7 Reasons People Love Lake Living

There are two kinds of people: one that wants to live on a lake and the second is those who do. If you are wondering why lake living is so wonderful, then keep on reading. By the end of this list, you’ll wish your home was located next to a lake too.

1. Lake Fun

Lake Fun: Swimming

You will never run out of things to do! Lake living has its perks, and water activities are definitely on the top of the list. The lake will provide you with an avenue to have fun or to entertain the best events throughout the year. Here are just some of the activities you can do when owning a lake property:

  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Fishing
  • Boating

2. Relaxation

Woman relaxing on boat enjoying the view

There are studies that support the claim that water provides relaxation. Of course, it is quite obvious that it does. Remember those days when you visited the lake, all those comforting feelings and how you felt so happy?

The lake can provide this on a daily basis when you actually live on the lake. After a long day’s work, coming home to see the peaceful and serene visuals the lake offers instantly relaxes the homeowner. Imagine sitting on the patio and just soaking in the sun peering at peacefulness.

3. Privacy

Homes that are located on lots by the lake are typically more isolated from the public. If you are further from or have greenery blocking your neighbors; this means that you have more privacy.

You also have matured trees and nature surrounding your home that acts as a natural privacy “fence” that offers shielding from roads, neighbors, and people passing by.

4. Traffic

Autumnal road with colorful trees

Traffic can be annoying, especially when you live on a busy road or near a highway.

The traffic noises are intrusive and if you have animals or children, it can be quite dangerous. Say goodbye to all those semi-trucks, construction vehicles, and public buses.

5. Wildlife

Duck with baby ducklings following

All life needs water to sustain themselves. You live on a lake, so all of those beautiful and majestic animals share in your home.

You will see geese, ducks, deer, and so many other creatures of the wild.

6. Entertaining

Fourth of July at the lake party

You can host cookouts, birthday parties, annual summer parties, and so much more at your lake house.

You can even throw a bonfire party when the seasons begin to change that involves an overnight get-together where your guests can swim, fish, and roast marshmallows.

7. Community

Community of lake homeowners paddleboarding together

In this area, people tend to build very strong bonds with each other. You have a common bond: the love for the outdoors. It is extremely easy to get to know your neighbors when you spend time on your dock. You will pass by each other on your boats or go paddleboarding together. It is not like a typical neighborhood where you will just wave to each other whenever you get your mail.

Living on the lake is an amazing lifestyle. It is not just a home location. You will love your community and everything a lake has to offer. Choosing to live on a lake is a choice that is easy to make, and there are lakes to fit every desired lifestyle. If you think living on a lake may be the right choice for you, take a look at our homes for sale across the nation.

How to Accent Lake Views Using Indoor Design

home interiorIf you own a home with a beautiful view of the lake, then decorating your home to match the area is a great way to add to the ambiance. There are different themes you can use to offer a beautiful scene for your lakeside home.

These room themes can help accent your lake views using indoor design!

With each theme you choose, there are certain items that can be purchased.

  • Wall Décor
  • Trinkets
  • Throw Pillows
  • Quilt
  • Rugs
  • Picture Frames
  • Furniture Color

Fishing Theme

If you are an avid fisher, then this theme is perfect. From fishing theme throws and pillows, to a large stuffed bass on the wall, you can add to the view of your lake. A great idea to add to this theme is to find old fishing poles onto the wall for an added sense of being on the water.

Another wonderful idea is to use canoe paddles for wall decoration. To add to the warmth of this theme, use a quilt to put over the back of your sofa and other fishing related items.

  • Old Fishing Poles
  • Fish Netting
  • Stuffed Fish on Plaque
  • Paddles
  • Painting of Fishing Boats
  • Anchors

Underwater Theme

The underwater theme is a simple theme that will add to the view of your lake. Keep the theme to any aspect of being under the water like fish and underwater plants. Although this theme incorporates parts of the other themes, the main aspect of this theme is shades of blue and sparkling pieces.

