lakefront homes - Orlando and Clermont Real Estate

The Coveted Lakefront Living in Florida

I would like to think there are two different types of people; the first, those who live a luxurious life on the lake, and the second, those who dream of doing so.

There are many obvious reasons why lakefront living seems like a perfect lifestyle, but just in case you need some of these reasons outlined, we will be highlighting a few of them for you.

The first seems like an obvious reason and is simply the thought of the relaxing nights spent sipping a glass of your favorite wine and looking out over the still glass like lake waters. Even if you’ve had a stressful and exhausting day at the office, coming home to the peaceful views over the water is sure to help you calm down and release and alleviate some of the stress the workday caused.

Who doesn’t love playing at the lake? If lake living weren’t such a fun experience, there wouldn’t be public parks on the lake for people to enjoy. By owning a home lakeside, you don’t have to fight for the perfect spot at the park or line your towels on the beach in hopes your spot will be saved because the park will be your back yard.

To add to the fun, you will have unlimited access to all of the fun sports and events the lake has to offer including but not limited to:

swimming,
sailing,
fishing,
kayaking,
paddle boarding,
boating and much more…

The picturesque views of the lake alone are sure to take your breath away, especially during the sunrise and sunsets, spreading a watercolor of colors across the sky. To add to the beauty of your new lakefront home, imagine all the wildlife that will soon become your neighbors. Birds soaring through the air, occasionally hunting for fish and entrancing you with their dives to the water below, the views of the different animals will be enough to keep your attention for years to come.

While the privacy of a lakefront home is one of the key features, there is also a huge opportunity for entertaining. Summer parties, cookouts, birthday’s and more, your home will be the perfect location for it all. Share your home with friends and family and let everyone get a little taste of lakefront living.

More often than not, the community in lake front homes is nearly unbreakable. Your neighbors must also have a love for the outdoors allowing for an easy conversation starter. Grab a couple of beers and sit out on the dock while chatting about your favorite features of the lake, your homes, your lifestyles and more and before you know it you will have BBQs together, boating excursions and much more.

Take a leap and begin your search for the perfect lakefront property to call home. Soak in everything this laid back lifestyle has to offer with a beautiful home on a picture perfect piece of property. Sip your morning coffee with the sunrise spreading across the lake, and enjoy your dinner on the back deck with nothing but the breeze and lake in view. This lifestyle could be yours, so why wait?

More Great Info on Lakefront Homes:

LANDSCAPING A LAKEFRONT HOME IN FLORIDA

4 STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE BUYING LAKEFRONT PROPERTY

WHAT INSPECTORS LOOK FOR ON LAKEFRONT HOMES

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WHEN BUYING WATERFRONT HOMES

CLERMONT WATERFRONT PROPERTIES: LAKES VS. RIVERS

LAKEFRONT HOME, BOAT AND DOCK CARE

Lakefront Homes Around the Area:

Overlook at Lake Louisa

Crescent Lake Homes

Homes on Lake Louisa

Homes on Lake Minneola

3 Things to Know About Homes with Docks

Three Things to Know About Docks When Buying a Home on a Lake with a Dock

Learn What You can Do Now that You Have a Dock

Find out what you can do with your Orlando lakefront property. If you want to make any changes to your waterfront property, such as adding to your dock or building a seawall, start this process early to ensure that these alterations will be possible. Government agencies can be very strict to deal with, and you don’t want to commit to purchasing a million-dollar home without knowing that you can really do what you want to make it your own. Also find out what kind of activities are allowed on the lake, as some areas have restrictions on jet skis, speedboats and other watercraft.

Winter Care of Your Dock

In winter months, caring for your dock may mean a pipe dock needs to be removed, and a floating dock should either be removed or relocated to a sheltered spot. Lift docks should be winched up so that the legs closest to the shore are at least five feet above the normal summertime water level.

The only dock that remains in its spot is a permanent dock, which, due to its construction, is able to withstand a certain buildup of ice. However, in an area where there may be an extraordinary amount of ice, it might be necessary to install de-icers around the dock legs. These de-icers oscillate the water so that ice doesn’t build up and cause damage.

