakefront real estate market in Alabama has shown substantial growth compared to the spring of 2024. According to the most recent market report from Lake Homes Realty, Alabama’s total market value has surged to $1.52 billion, up from $1.39 billion in the previous spring.

Stephanie Johnston of Lake Homes Realty points out that Wilson Lake and Pickwick Lake are standout markets in the state, ranking sixth and seventh, respectively. Wilson Lake currently boasts 170 lakefront properties on the market, priced between $24,000 and $8 million, with an average home price of $946,996. Pickwick Lake offers 90 properties ranging from $8,000 to $2.95 million, with an average home price of $431,801. This positive trajectory in property values and inventory indicates a strong and growing interest in Alabama’s lakefront real estate market.

“The new Lake Real Estate Market Report from Lake Homes Realty shows Alabama’s total market at $1.52 billion, up from $1.39 billion in the spring of 2024,” said Stephanie Johnston of Lake Homes Realty, who focuses on Wilson Lake, Shoal Creek, Elk River, and Pickwick Lake. – 265 Today

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[AL.com] See inside this stunning $2.5 million Alabama lake home with a glass bridge

Posted on Linda Thach

Maison Roc, a stunning modern estate located on Smith Lake in Alabama, is currently listed for sale at $2.495 million. According to real estate agent Justin Dyar, this custom home designed by Shepard and Davis Architecture has been showcased in Veranda magazine and various other publications.

The home’s design of reclaimed limestone, steel, and concrete was built to stand the test of time. However, the home’s main attraction is its glass bridge connecting the home’s two living areas.

“Enjoy sunsets or vistas of the main channel while being tucked away in a private cove,” [Justin] Dyar said. “Maison Roc is a true destination home on Smith Lake.” – AL.com

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Whiteboard Topics: Overpricing Your Lake Home Is Easy!

Posted on Zac Parnell

What comes to mind when you’re getting ready to sell your home? Pricing! Knowing how to and what to price your lake home is crucial in the selling process. If you go too high, more than likely, it will sit on the market longer than you’d like. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, delves into the importance of proper pricing and how easy it is to accidentally overprice.

  1. “What I have in it”: This is the concept of what you, as the owner, have financially put into the home. However, buyers do not care about this. The market is the market. When you were the buyer, you didn’t ask the seller what they had put into the home. The same goes for your potential buyers; they don’t care. The market sets the price.
  2. “What I ‘need’…”: At the end of the day, need has nothing to do with it. Need is market-independent and not relevant to any of the buyers.
  3. “I just ‘feel’ it is worth this”: There have been many studies that indicate we value our own possessions a lot more than other people’s possessions. This is something you need to be mindful of. It’s very easy to justify why you think your property is worth a certain amount.
  4. “The neighbor’s house sold for…”: That might be a true statement, or it might be a rumor someone has made up. If it is factual, there are many factors that could have been at play, such as selling when the market was hot. Having an agent who can pull a market analysis is more beneficial than basing pricing on the neighbor’s home.
  5. “The house nearby is listed for…”: “Listed for” is exactly what it sounds like, a listing. That house is still on the market.
  6. “If I can get this much, then I’ll sell”: This means you are not actively trying to sell the home. If something were to come along at a price you like, then you might. Something like this wastes time for all parties.

Having the correct pricing is truly the most important thing if you’re trying to sell. However, as mentioned above, it’s very easy to overprice a lake home. If you’re trying to figure out how to get accurate pricing, reach out to our lake experts at https://www.lakehomes.com/.