5 Key Questions When Buying Luxury Lake Homes

As the days begin to get shorter and the nights a little cooler, for many people, summer vacations at quaint cottages and luxury lake homes are a pleasant memory. Fall is a perfect time to ponder easy living by the lake, so if you find yourself considering relocation or searching for your own Grand Rapids lake home, we have some tips.

1. How do you expect to
   enjoy the water? In Michigan, with over 11,000 inland lakes and of course
   the surrounding Great Lakes, there is a lakefront home for every lifestyle, and
   it’s just a matter of finding the right fit for you. You may dream of water
   sports, a sandy swimming beach, secret trout holes, or a relaxing view. Allow
   yourself to dream, and then decide what that means in practical terms – a large
   all sports lake, a quiet shallow pond, or a protected marsh.
2. When do you plan to
   spend time at your lake home? Primarily on the weekends, year-round, or
   some combination of the two? Often people from Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit,
   or New York, who are interested in relocation may search Grand Rapids lake
   homes for a year-round home or a home to retire in. The amount of time you plan
   to spend in the home can make the difference in whether you choose a
   low-maintenance seasonal cottage or a year-round luxury lake home.
3. What is your appetite
   for renovation? Do you like to do your own renovation, do you enjoy the
   process of redesigning and hiring renovators, or are you looking for a lake
   home that is move-in ready? Some buyers look for a small home to tear down and
   re-build. If you do decide to renovate or rebuild, practice due diligence
   regarding restrictive building codes.
4. How do you plan to
   entertain? This can make a difference in the size of home and the amenities
   you choose. Since lake homes tend to draw guests easily, it’s another important
   factor to consider.
5. What else do you need
   to bring your lake home and your lifestyle together? Perhaps you want to get
   away from it all. Perhaps you have a business or you enjoy some aspects of city
   living, like airport access, business climate, high quality health care, or
   restaurants and entertainment. Be as realistic as you can about your
   preferences.

When you’re looking for luxury lake homes, for many people the dream is to find the best of both worlds: city living and a relaxing lakefront lifestyle too. And that combination is uniquely possible with certain Grand Rapids lakefront homes. I currently have listed a modern take on an English Manor home, on Reeds Lake near Grand Rapids. The original owners spared no detail in this beautiful gem, from the cutting edge kitchen to the plush theater room. Whether you’re relocating, looking for an amazing lakefront home near a major city, or thinking about retiring to the lake, call me at 616-485-0952.