  • Blue Throws
  • Blue Pillows
  • Water Scene Painting
  • Trinkets of Fish or Water Animals

Sea Side Theme

underwater home interiorIf you love the sun and the beach, then decorating your home with a seaside theme would be great to add to the view of the lake. There is decor you can purchase to add to it like visions of dolphins, crabs, and more.

This includes orange colored items, as well as yellow, blue, and other colors that offer a sense of being on the beach. It will allow you to feel refreshed and relaxed, all while looking through your window and the open water. There are different ideas that will help you add to this theme.

  • Paintings of the Beach
  • Decorative Bottle of Sand
  • Trinket of Children Building a Sand Castle
  • Star Fish Wall Decor
  • Fish Netting
  • Coral
  • Sea Horses

At times finding water related items can be difficult. One great way to add to the theme you choose is to visit a fabric store. They have a lot of different patterns that will match your theme. You are able to hand make pillows and cushion covers to ensure that your furniture matches the theme.

The one aspect to remember when redecorating is that if the item does not have a specific theme, at least make sure it is of the same color as the rest of the furniture or décor.

Small do-it-yourself projects can be fun and offer pieces to display. Adding to the view of your lake will help you take advantage of the great view that you have at your disposal. It will also give your friends and family a comfortable and relaxing area to bond and spend time with one another!

Great Closing Gifts for Closing on a Lake Home

GiftThe previous owner can thank the new owner by providing him with a closing gift as a sign of respect for the transaction done. In this article we will provide some great examples for closing gifts for closing on a lake home.

Spiritual gifts

Give a book that is all about love, joy, happiness, and belief as a gift to the new owner to congratulate them on a new start in an interesting way.

Dog and cat gifts

Families love their four legged animals and a gift for them would be appreciated deeply from all family members, in which the dog is included as well. You can buy dog and cat gift stacks with high quality products, cookies, doughnuts, and everything that pets will love.

Respecting new owner’s dog means you respect them as well. That is why this closing gift is highly recommended.

Patriotic gift

American FlagEvery American homeowner should have an American Flag in their home. That makes it a perfect closing and housewarming gift. Make sure the quality of the flag is high.

This gift is wonderful because everyone seldom thinks about buying it. The price is not high either; less than $50.

House portrait

If you really want to impress your client with a custom and great closing gift, provide them with a painting of the house where they are moving in.

Sign your name in the portrait and now it becomes a marketing piece. It is really impressive and amazes the clients every time. There are some websites where you can buy these portraits such as “CuteHousePortraits.Com”.

Night out

Rather than providing a materialistic gift, why not go out for a dinner and enjoy the night?

Make all the reservations for your dinner. Arrange limousine to pick you and your client up. Lastly, ask the restaurant staff to send a thank you letter to the client in your name. It would be truly memorable.

New experience

Similar to the last one, this is not materialistic but an activity. What if your client has everything and you do not know what to give to them?

How about for a new experience for which they will talk about years after? Choose a guided fishing trip on the lake or a sunset cruise on a sailboat.

Not only will it be an enjoyable outing, it will also help the homeowner to learn more about the lake that they will be living on!

Closing gifts are like the concluding remarks of an essay. If done properly and effectively, you will impress your audience, who in this case would be the client. It is the last thing they will see or hear from you so put some effort into it and you are almost guaranteed future referrals.

Benefits of a Mudroom in a Lake Home

When you are planning to construct a lake home or renovate it, consider adding a mudroom into it. Mudroom is usually placed in the garage, back door, or external location to the house.

MudroomThis room is used as an area where boots, umbrellas, outdoor toys, and many more things are stored. It is recommended that mudroom is made of wood or ceramic tile flooring for easy clean up.

When living on a lake, mudroom becomes especially necessary and useful room. There are several reasons pertaining to implementing a mudroom in your lake house. We will discuss some of them below.

Keep your house clean

The original purpose of the mudroom when it was initially started was to keep the house clean. Today, this statement still holds true, especially for families with children. The name of the room, mudroom, implies a place to take all dirty and wet items such as dirty boots or shoes, sports equipment, backpacks,  wet towels, etc.

Living  and playing on the lake will most likely mean you will return to the house wet or even muddy. Thus, all the dirt and mess goes in just one room, rather than the whole house. That makes it very easy to clean.

