Tag: vacation homes

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a Lake Home

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Homeowners being handed keys owning a lake home

Home ownership is a big deal and a large part of the American dream. And when that home is a lake home, it makes the dream even more vivid. But owning a lake home is no walk in the park. It requires long-term commitment and a ton of responsibility to keep the place up and running.

The maintenance in and of itself is a lot to keep up with, and at a lake home, maintenance is an even bigger factor.

That’s why so many choose to just rent vacation homes for a few months at a time rather than buy them.

So how do you decide when it’s a good idea to opt for ownership? Let’s take a look at some common advantages and disadvantages of owning a lake home. That way, you can make a sound decision about what’s best for you and your family in the future.

The Advantages of Owning a Lake Home

Luxury lake home owning a lake home

Most of the advantages of owning a lake home are glaringly obvious, while some aren’t as easy to spot at face value.

First, mortgage costs–which are typically fixed-rate payments–are more stable and predictable than rental rates, which are known to fluctuate. Additionally, buying is often cheaper than renting.

When making the switch from renting to owning, the average person adds one bedroom and 400 square feet to their home, according to Zillow’s 2017 Consumer Housing Trends Report.

Assuming they make a 20 percent down payment and a typical monthly rate, the average renter could buy a larger home and still pay $330 less each month on their mortgage than if they were renting.

Two people sitting in Adirondack chairs

Also, when market conditions are stable, homes tend to increase in value and build equity, making them sound financial investments. If you use your lake home as a second home, renting it out a few times during the year can speed up the process and make for an extremely lucrative source of residual income.

According to Home Away’s Vacation Rental Marketplace Report, in 2014, vacation rental owners charged an average rental rate of $1,520 per week ($217/night). That translates to a residual annual income of $27,360 for the owners, and that’s just on average. 

Home Away also noted that 54 percent of vacation homeowners cover at least three-quarters of their mortgage costs by renting their homes to vacationers. In short, owning a vacation home can make you some money.

Additionally, owning a home creates an asset that will only increase in value for years to come.

The Disadvantages of Owning a Lake Home

Homeowner struggling to calculate bills of owning a lake home

As with any home, ownership of a lake home does come with its disadvantages.

For starters, owning a home is essentially growing roots. It ties you to your community and makes it difficult to just pick up and leave.

This long-term financial commitment includes high up-front costs like down payments, closing costs and moving expenses. Plus, in many cases Home Owners’ Association fees are inevitable.

It’s also harder to qualify for a loan on a second home than on a primary residence. Those shopping for secondary residences are often expected to have higher credit scores and put more money down.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the higher down payments reduce the lenders’ risk if the borrower defaults, which is seen as more likely with second homes.

Another disadvantage: as a homeowner, all repairs and maintenance responsibilities fall on you.

Lake house dock repair
Photo courtesy of HMB Lake Norman.

And lake homes tend to require more frequent repairs and maintenance. Since lakes are usually surrounded by more trees than the average neighborhood, structural damage to roofs/buildings are a real threat.

Lake homeowners also have to fight against mold and mildew, which is more prevalent thanks to all the moisture in the air.

In addition to all of that, traditional wooden docks tend to have a lifespan of 20-25 years. This can be shortened in the face of environmental factors like storms or water damage, so frequent upkeep is a necessity.

These disadvantages, while inconvenient, are inevitable aspects of owning a lake home. But do the pros outweigh the cons?

So Is It Worth It?

Man sitting on lake dock enjoying sunset

The good thing about lake living is that the experience varies greatly depending on what lake you choose to buy on, so you have options.

Purchasing a home in a small, suburban community that has a tiny lake for aesthetic purposes is a lot different than buying a waterfront estate on New York’s Lake George.

Lakes are perfect for those who prefer peaceful, tranquil living to hectic city life. And if you actually like hectic city life, there’s a lake for that.

Do you like hiking, mountain biking, skiing or sledding? There’s a lake for that. Are you into nature photography, hunting or fishing? There are so many lakes for that.

