In addition to the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, the United States is also known for its lake towns that have gained recognition nationwide and sometimes even globally.
Being designated as a “lake town” can carry more weight in defining a city’s character than its mere proximity to bodies of water. Throughout history, lakes have played important roles in the development of early American industries and served as vital hubs for transportation and trade. As these waterfront communities evolved into the 20th century, they embraced modernization by nurturing vibrant downtown areas, diverse shopping districts, thriving business sectors, flourishing arts scenes, and outstanding educational opportunities, including leading schools and research institutions.
“And these towns could soon see an influx of new residents—in a spring 2025 report, the CEO of Lake Homes Realty predicted that the amount of lakefront real estate transactions will increase by 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.” – MSN Money
To find the top U.S. lake towns to live in, Stacker examined 2021 data from WalletHub, focusing on 46 towns with beaches on TripAdvisor and populations of 10,000 to 150,000. The study considered affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“The house nearby is listed for…”: “Listed for” is exactly what it sounds like, a listing. That house is still on the market.
“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/.
A front porch is more than just an entryway—it’s the heart and soul of your beloved lake dwelling. It sets the tone for your home’s personality. Just as it symbolizes home to you and yours, it welcomes guests with warmth and hospitality. Whether you have a cozy cottage or a grand lakefront estate, your porch should complement the architectural style of your home. It should also maximize available space and prioritize safety, particularly for households with children. Materials play a key role in enhancing durability and aesthetic appeal, with options like natural wood, composite decking, stone, and brick all offering distinct advantages depending on your regional climate.
For lake home properties across the U.S., different front porch styles cater to various environmental and aesthetic needs. From simple enhancements like bold lighting fixtures to more substantial upgrades such as screened enclosures or folding front doors, numerous ways can elevate your home’s curb appeal. Here are seven impactful front porch ideas suited to different lake regions for inspiration. These ideas provide functional and aesthetic benefits tailored to specific climates and lifestyles.
Incorporate a Folding Door for Ultimate Flexibility
A folding front door can be a game-changer for homeowners in California and the Pacific Northwest lake regions, where mild climates encourage open-air living. Additionally, their flexibility makes them suitable for almost any lake climate. This unique element expands your living space. It creates an airy transition between the interior and exterior, perfect for entertaining or enjoying serene lake views.
Enhance Farmhouse Style with PVC or DIY Column Wraps
Adding PVC or DIY column wraps is an affordable and impactful way to upgrade the look of your front porch. This approach is practical for farm-style homes popular in the Midwest, Upper East, and Mid-Atlantic lake regions. These areas blend classic Americana aesthetics with modern convenience. These wraps provide the look of traditional wood without the maintenance, ensuring long-term durability against seasonal weather fluctuations.
Bringing your interior design elements outdoors creates a seamless flow between your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Incorporate comfortable seating, side tables, outdoor rugs, pillows, and performance fabrics that resist moisture and fading. This idea works well in the Southeast and Texas Gulf lake regions, where extended warm seasons allow for outdoor living nearly year-round.
Statement lighting fixtures can instantly boost your home’s curb appeal while providing necessary illumination for safety and ambiance. Oversized lanterns, industrial-style sconces, or even string lights can add character to porches in the Northern and Upper East lake regions. Shorter daylight hours in these areas make proper lighting essential for year-round usability.
Screening in your porch can make outdoor relaxation more enjoyable in areas where mosquitos and other pests are a concern, such as the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast lake regions. A well-designed screened porch can blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture. It can also keep insects at bay and provide additional shade.
Install a Porch Swing or Swinging Daybed for a Tranquil Ambiance
Few things evoke relaxation like a porch swing or a cushioned daybed. This addition works beautifully in the Texas Gulf and Southeast lake regions. Gentle breezes and scenic views in these areas create the perfect setting for unwinding with a book or watching the sunset.
Elevating your porch’s aesthetic can be as simple as installing new flooring or painting the ceiling in an eye-catching hue. Classic blue ceilings, for example, are a staple in Southern lake homes. They are believed to deter insects while adding a charming, coastal touch. Meanwhile, natural wood or stone flooring provides a rustic, high-end feel in the Pacific Northwest and Northern lake regions.