Store rarely used items

We all have those items that we almost never use but still occasionally come in handy. A mudroom eliminates this problem; it can be used as a storage room for these items as well to save the space from the other rooms.

For lake houses, this is an especially useful benefit. There are lots of equipment such as swim suits, hiking gears, rowing paddles, among other things that need to be stored somewhere. This is particularly true if you do not have a boat house.

Organize

This is especially helpful when season changes are taking place, and in the lake, these changes are greater. During these periods, there will be lake related material that you may not use for several months.

Winter season means we need gloves, hats, and coats whereas summer means shorts and flip-flops. Why let these clothes and accessories take all your space in the wardrobe when you can relocate all unnecessary clothing for the current season in the mudroom?

A mud room can be a great addition to any room, but they especially add value to homes by the lake!

How to Grow an Herb Garden in Your Kitchen

Herb gardenThere are many reasons why people chose to grow kitchen herb garden. They produce organic and healthy harvests and are cheap as well. They are easy to grow and all they need is sunlight and warmth. In case your kitchen lacks direct sunlight, you might place your herb in other rooms as well. Now, we’re going to give you a brief explanation on how to start your own kitchen herb garden.

The first step of growing kitchen herbs is deciding what plants we want to grow. The answer is simple; start with whatever you prefer to eat. Search on internet to find out what seeds or seedlings produce your favorite dish, and buy them at your local gardener.

The second step is to choose whether you need seeds or seedlings. You can buy seed packets, or buy herb seedling from local shops. If your choice is seedlings, make sure that the plant is not rootbound by checking the plant’s bottom.

Third step is to choose the seeds/seedlings that you want to buy. The most used seeds are Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, etc. Ask your local gardener or look up online which one would be a better choice to produce the harvests you desire.

What you’ll need:

Soil: Mix soil, moss, and perlite to produce a high quality soil for your herb garden. You can also buy this mixed soil in most garden stores for a reasonable price.

Herb containerContainers: You will need lots of containers to put your herbs in. Look in your house if you have some unused containers. If not, check the garden stores, they will definitely have them. When you find them, create drainage holes in its sides before planting seeds/seedling.

Sunlight: The most important factor in growing herb garden is providing enough sunlight for them to be able to grow. They must be exposed to sun between four to six hours every day. Less light will most likely prevent growth.

Now that you have everything that you need, let’s get started.

  • Place seeds in water for about two to four hours before planting them in soil. This will fill them with water they will struggle to find when they initially get planted.
  • Fill all containers with soil up to one inch below the rim. Plant seeds approximately one fourth of inch below the top of the soil. Putting them lower will most likely prevent them from ever reaching the surface whereas putting them higher will most likely decrease the amount of nutrients they can take.
  • Place the container in a place out of direct sun light until it starts to grow and water it often. Note however, that different plants require different amounts of water per day.
  • When you see the herb growing out, move the container to an area with sunlight exposure between four to six hours a day. Continue to water them accordingly.
  • Large numbers of seeds growing in one container is not a good thing; it is actually dangerous for them. They will all feed from the same soil and will most likely lack nutrition. Thus, if several seeds grow, remove a few of them to allow the other seeds to grow. Be careful while you are removing the seeds, you might accidentally damage other seeds as well.
  • If planting seedlings, bury the roots in the soil and put it immediately in the sunny area.
  • When herbs are grown, harvest them. Leave the sprigs of every herb so they will grow back again so you will have herbs in the future as well.

By following these steps, you will create a kitchen herb garden and start growing your own healthy food.

What Type of Boat Fits Your Lifestyle?

Picking out a boat does not have to be a difficult process, you just need to know what you plan on using it for.

A boat will give your family many fun times and great memories on the lake. However, in order to do this, you have to choose what type of boat best fits your needs.

pontoon boat at sunset what boat type is best for youPontoon Boats

A pontoon boat is considered to be flotation device that can hold a large weighted load. It includes a flat surface unlike other boats and relies on pontoons to float. This boat is almost like a boat and raft hybrid.