Purchasing a lake home has its disadvantages that are similar to what you’d face buying any home.

However, it’s a sound financial investment, a valuable generational asset, and it offers a certain lifestyle you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.

Whether you plan to live there full time or visit only when the weather’s nice, buying a lake home is totally worth it.

Important Questions to Ask Your Potential Neighbors

Posted on Staff
Get to know your future neighbors before you buy with these three important questions.

Congratulations on finding the perfect lake home!

You’ve talked to your agent, the listing agent and even the sellers to get as much information as possible on the average cost of living in the area, the neighborhood and the homeowner’s association.

By now, you are probably thinking there can’t possibly be any more questions to be answered, but not so fast.

Before buying a home, it is always a good idea to talk to your prospective neighbors. They could be a potential source of invaluable information.

So before you dot the I’s and cross those T’s, consider asking your neighbors-to-be these important questions:

How long have you lived here?

The answer to this question may be simple, but you can learn a lot from how long someone has lived in the neighborhood.

confused business man with question make above his head

If the neighbors have lived in the area for a number of years, they can speak to how the neighborhood has changed and can give insight into the benefits and disadvantages of living in the area, such as a strict HOA.

These neighbors can also give an indication about how long people typically live in the area by pointing out how many new faces they’ve seen come and go in the time they have resided there. You might ask if residents are year-round or seasonal, as well.

In this conversation you could also ask if the neighborhood holds any annual events such as holiday boat parades or a Memorial Day cookout.

How often is crime reported in the area?

Lake houses are frequently bought as second or vacation homes, which means they are not lived in year-round.

Because they are often unoccupied, it is exceptionally important to know how often police and other first-responders are called to the neighborhood.

Prospective neighbors can give you a sense of whether police are called on a regular basis for issues of burglary, theft and vehicle-related crimes.

Frequent police visits are often a red flag for buyers; however, a neighborhood that is NEVER visited may not be the best thing either.

Ask the residents how frequently officers patrol the neighborhood. In neighborhoods where residents are seasonal, regularly scheduled patrols can provide some peace of mind that owners’ properties are being looked after.

What is your favorite and least favorite things about living here?

Whether they have lived there for two years or 20, your potential neighbors will have their fair share to say about what it’s like to live in the area.

By asking this question, you could learn about how everyone in the neighborhood gets along, what the noise levels are like, and if the community is kid friendly or not.

Neighbors could also tell you if the area floods, if the neighborhood is subject to power outages and some of the HOA rules and regulations.

Is there anything I should know about this home?

Finally, be sure to ask your neighbors-to-be if there is anything out of the ordinary you should know about the home you are looking to buy.

Of course, some people want to know if the house is said to be haunted or if anyone has died there.

But more seriously, current neighborhood residents can tell you whether the home was lived in long-term or if it has had many owners.

Additionally, you can learn if the current owners ever had issues with areas of the house flooding, electrical problems, how their lawn was cared for, etc.

Prospective neighbors can be invaluable sources of information. So before you buy, be sure to get to know the neighborhood by getting to know the neighbors.

 

For more home buying advice, take a look at our “5 Questions Before Choosing a Lake Home” and “Questions to Ask about Your Local HOA Before Buying” articles!

Smart Home Tech for Seniors

Posted on Staff

Smart gadgets for your home are becoming more and more commonplace. But homeowners don’t have to be tech gurus to make smart updates to their homes, especially those who are reaching  retirement age.

The”aging in place” movement emphasizes how smart home improvements can help the baby boomer generation save money, time, and energy though simple smart home improvements.

See how your life can be made easier, safer and greener with these handy smart home gadgets!

Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Ecobee devices work by monitoring outdoor, indoor and body temperatures through sensors placed throughout the home.

These sensors help regulate room temperatures based on occupancy by detecting temperature changes caused by people entering or exiting a space.Smart home map

Through this technology, the Ecobee smart thermostat saves consumers an average of 23 percent on energy bills annually, according to the company’s website.