Dock Safety

Docks can easily break loose and become a hazard if they’re not properly maintained to accommodate stresses created by wind, waves, current, boat wakes and fluctuating lake levels. Furthermore, dock owners are responsible for damage caused by their docks breaking loose, washing away or presenting a hazard to navigation.

You should also know Safety Standards for Residential Docks on Lakes sets out maximum distances docks may be from shores. The standards apply even when lake levels are low. The shoreline is wherever the water meets the land. Boat docks should never be moved so far that they extend into the middle of the river channel or pose a threat to other boaters.

Home Inspection Concerns for Lake Front Homes in Clermont

Buying waterfront property can be complex and you should work with an agent who is familiar with this type of investing. The following are four concerns when it comes to the inspection on a lake front home.

Four Inspection Concerns on Lake Front Homes

1) Have the inspector check the slope and terrain of the property for proper drainage of rain water away from the home. This is even more important when living where the soil is already moist from being near a lake.

If you have a dock, get that inspected too for sagging or any other problems. You might be able to get the seller to finance any repairs or replacements.

2) Purchasing a home with a septic tank? The septic system needs to be inspected to ensure that it’s being properly serviced and that no waste is leaking into the soil or lake. Additionally, once you own the home, make certain to have the tank pumped out every two years to prevent back ups and run offs into the lake.

3) Check for buggy bothers and wood damage. If termite damage is discovered on the inspection, you can have the seller pay for it before the deal goes through. Or you might find wood damage which might be caused by moisture traveling up from the lake to the house through the soil resulting in mold. Mold eats structures and is hazardous to your health as well.

4) Has your house been swimming? An inspector will be able to tell if the house has flooded and if it happens often. Flood waters cause a lot of damage to electrical systems, foundations, wood and can also cause mold. These damages can be quite severe and extremely expensive to fix.

If the home has signs of flooding you should probably just walk away from it. If you’re considering raising the home, and it’s possible and you’re willing to pay the hefty price to do it, talk to surveyors and contractors. Many water front home owners are now raising their homes because they want to remain where they are, but need to prevent future flooding.

Homes on Lake Minneola Clermont Florida

Lake Minneola is located in Lake County Florida covering parts of Minneola and Clermont. Often referred to with it’s sister lake of Minnehaha, located just south of Minneola, this lake offers many lakefront properties, homes and waterfront estates.

What to look for in lakefront property

What do you want out of your lakefront home? – Do you want to swim? Have a boat? Have a view? Make sure you know why you want lakefront and what you want out of the home. You may love the home but hate the land.

Check out loans. – Many lenders may have restrictions on lakefront properties. Make sure your lender knows what you are looking for and get funding accordingly.

Same with insurance. – Make sure your insurance company knows all they need to know about the property. You would hate to not be covered for something because you forgot to mention it.

Check the weather. – Double check on the weather in your area and how the house withstands the rise and fall with rain, storms, etc..

Talk to the neighbors. – You might learn a lot about the area and the property by talking to neighbors, especially if you have never owned a property on a lake before. Ask them what they wish they knew before moving there.

What about utilities? – Check into the utilities before buying. You may have restrictions on septic, sewer, water usage and plumbing. Make sure you understand your property before “diving in”.

Where to Buy along Lake Minneola

There are residential neighborhoods on the west side of the lake near Crystal Cove and all along the north end and part of the northeastern side. Homes along the northwestern banks may also border the Palisades Golf Course, so a golf AND lake view home is completely doable.

South of the lake is Clermont and West Lake but most of these areas are industrial or commercial with the inclusion of the Waterfront Park along Palm Street.

How Much are the Homes Today?

Prices vary greatly for lakefront homes in Clermont mainly due to age, size and condition. Lots are between 1/3 – 1 acre and maybe more on the west side of the lake. These properties range from $225,000 – $500,000.

Homes along the Palisades Golf Course and the water range about $300,000-$800,000 with the average about $700,000.

On the north and northeast side of Lake Minneola there are several parcels of land perfect for building your own lakefront property starting at about $120,000. Homes range from $300,000-$800,000.

(All Prices are current as of the publishing of this post – please check with current listings here for more accurate pricing.)

Ready to get started? Call me today or contact me via the website for a customized list of homes on Lake Minneola that meet your search criteria and price

Images by Jared Flickr