Your front porch is an extension of your home’s personality and reflects your lifestyle. Whether you aim for a rustic retreat, a contemporary oasis, or a traditional charm, these porch enhancements can help maximize curb appeal. They can also improve functionality. By tailoring your porch style to your lake region’s climate and aesthetics, you can create a welcoming space that not only impresses visitors but also offers an inviting sanctuary for relaxation and enjoyment throughout the seasons. For more lake-inspired décor tips, visit Lake Home Lifestyles.
Are you selling your lake home? You, as a seller, have traits that most sellers exhibit. The same goes for lake home buyers. Because you are trying to sell your home, you should be aware of what these typical buyer traits are and how to spot them. Lake Home Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, discusses what some of these traits are and how to be on the lookout for them.
Often Live >100 Miles Away: Most buyers who purchase lake property are looking for something they can move to in retirement or a place they can have as their getaway. Knowing that typical lake buyers are coming as far away as other states or cross country is important when it comes to marketing towards them.
“Want What They Want”: It isn’t very common that your typical lake home buyer is looking for anything in a hurry. They don’t need a home immediately to ensure their kids can be in a certain school system or any other reason behind a quick move. They could spend months to years waiting to find exactly what it is they want.
Willing to pay…but RARELY overpay: Most people who are buying lake property are smart with their money. You can see that the inventory has grown a lot in the past couple of months. These buyers aren’t willing to pay for a home that is overpriced, a more and more are becoming that.
Unconcerned with school systems: The usual demographic is 55 and older. They might have grandkids coming to visit, but that doesn’t mean the specific school systems in the area are pertinent for these buyers.
Hospital Reasonably Close: Like the previous point, the age demographic is a little older than your usual real estate market. Knowing you’re not too far away from a medical center is something that is being looked into when a buyer is considering moving to the lake.
Knowing these buyer traits can benefit you if you’re beginning the selling process or have been in it for a minute. If you would like help with selling or simply more details about these traits, reach out to one of our lake agents today at https://www.lakehomes.com/. They would be more than willing to lend a helping hand.
Spring is here, and there’s no better way to enjoy the lake than on a boat. While you’re out cruising, why not accompany your day with an awesome playlist? From oldie classics to today’s latest hits, we’ve got the best tunes to celebrate springtime out on the water.
Spring is Here – Ella Fitzgerald
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers
As It Was – Harry Styles
Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
Brazil – Declan McKenna
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
Borderline – Tame Impala
Riptide – Vance Joy
Bubbly – Colbie Caillat
You Are The Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Spring Vacation – The Beach Boys
It Might as Well Be Spring – Frank Sinatra
Happy – Pharrell Williams
Feeling Good – Nina Simone
Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Dreams – The Cranberries
Sunday Best – Surfaces
Flowers – Miley Cyrus
I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
I’m Like a Bird – Nelly Furtado
On Top of The World – Imagine Dragons
Mr. Blue Sky – ELO
Sunshine on My Shoulders – John Denver
My Girl – The Temptations
Rosa – Grimes
Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers
Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bob Marley
Spring Fever – Elvis Presley
Butterflies – Kacey Musgraves
Want to listen to more? Be sure to check out our other playlists!
Pricing is an important factor when it comes to buying and selling a lake home. On the buyer’s side, you typically want to find a home that is within your budget and not something astronomically outrageous. From the seller’s side, pricing a home appropriately means more people are willing to look at it. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, breaks down 7 different signs that a lake home is not priced realistically.
Days-on-Market (DOM): Transparency is important. If your home has been on the market longer than 60-90 days, specifically for lake properties, it typically indicates that something isn’t right about the transaction. If the home is priced about 10-15% or more up than what the market is realistically expecting, people won’t take the time to even look at the home.
Big Appraisal Gap: This was a bigger deal during the COVID frenzy, where people were willing to pay a higher price for the home than the appraisal price. However, since we have shifted from that, people aren’t as willing to spend that money.
“Back on the Market”: This could indicate a price problem, either an issue with the mortgage appraisal not matching or an issue with the house, and the buyer and seller couldn’t agree on how to solve it in terms of the price.
Massive $ Increase: This relates to an increase in the price of the house from when it was initially purchased to now, and there hasn’t been much done or changed about the property. If the seller can’t explain why there would be such a price increase, it more than likely means the home is overpriced.