Like many modern thermostats, Ecobee can be set to kick on when residents are expected to be home and off when they are away.

Unlike traditional devices however, temperature readings and activity reports can be accessed remotely through Ecobee’s smartphone app.

Homeowners can also control temperature settings from the app as well as receive energy conservation reports and system alerts at no additional cost.

Most Ecobee systems are compatible with smart hubs like Amazon Alexa, Echo and Samsung SmartThings and can be installed without the help of an electrician.

Ecobee home systems start at $169.

For more product information and pricing, visit the Ecobee smart thermostat website here.

Roomba and Braava Cleaning Systems by iRobot

iRobot is making the “self-cleaning home” dream a reality with their Roomba automatic vacuums.

Each system features the iRobot patented three-stage cleaning technology, which “loosens, lifts and suctions dirt” from all floor types and can run for 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the model.

All Roomba vacuums are wifi compatible, with the exception of the base model, Roomba 614. Wifi connection allows users to schedule cleaning times, pause cleaning and keep the device up to date with the latest operating system.

These hands-free cleaners use sensors to make 60 decisions per second to detect dirt, cleaning paths and obstacles to avoid while operating. Such obstacles include furniture, toys, and corners of the room.

The Roomba’s companion, iRobot’s “Braava,” combines the basic components of the vacuum with Swifter-like elements to provide homeowners with an automatic broom and mop system.

Braava offers two devices, the jet and 300 series, which can perform wet mopping, damp or dry sweeping and can clean spaces 200 square feet to 1000 square feet in size.

A complete list of models and performance capabilities can be found at irobot.com.

Lutron Automatic Lights

Lutron products are all about conserving energy and saving money. Simply installing one of the company’s motion activated lighting controls can help homeowners cut annual energy costs by 20 to 60 percent.

Lutron’s Maestro occupancy/vacancy sensors detect motion through temperature changes and ultrasonic sound waves upon one’s entering or exiting a room.

As changes and motion are detected, wall or ceiling sensors will trigger the light.

Spaces to consider installing motion sensors include closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens, where lights are frequently lit while not in use.

Maestro sensors can typically be installed without the help of a professional and can be found online or at most major hardware stores starting at $20.

Discover how Lutron can make a difference in your home by visiting their products page here.

7 Remarkable Lake Homes You Can Buy Today

Posted on Staff

Some of the remarkable lake homes on this list are giant and luxurious while others are tiny (No really, we have a “tiny” lake house for sale), but all of them have unique qualities that make them stand-out properties for buyers.

1.    Have Your Own Peninsula on Lake Murray

Lake Murray Lake Home

Lake Murray Peninsula Home Master Bath
Lake Murray Peninsula Home Master Bath

A lake house on its own peninsula that has a huge rock staircase that goes right into the lake?

Lake Murray lake home water view
Lake Murray lake home water view

Believe it or not, this Lake Murray lake home with six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half-baths, has water on three sides.

It also features a master bath that

Lake Murray Elysium Front View
Lake Murray Elysium Front View

extends the full width of the house, as well as a Gunite pool.

Check out the photos and see all the crazy stuff this house has to offer for only $1,900,000.

 

 

 

 

 

Tiny House on Center Hill Lake
Tiny House on Center Hill Lake

2.    Tiny Lake Home For Under $200,000 In Tennessee

Think you can’t afford a lake house? This tiny lake home on Center Hill Lake might prove you wrong. For under $200,000, you can have this 1-bedroom, 1-bath Tennessee lake home with a humongous deck and gorgeous lake views.

3.    Elysium at Lake Murray

This home lives up to its fascinating name. Elysium has five bedrooms, four baths, and almost 5,000 square feet of luxurious living space. One thing that makes this South Carolina lake house particularly desirable is its construction. According to Doug Geisler of Lake Homes Realty, “[Elysium] is the most solidly constructed home I have ever put my feet in. You won’t hear a single squeak as you walk its floors or up its stairs. It is quite amazing.”