Many people treat this as a floating patio due to the flat surface and the overhead roof. They barbeque and enjoy the day in the water.

Pontoons are great for families in all age ranges and make for a relaxing day out on the lake!

Bass Boats

Bass boats are a great way to go fishing in style. They are smaller than a pontoon boat and are designed for fishing and built for speed.

These typically only seat 2-3 people so you will have to plan your outings with just a couple of friends or maybe you and your two kids. Generally these boats are purchased for fresh water lakes and features swivel chairs, storage bins, and livewells for your catch.

You can store life preservers inside the boat, as well as fishing tackle and more. This is great (and obvious) choice if fishing is your priority.

Wake Boats

This specific boat is designed to offer a large shaped wake for wakeboarders to jump and launch from. The wakeboard is a V-drive boat which means that they are an inboard boat, which includes a rear-facing engine.

This type of engine is used in order to keep the weight placed towards the back of the boat. Another feature of this boat that is standard is a wakeboard tower. The tower is typically used to elevate the pulling position of ropes that allow the rider to launch and stay in the air much longer.

These boats are perfect for those who love to ski, wakeboard, or even wakesurf!

Canoe

CanoeThis boat is perfect for the minimalist. It is a lightweight narrow designed boat that seats 1-3 people. There are no motors here; canoes are propelled manually by the occupants using paddles.

They are used for many purposes that include racing, touring, camping, and whitewater canoeing. They are made of different woods and can vary in size depending on your needs.

Choosing a boat is all about determining what activities you plan to do on the lake. If you only plan to fish, then having a bass boat may be a great idea. However, if you plan on visiting with family, fishing, and swimming, then the pontoon boat may be the way to go.

No matter which boat you decide on, do your research before you buy. Then, and this is most important, be safe and have fun on the lake!

Curtain Wall Construction: Building With a Lake View

Most of the time when we think of a lake home or a boat house,  the first thing that comes to our mind is a great room with a fantastic view of the lake or surrounding area. In order to obtain such a view, we need a wall that is not obstructed by a lot of building post and other materials. One that will keep us from having that open feeling while we are in the room.

By using a method that has recently been adapted for smaller buildings, this effect can be obtained with no problem. A curtain wall with lots of glass will give you outstanding performance and provide many years of visual pleasure.

What is a curtain wall?

Curtain walls were developed for use on taller steel structures, such as multi-story buildings and skyscrapers. This method is one by which a steel structure is erected and a frame of lightweight aluminum and glass is hung on the side of the structure.

A metal frame would be custom built to the size and specifications to fit the building.

This frame is equipped with several different types of gaskets to hold the glass in place. The frame will then hang on the side of a building, much like a curtain would hang in your home.

In more recent years, developments have been made to adapt this same principle to smaller buildings such as residential dwellings.

Benefits of Curtain Wall Construction

There are several ways you will benefit when you choose to use a curtain wall in your construction or remodeling project. One of the best ways, is the opportunity to open your room up and give it a freeing, scenic view.

Most of the time when you design a lodge or a camp, you will have what is known as a great room. This is usually the first room you will encounter when you walk into a camp, lodge, or lake house.

When you look at the front of the room, you will more than likely be facing the lake or other important land features that are visible through a large opening in the building. This large glass filled opening can be obtained because of the curtain wall method.

You will also receive lifelong benefits from the glass and aluminum construction when it comes to maintenance. You will never have to worry about the frame rotting or it being in need of caulking and repainting each year.

You can also take advantage of the natural lighting that the glass will provide you, keeping the rooms nice and cozy during the winter months. The tinted glass will also help provide protection against the heat during the summer, lowering your cooling costs!

Get in touch with your local contractor and ask about curtain wall construction on your next lake home project, as it is a great option for lake living and the best views possible!

8 Amazing Lake Toys You Didn’t Know You Needed

The 2015 Atlanta Boat show has once again come and gone, and this year, it was bigger than ever! The Lake Homes Realty booth stayed busy with interested home buyers and sellers all weekend and was manned by corporate staff and a rotating list of lake expert agents from across five states.