Multiple Price Cuts: The home has a lot of days on the market, as well as multiple cuts in the price. They might not even be significant price cuts. However, a buyer can see this and expect more cuts to happen before even looking at the property.
Sellers: No (or Few) Showings: Having nobody come to look at the property is a key indicator that the home is priced poorly. Having people come and view your home is something that should be happening.
Sellers: No Offers (or Similarly Low): Having people come and look at the home is great, but receiving no offers or even low offers means the pricing is off. If you’re receiving low offers, it can often be the buyer trying to offer at a more accurate price point.
Having a home that sits on the market for months due to pricing is something no seller or buyer, for that matter, wants. Ensuring you have priced your lake home appropriately is key in ensuring you can sell it. If you’re struggling with pinpointing what price is right for your home, contact one of our lake agents today! They would be more than willing to help you out!
Now is the time when you have decided to either buy a lake home or sell the one you currently have. However, you have to make a pretty big decision, which real estate agent to work with? Before you decide to choose one randomly, check out what Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, has to say when it comes to mistakes made when hiring an agent.
Generalist Instead Of Specialist: The biggest mistake people usually make is hiring an agent who doesn’t specialize in lake real estate. A general real estate agent might know the nuances of transactions and other facets of the real estate world but not necessarily the ins and outs of the lake market. There are many different rules and regulations when it comes to buying and selling within the realm of lake real estate.
Family As A Favor: Everyone would love to help out family, especially if they are new to the world of real estate. There are other ways to help out your family without negatively affecting your transactions. This is where working with a specialist really benefits you.
Just Picking A Friend: Similarly to the family aspect, working alongside someone who knows what it really takes to work within this market is always going to be better than simply just someone you know. That friend might not know the exact questions that need to be asked and a plethora of other things that a seasoned lake agent will know.
Only Think Local: This is particularly a mistake when selling. There are ways to target buyers in various parts of the country. This will help directly target lake buyers within many different states. A lake agent knows how to go about this and the ways you can truly target dedicated lake buyers.
These 4 mistakes are common in selling lake properties. However, they don’t have to be. A great way to avoid these is by working alongside a seasoned lake real estate expert. There are many different agents who would love to help you navigate the process of buying or selling lake property. Check them out at https://www.lakehomes.com/ and ask any other questions you might have.
A deck railing is more than just a safety feature—it plays a vital role in defining the style and functionality of your lakefront space. The right railing enhances your home’s architectural charm. It frames the view and ensures durability against the elements. With various materials and styles available, selecting the best option depends on your region, climate, and personal design preferences. Whether you favor a sleek, modern look or a rustic, natural aesthetic, there is a deck railing style suited to your lake home.
Safety Considerations
Beyond aesthetics, safety is a key factor in choosing the right deck railing. If you have children or pets, selecting a railing with minimal gaps and sturdy construction is essential. Additionally, railing height requirements vary by location. So, checking local building codes ensures compliance. Materials also play a role in safety—some options, like tempered glass or stainless steel, provide strength and clear sightlines.
Sleek and modern cable railings provide an unobstructed view of the water. Their minimalist design makes them ideal for contemporary and waterfront homes where preserving the scenery is a priority. Made from durable stainless-steel cables and metal posts, they require minimal maintenance. They can withstand extreme weather conditions, making them an excellent choice for northern lake homes and the Pacific Northwest. For added ambiance, consider incorporating LED post cap lights to softly illuminate your deck space without detracting from the clean, open aesthetic.
Offering a seamless view while shielding against wind, glass panels are excellent for Mid-Atlantic and California lake properties, where maintaining scenic visibility is key. These railings create a luxurious, high-end feel while providing safety and durability. Tempered glass panels are shatter-resistant and require occasional cleaning to maintain clarity, which makes them a stylish yet practical choice for modern lakefront homes. Integrated lighting along the railing base or solar-powered post-cap lights can further enhance the contemporary appeal while ensuring visibility in the evening.
A timeless choice, wood railings blend seamlessly with rustic and classic lake homes. Cedar and pressure-treated pine are excellent for humid climates like the Southeast, offering natural resistance to moisture and pests. These railings can be stained or painted to match your home’s aesthetic. However, they require regular maintenance to prevent weathering. Their natural appeal makes them an excellent fit for traditional and historic lake homes in the Eastern region. Adding built-in lantern-style post lights or recessed lighting along the rail can provide a warm and inviting glow, enhancing your outdoor gathering space.