Lake Home

4.    Log Cabin Paradise on Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake real estate doesn’t get better than this! For only $695,000, this gorgeous lake home has five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, five garages, and a unique elevated tower with two levels of windows.  Four balconies and decks all face the lake and the 400 feet of dockable waterfront shoreline on this 2-acre lot. There are also multiple fireplaces, custom carvings, and stained glass windows in this amazing house.

Video of Cherokee Lake Home

Log Cabin at Cherokee Hill
Log Cabin at Cherokee Hill

Living Room in Cherokee Lake Log Cabin
Living Room in Cherokee Lake Log Cabin

5.    “The Castle” at Lewis Smith Lake

With its impressive size and high rock walls, this Smith Lake lake home is affectionately known as “Smith Lake Castle.” Located on 18 acres overlooking the main channel, this four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home is one of the most interesting properties you will ever see anywhere.

For starters, the master suite covers an entire floor. There is extensive custom tile work, a gourmet kitchen, a beautiful solarium, and dozens of windows. If that’s not enough, there is also a workshop with a five-car garage.

Water View of Smith Lake Castle
Water View of Smith Lake Castle

Aerial View of the Smith Lake Castle
Aerial View of the Smith Lake Castle

Smith Lake Castle Workshop and Garage

 6.    Off the Grid on Norris Lake

This romantic lakefront home is located on Norris Lake about 50 miles from Knoxville, Tenn. What makes this three-bedroom, three-bath lake home special is the state-of-the-art wood stove that delivers high-efficiency heat, and its unique lake-drawn water system. A wonderful bonus is the home’s convenient proximity to a 24,000-acre wildlife management area.

Norris Lake Front View of Lake Home
Norris Lake Front View of Lake Home

Norris Lake Dinning View Over the Lake
Norris Lake Dinning View Over the Lake

7.    Stunning Lake Sinclair Lake Home for Under $600,000

This property stands out in almost every way. Landscaped grounds will make you feel like you are in Augusta, Georgia, instead of at Lake Sinclair. A gazebo-style screened dining room, and full-size lakefront deck that spans the main level, will give you perfect waterfront views whether your family is enjoying a leisure dinner or afternoon drinks. An outdoor kitchen, outdoor stacked-stone fireplace, in-ground saltwater heated spa, and surround-sound speakers inside and out will make sure you never want to leave! This gorgeous home has everything you could ask for in a lake house.

Lakeside Lawn

Screened in Dining Room

Lake Sinclair Outdoor Fireplace
Lake Sinclair Outdoor Fireplace

6 Reasons We Prefer a Lake Home to a Beach House

Posted on Staff
Lake House VS Beach house what is the best for me | Lake Homes Realty

There are cat people and there are dog people. Chocolate or vanilla? Lake home or beach house? When it comes down to it, there is no right or wrong answer, but here are six reasons why we prefer a lake home to a beach house!

Reason #1: Sand

Little girl playing in sand at beach

Sand. Sand everywhere.

If you spend time out on the beach, prepare to bring pounds of it back home with you.

You can rest assured that the hard-to-clean-up substance will end up in your shoes, your car, all around the house, and even in the bed.

Oh, and that’s without even mentioning sand spurs or sand gnats/flies!

Reason #2: Salt Water

Some may prefer the saltwater to the freshwater, but it’s nice to be able to look around underwater unaided by goggles and without burning your eyes.

Reason #3: Sharks

No swimming sharks sign

While not a completely rational fear, there is a percentage of the population who is afraid of sharks.

If that’s the case, come on over to the lake.

There are no freshwater sharks, with the exception of the bull shark, which can travel up rivers but generally stays near the coast.

Not to mention, there is no way for a bull shark to get over a man-made dam which almost all lakes of size are created by.

