Nothing beats the serenity and beauty of a lakefront home. The views are out of this world, and there’s something peaceful about the sound and sight of the water. If you plan on building a lake home from the ground up, you should know that you have a challenging road ahead of you. There are many things that could and may go wrong when building near water, and you will need to take extra precautions when planning your build.
Here are things you need to know about building a lakefront home:
Make Sure the Property is Suitable for Building
When searching for land to build your lake home, it is important to make sure that the property is suitable for building. Even if the description says it’s a buildable lot, you want to do your due diligence and research the property first.
Some wetlands are protected, which means you won’t be able to build in certain areas; or not at all, depending on the size and location of the property. Topography is another concern that may keep you from building where you want and many other obstacles you may face during the planning/building phase.
Also, consider where the septic tank will be installed: most lake homes have septics, not city sewer; and whether you’ll be connecting to city water.
Understand Local Laws
If local authorities govern and/or own the lake, such as Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) or Army Corp of Engineers you’ll want to check your local laws before building. In some areas, the local government may control all the land within several feet of the lake. This means that you must get permission to build anything “Permanent” in that area if allowed at all.
The last thing you want is to build a gorgeous unpermitted Gazebo or dock on that area only to have to remove it in the future. Learn more about the local laws and any potential legal complications before you begin any project.
Views are Key
Most people build lake homes with the dream of being able to enjoy great views from most of the rooms. Ideally, you want to place the master bedroom, kitchen, dining area and family rooms in locations that take advantage of the waterfront views.
In order to do this, you need the right property, and you need to make sure that you can build in the desired location on the property to leverage those views. Your property may be lakefront, but if the only location suitable for building is set back too far or atop a hill, you may not get those gorgeous views you want.
An Experienced Builder is Essential
Building a lake home presents its own set of challenges, so you will need to find an experienced home builder that knows what to expect and how to handle any issues that may arise. Ideally, you want to work with a builder that has built several lake homes, and has a portfolio of these properties that they can show you.
If you have friends or family with custom-built lake homes, they may be able to offer recommendations on reliable, professional and experienced builders.
Make Sure the Lake Suits Your Needs
Consider what you’ll be using the lake home for. Do you enjoy fishing? Maybe you prefer kayaking or want a lake that allows for waterskiing. Whatever your favorite activities are, make sure the lake can accommodate them. Some lakes restrict water skiing or wake boarding/surfing. Not all lakes are good for fishing, and some have restrictions on motor sizes. Keep these things in mind as you browse for properties.
Secure Financing Early
Building a home is complicated enough, but financing the build is even more complicated. If you need to finance both the land and the build, you’ll want to seek approval (or pre-approval) as early on as possible. In fact, this should be one of your first steps before you even start looking at properties.
When you have your finances in order, it makes the rest of the build less stressful. The last thing you want is to scramble to secure a loan after you’ve found the perfect property. You may not get approved in time to snatch up the land before someone else does.
Expect the Unexpected
You’ve found an excellent builder, and you’ve received an estimate for your home. That estimate will be somewhat near what you’ll actually spend. The old saying “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong” comes to mind here. Things will come up along the way, especially with a waterfront property. Plan to spend more, and go as far as including unexpected extras into your budget.
Assume Nothing and Communicate Everything
Mistakes can and do happen when building a home; there is no way around that. But you can minimize these mishaps by making your expectations crystal clear. Be as specific as possible when communicating your ideas and desires. Go as far as drawing a picture or showing a similar design if necessary. The more you help your builder, the easier his job will be and the quicker the project will move.
Do not assume the contractors will know what you want! Explain everything in as much detail as possible, but also listen to his ideas and suggestions. Remember, He has done this dozens and dozens of times before. You can avoid costly mistakes in the long run; mistakes that might drag the building process out even longer.
Kindness Goes a Long Way
There is a lot of work involved when building a home, and you will be dealing with a number of sub-contractors along the way. Whether it’s the masonry crew, the framers, the electricians or the painters, be kind to anyone who is putting their time and energy into building your home. Plus they may be your future neighbors!
Kindness and respect for the crew working on your home, will make them far more likely to do a great job and put their best foot forward.
Building a lake home is exciting, but it’s important to take the right steps to ensure your build goes as smoothly as possible. From making sure you find the right piece of buildable land to checking local laws and finding an experienced builder, planning will go a long way in saving you time and money when building your new home.
Reposted by Hayden Fry, Lakefront Living Realty, TN