Powder-coated aluminum or wrought iron railings offer durability and a sophisticated aesthetic. Aluminum railings are lightweight, rust-resistant, and perfect for Texas Gulf lake homes where heat and humidity can cause other materials to degrade. On the other hand, wrought iron railings offer a more decorative and classic appeal while providing strength against extreme seasonal changes in the Northern Lake Regions. Both options are long-lasting and require minimal upkeep. You can install low-voltage LED lighting strips or decorative sconces to complement the design to highlight your railing and improve your nighttime ambiance.
A low-maintenance alternative to wood, composite railings resist moisture and fading. Thus, they are perfect for humid and salty air conditions in Gulf lake regions and the Southeast. They come in various colors and textures that mimic the look of natural wood without the need for staining or sealing. Composite railings are also resistant to pests and rot, making them a cost-effective and durable option for homeowners who want a wood-like aesthetic with far less maintenance. Many composite railing systems offer built-in lighting solutions, including solar-powered post caps and under-rail lighting, bringing elegance and functionality to your outdoor space.
Highly durable and easy to clean, vinyl railings are an excellent choice for areas with varying weather conditions, including the Mid-Atlantic and Texas Gulf Lake regions. Their resistance to moisture, insects, and UV rays ensures they won’t fade, rot, or crack over time. Available in various styles and colors, vinyl railings provide a clean and polished look that complements traditional and modern homes. Their affordability and minimal maintenance make them a practical choice for busy homeowners. Many vinyl railing systems come with built-in solar post caps or accent lighting. These provide an energy-efficient way to illuminate your deck while maintaining a crisp, polished aesthetic.
Selecting the right deck railing is crucial to designing an inviting and functional outdoor space. Each style offers distinct advantages, from unobstructed views and weather resistance to low maintenance and timeless aesthetics. When selecting, homeowners should consider regional climate factors, architectural styles, and personal preferences. Whether embracing the sleek look of cable railings, the rustic charm of wood railings, or the modern appeal of glass panels, the right choice can enhance the beauty and usability of a lakefront property. By carefully evaluating the options, lake homeowners can create an outdoor retreat that maximizes safety and scenic enjoyment for years. For more inspiration on home improvement, visit Lake Home Lifestyles.
When you are buying or selling, there may be terms thrown around, such as ” Highest” or “Best” when referring to offers. In reality, it’s not an auction. It’s actually the furthest thing from it. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down the different meaning meanings behind these terms.
Not An Auction!
Highest $ May Not Win: The highest is strictly just a number. This does not ensure whoever offers the highest amount will be the one purchasing the property. The seller is the one who decides who they want to do a transaction with.
Seller Selects Their Buyer: When it comes down to the transaction, it is fully up to the seller to decide how and if they want to proceed.
Look To “De-risk The Deal”– Remove the probability the seller might become uncomfortable with the offer.
Cash Versus Mortgage: Over half of the transactions done at Lake Homes Realty are made in cash. That doesn’t mean mortgages don’t happen. In the instances when a mortgage is in play, there is always the chance it won’t go through. There could even be an appraisal gap. Using cash is one less risk.
Timeframe Might Be Important: A seller could want to move very quickly or they might not have a time constraint. Utilizing the time frame and the nuances that come with it can help to make your offer the best.
Size Of Earnest Money: As a seller, seeing someone with a bigger size of earnest money can lead the seller to think they have more intent on wanting to purchase the home.
Fewer Contingencies: It’s not just the mortgage aspect. There could be home inspections, HOA fees, and a whole list of other things. If you are able to eliminate any of those extra contingencies, that can remove the possibility that the seller is uncomfortable.
Simplicity: If things become too complex, it can lead to the seller becoming confused, which, in turn, leads to the seller saying no.
When it really comes down to it, the “Highest and Best” offer can be great but can also hold a lot more nuance than people might realize. If you still have questions regarding which ways to navigate offers, talk with an agent at https://www.lakehomes.com/. They would be more than happy to help you along your real estate journey.
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