Reason #4: Rope Swings/Cliff Faces

Man swinging on rope swing at lake with dog

Beaches do not offer trees, nor does it offer a “deep area” where someone can just jump in the water from some height.

You are forced to wade into the shallow water until it gradually gets deeper.

On the other hand, lakes can be hundreds of feet deep right at the edge of the shoreline. This provides ample opportunity for cliff jumping, launching from a rope swing, or perfecting your dive!

Reason #5: Docks

Older retired man relaxing on dock at lake

A large portion of lakeside properties includes a private dock or the ability to construct one, whereas many beach homes do not.

Similar to reason 4, this can provide a platform to dive into the water, even from as high as 25 feet if you have a double-decker dock.

In addition to diving, the dock provides an excellent platform to fish from, and many species of fish will naturally take cover in the water under the dock.

It’s also the perfect place to relax or hang out.

You can grill out, sunbathe, read a book, or whatever you’d like, all the while enjoying the sounds and scenery of being right on the lake.

Reason #6: Cost/Availability

Historic Charleston lake community on Colonial Lake

While both freshwater and coastal shorelines can only provide a finite amount of real estate, there are actually many more miles of lake shoreline than coastal.

In fact, there are more lake shoreline miles in the state of Alabama than there are coastline miles on the entire Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico (in the U.S.) combined.

What does this boil down to? Supply and demand.

Both properties are more costly than your average primary home, but there is a much larger supply of lake property, making it a lower price point in many instances.

At the end of the day, both lake and beach properties make for fantastic getaways. And though we may be a little bit biased, there are pros and cons to each location.

We just choose to head to the lake.

Do you prefer the lake? If so let us know why in the comments below!

Visit Us at the 2016 Atlanta Boat Show!

Posted on Staff

2016 Atlanta Boat Show LogoAnother year, another boat show!

This year the Atlanta Boat Show runs from January 14 – 17,  and we would love to see you there!

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

In the past two years, we have met hundreds of lake lovers, marveled at the best in class boats, and met vendors for all kinds of lake related items, and this year should be bigger than ever!

Thinking About Buying on the Lake?

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

LakeHomes.com now has more than 32,000 properties for sale across 200+ lakes.

We will have local, specialized lake agents from states across the South, including Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina!

Some of the lake expert agents who are attending will be from lakes including Lake Lanier, Lake Jackson, Lake Allatoona, Lake Martin, Lake Hartwell and more.

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.

2015 atlanta boat show lake homes realty booth
Lake Homes Realty booth from the 2015 Atlanta Boat Show

Talk to Us about Your Lake Experience

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.

Or, even if you have not used our services, just drop by, and tell us all about your lake experience.

We always love to hear about your lake, and why it is special to you.

What to Do at the Show

The Atlanta Boat Show is an annual event held at the Georgia World Congress Center and features more than just boats for sale.

This year’s Kid Zone will feature face painting, balloon art, a bouncy area, trout fishing and other kid friendly events.

For the older kids (like mom and dad!) there will be attractions such as the Miss GEICO speedboat, a giant aquarium for bass fishing, a sailing simulator, live music and so much more!

There will also be educational opportunities and special classes on DIY boat maintenance and repair, as well as other topics such as fishing and boat safety.

The Show Schedule

The show will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Thursday (1/14) and Friday (1/15), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday (1/16), and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (1/17).

The event takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center, hall C.

Lake Homes Realty will be located in the same space as the last 2 years, in booth 332. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

8 Essential Marketing Tips for Renting Out Your Lake Home

Posted on Staff

hands holding up the word "advice" You have to admit, your vacation lake home is your little piece of paradise.

It’s the spot you escape to in the summer. But now it’s time for closing it up for a long cold winter.

The idea of it sitting there until spring sometimes raises a little concern. So, have you considered renting it out while you’re gone?

Here are some essential marketing strategies for finding tenants.

Find Your Target Audience

First and foremost you’ll need to know what type of people want to come to your lake home in the winter, when you’re heading away from it.