While our primary goal at the show was to provide value to potential clients, I also took the opportunity to meet other exhibitors and learn about their lake focused companies.

Here is my list of the 8 unique lake toys that lake homeowners didn’t know they needed:

amphibious vehicle on the lake1. Quadski – Sports Amphibian

Located right across from our booth was the Gibbs Quadski, an ATV that transforms into a jetski in only 4 seconds! With this high end lake toy, you can go anywhere. It can reach speeds of 45MPH, both on land, and on the water. It is even rated for operation in salt water, so bring it with you on your next beach trip!

If you’re interested in checking out one of these bad boys, visit Hide Away Harbor in Tuscaloosa, AL, the regional vendor for Quadskis!

2. Bum Float

For a more affordable lake toy geared at relaxing in the lake, take a look at the bum float. It is a floatation device design to be worn where else? Your bum! While it may look like a big diaper out of the water, the bum float is the best way to relax in the lake with a cold beverage.

3. Floating Bar

Speaking of cold beverages, a great way to store and enjoy them while on the lake is the floating bar and cooler combo. This setup holds a 33 quart Coleman cooler, has 4 connectable table sections with cup holders, and is covered by a pop up canopy. Who wouldn’t enjoy having their own swim up bar at the lake?

4. Aqua Stairs

When it finally comes time to get out of the lake, nothing makes it easier than Aqua-Stairs. Instead of climbing a ladder to get back on the dock, the Aqua Stairs allows you to simply walk out of the water. It even allows pets a way to easily return to the dock; your canine pals will thank you.

5. Deluxe Patio Umbrellas

If you want to add some shade to an area, you may want to consider a patio umbrella from Vrienden. These monsters are up to 10’x10′. They are built to withstand winds up to 35 MPH, are quick and easy to reposition or take down, and come standard with LED lights built in.

6. Bob Light

For the fisherman, the Bob Light is a new type of bobber for night fishing. The LED on the float is pointed down into the water and illuminates the angler’s bait, helping to attract fish.

7. Ryan-O Dock Roller

Looking for a way to protect both your boat and your dock when entering or leaving your slip? The Ryan-O Dock Roller system prevents damage to both by placing a padded roller between your boat and your dock.

softub outdoors8. Softub

If you’ve thought about a hot tub for your lake home, you may want to consider a Softub. With 3 step installation you simply roll the spa where you want it, connect it to the Hydromate with a screw driver, and fill it up. It even operates off of a standard 120V outlet so you can set it up virtually anywhere.

Did you attend the Atlanta Boat Show this year? If so let us know what your favorite part of the show was, or if you have an item at the lake that you just can’t live without, send me an email and tell me about it!


Portrait of Eli Kirkley

Eli Kirkley is Director of Communications at Lake Homes Realty

Join Us At The 2015 Atlanta Boat Show

atlanta boat show presented by progressiveIt’s that time of the year again! The Atlanta Boat Show runs from January 15th through the 18th, and we would love to see you there!

Lake Homes Realty staff and real estate agents will be available throughout the entire show and look forward to discussing all things lake living!

Considering a lake home?

If you are thinking about buying a lake home, we want to make the process as easy as possible!

LakeHomes.com now has over 15,000 properties for sale across 105 lakes. We will have local, specialized lake agents from states across the South including Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee!

Our agents know the ins and outs of their lake market and will be more than willing to help you find a lake property that best fits your needs!

Tell us about your experience with Lake Homes!

Have you used LakeHomes.com to find a property or used a Lake Homes Realty real estate agent? We want to hear about your experience! Stop by the booth and tell us your story! We will be glad to share a token of our appreciation!

The show.

The Atlanta Boat show is an annual event and is a great place with something for the whole family. For the kids there will be a surfing simulator, a kids sea park, and a chance to meet Dora the Explorer.

For mom and dad there are fishing seminars, home improvement and DIY demonstrations, sailing tutorials, and of course, boats!

The schedule.

The show will be 11am-9PM this Thursday and Friday, 10-am-9pm on Saturday, and 10am-6pm on Sunday. The event takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center, hall C.

Lake Homes Realty will be located in the same space as last year, in booth 332,