Not everyone is going to be a snowbird, but there are plenty of people who enjoy being on a lake in the winter.

Think snowmobiles, ice skating, skiing and other outdoor activities if that’s what people tend to do in your area during that time of year.

For those in a warmer climate, snowbirds looking to escape the bitter cold, experience the natural beauty and local wildlife, and just get away from it all, will probably be your demographic.

Provide Valuable Information

Since the Internet, we have access to all kinds of information, and this is where the majority of people will start their search for a rental.

People will research all available options, so make sure you have as much information available about your property.

When it comes to marketing your vacation lake home, take a few minutes and make a list of all the things that people can do around that area in the winter time.

For instance, if bird watching is popular, provide a list of birds that are local, and include the best areas to see them.

Other examples of local activities and attractions could include local hunting lodges, boat rentals, marinas, fishing guides or anything else that would be of interest for potential renters.

home with "for rent" sign in front of it List the Rental As Many Places as Possible

There are many rental websites available out there, and to maximize your exposure you should make sure you are listed on all of them.

Whether it is a niche rental website specifically for lake homes, or a more general site like Airbnb, create a detailed description of your property and provide plenty of quality photos.

Some of these websites charge to advertise, but many of them will only take a percentage off the back-end of a rental, so you only pay if the website provides a renter.

While you may be tempted to cut out the middle man and create your own website, keep in mind that you will never be able to compete with these websites when it comes to web exposure.

They will always be on the front page of all search engines; organically and in paid ads.

Be Active on Social Media

Everyone understands the power of Facebook and other social media platforms. So put them to good use.

Some social media networks focus on images, like Pinterest and Instagram. Spend a few minutes each day posting images and following other people who might be interested in what you have to offer.

Leave a link to your website, or a phone number, so people can get in touch easily.

Post images on Twitter, and use good hashtags to target people.

And, of course, Facebook is a great place to post and tag your photos. Find Facebook groups that have people looking to do activities in your area, and share your information.

Run Specials and Have Reasonable Rates

If you are in the South with no nearby ice skate or skiing, there probably isn’t a high demand in the colder months.

Recognize this, and lower your rates accordingly. You can also encourage rentals through specials such as, “Rent my home for 5 days, get the weekend free!”

Test out different promotions, such as a free weekend giveaway.

To enter the drawing require that people on social media like your page, and share your content. This will grow your future customer base and could lead to more steady booking in the future.

Encourage Feedback and Reviews

Follow-up with your customers after each stay, and find out about their experience.

If they had a positive experience, politely request that they provide an appropriate review of your lake home on the website on which they found it.

If they do give you a 5 star or glowing review be sure to send them a thank you card, or even a small token of your appreciation, such as a small gift card.

If they had a negative experience, hopefully they will have contacted you during their stay and given you a chance to remedy the problem.

If not, apologize, let them know you will be fixing whatever they experienced immediately, and actually follow through.

Keep it Current

Keep your photos on rental websites and social media-up-to date.

Yes, your carpet was absolutely gorgeous 5 years ago, but now it is faded and frayed.

Putting out the 5-year-old picture may get your more rentals, but you immediately lose their trust and any future business. Keep your pictures up to date and all of your descriptions honest.

Pass the Buck

Most areas will have real estate or rental agencies who will handle the entire process for you, but at a cost.

This can be a great option for anyone who doesn’t have time or just doesn’t feel like putting up with the headache of marketing, renting, cleaning and maintaining the property.

These are just a handful of ways to help market your lake home and keep it rented during the winter.

If you’d like to share any strategies that have worked for you please post in the comments below!

 

 

 

3 Reasons You Have to Visit the Lake This Fall

Posted on Staff

lake view in the fallFall is here, and with its arrival, many people end their great summer vacations, get back to school, and get ready to enjoy hot cider, pumpkins, and fall leaves at home.

But wait! Just because fall is here doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice getaway.

In fact, there are many points in favor of taking a getaway to the lake in the fall rather than the summer.

After all, who wants to fight traffic, crowded boat landings and lakes full of cruisers, skiers and anglers?

Kids can get grumpy in the summer heat and parents, exhausted. And don’t forget the bugs are out, and there are just so many people.

Ok, ok, so the lake in summer is not that bad (it’s actually great!), but there are some experiences you can only have if you visit the lake this fall.

Fewer People

There are fewer people visiting the lake in the fall.

Sure, people come to hike or take photos, but the beaches around the lake aren’t packed with college kids or families coated in sunblock.

The access roads are actually accessible in the fall, and the main channel isn’t overcrowded with other boaters.

If you don’t like crowds of people, or suffer from “boat” rage, the lake during the fall is the ideal.

Scenic Views

Everything just looks better in the fall.

Lakes are beautiful year-round, but imagine the trees around the lake in fall colors, and a lovely fall sunset that makes everything seem much more vivid.

The fall twilight makes your beloved lake home look and feel even more cozy. Enjoy long walks while taking in the views, and appreciate the wild outdoors at its most beautiful.

Better yet, hit the lake.

Before winterizing your boat and docking it for the year, hit the water to take in all the colors of the fall leaves.

Weather

Anyone who says they don’t like fall weather is just crazy, so don’t listen to them. Autumn marks cooler temperatures, but straddles the line between “hot” and “cold” perfectly.

In the summer, you’re sweating on your walk or in the boat out in the open lake, the sun is burning you, and you’re tired before the day is done.

In the fall, you can walk or boat all day without truly getting overheated, and the bugs have mostly gone away so you won’t be lathering yourself in DEET.

Let’s paint a new picture, shall we?

Imagine cruising down the open highway, enjoying a sing-a-long with your kids, headed to your weekend getaway in a great cabin by the lake.

You get to enjoy the fall foliage while you  walk along your favorite trail, which is no longer crowded, at your leisure in the crisp air.

The bugs have gone or quieted down, and the animals are out in full force, giving you a great wildlife-watching experience.

The climate is perfect sweater weather, and you can stay out all day without getting cold or hot.

The leaves on the ground, and the colors of the trees, provide a fantastic backdrop for your new Facebook cover photo, making all of your friends instantly jealous of your fall retreat.

At night in your comfy cabin, the kids rest peacefully as there are no late night boaters out creating noise pollution, and you and your spouse enjoy a nice cider or pumpkin beer on the patio, listening to the rustle of the leaves.

While a lake home is typically seen as a great place to spend the summer, if that is the only time you utilize your space you are only getting a fraction of the benefits of lake living!

 

 

Part 2: Cons of Renting Out Your Lake Home

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

There are many pros to renting out your lake home, as we previously discussed. However, it is best to know all of the details. There are also cons to renting out your home, and you should consider all aspects of the situation before you make a decision.

No Vacations Last Minute

You will have black out dates, which are expected when renting out your lake home. These dates are when you will be visiting the home and enjoying your time.

However, when you are renting out the lake home, you will not be able to make a split decision on a whim to relax at your second home due to occupants.

Play the Roll of a Landlord

rental homePlaying the roll of a landlord is a very time consuming roll. It is especially time consuming when you have ongoing maintenance to perform at the lake home. You are the one who will be responsible for the repairs.

Strangers Move into Your Home

You have to really understand the concept of renting out a home that you also live in part time. You will need to become comfortable with strangers living in your home. They will be using your facilities, your beds, entertainment system, and even possibly interacting with your lake neighbors.

Wear and Tear

Things break, it is inevitable. However, they will need repairs or have less life due to more use. The home will have more wear and tear on it than a typical home. There is no down time for the home and the appliances in the house. They may need to be replaced sooner than expected due to the usage levels.

Now that we have covered both sides of renting out a lake home, hopefully you are ready to make a well informed decision on what to do with yours!