Buyers - Orlando and Clermont Real Estate

Lakefront Home, Boat and Dock Care

Lakefront Home Boat and Dock Care for your Clermont or Lakefront home

Much like your car, your boat needs routine maintenance as well. However, when caring for your boat on your lake front property in Orlando, you must take special care as any basic task like polishing, cleaning or changing the fluids can cause water quality problems if the products used are not handled as they should be. When caring for your boat, be sure to follow these tips:

Stay away from the lake, its tributaries and storm drains when maintaining your boat.
Use non-toxic products
Be sure you contain any excess waste products that result from your work.
Rinse boats more often with plain water so you don’t always need soaps and cleaners.
Avoid the need for washing with soap all the time by keeping the boat waxed and rinsed after every time you use it.
Choose non-toxic, phosphate-free, chlorine-free, biodegradable products.
Take your boat to a commercial car wash where the dirty water goes to the wastewater system.
Follow the instructions on the label. Twice as much cleaner does not work twice as well.
Buy only what is needed for a project. Give the leftovers to another boater.
If you must work near the water, use tarps and work on a small area.
Pressure washing near the lake is never a good idea as it is difficult to manage the wastewater.
Dispose of leftover household toxics properly.

It is also important to care for your dock that gives you access to fun on the lake. Depending on the design and construction materials, docks and floats can make for added problems for wildlife and water quality. For maintenance of docks and floats on your property, here are some things to know:

New Docks

While docks and floats don’t generally provide good habitat for fish and wildlife, they can act as barriers necessitating that waterfowl, beavers, and otters find refuge further out into the lake.

Larger docks can inhibit the growth of beneficial aquatic plants, by shading the littoral zone. If pilings are not spaced far enough apart, a dock can change the movement of water along the shoreline, causing erosion and deposition. This affects the growth of water plants.

If you are thinking about constructing a dock or float, or making major repairs to the one you already have, you need to obtain the necessary environmental review and permits for your area.

You may think that this seems a bit silly just to build a dock, but any work performed below the ordinary high water mark on the lakeshore has opportunity to cause water quality problems.

If constructed in conjunction with a naturally vegetated shoreline, a dock can provide boat moorage, allow access to the water and reduce human impacts to the environment of the shoreline. Moving heavy use elsewhere and away from the fragile shoreline to a dock can reduce negative influences and even damage to the riparian area. For simple boat moorage, a buoy is the preferred alternative as it causes the least long-term impact to the lake environment.

The materials used in the construction of docks can introduce a variety of contaminants into the lake so be sure you know what you’re building with and how it can affect the water.

Dock Maintenance

Paints, wood preservatives or other chemicals may end up in the lake during routine maintenance, so their use is not permitted over or near surface water. A dock with a natural, unfinished surface is the best option. If your dock or boathouse is already painted, you need to be very careful when maintaining it. It is your job to insure that tarps are used and that the paint scrapings, paint, or other prep materials do not fall into the lake.

Pressure washers are sometimes used for cleaning and prep work but this is not a good idea around lakes. The force of the water from a pressure washer makes it hard to control the amount of material being washed into the lake. A better idea is to scrub or wire brush the surface with tarps around and underneath the work area to contain the scrapings. Bleach, herbicides or pesticides should not be used over the water to control the unwanted living things that take up residence on or around your dock.

Alternatives to Toxic Cleaners

Soap: choose phosphate free and non-toxic soap but use very little
Scouring Powders: baking soda
Fiberglass: baking soda paste
Decks and Floors: one cup white vinegar in two gallons water
Windows: one cup vinegar in one cup warm water, rinse and squeegee
Aluminum: two tablespoons cream of tartar in one quart hot water
Copper: lemon juice and salt
Brass: Worcestershire sauce or paste made of equal parts salt, vinegar, and water; rinse
Chrome: apple cider vinegar to clean; baby oil to polish
Drain Opener: pour vinegar and baking soda in drain and follow with boiling water
Mildew: paste of equal parts of either lemon juice and salt or vinegar and salt
Wood: three parts olive oil and one part white vinegar
For Your Hands: baby oil or margarine

Homes on Crescent Lake, Clermont Florida

Homes and Real Estate on Crescent Lake, Clermont Florida

I love talking about lakefront homes because that’s what I specialize in throughout Minneola, Clermont and Winter Garden. Today I want to talk about homes on Crescent Lake. This lake sits it just south of Lake Minnehaha and is literally about 1/16 the size of Lake Louisa, Lake Mineola and Lake Minnehaha but it has a high concentration of homes right on the lake with the docks, boardwalks and waterfront properties.

There are several ways to get to the homes along Crescent Lake; you can access it by Lakeshore Drive which runs north and south from downtown Clermont, or from the Westside along Highway 561 to a variety of inlets into residential neighborhoods. Log House Road connects the two at the south end of the lake but the only connection at the north end of the lake is along Bronson Road and Harder Road, which border Lake Louisa on the south end since many of these lakes are actually connected by tributaries.

One of the best things about Crescent Lake is that there are still lots available for custom building. Lots range in price from about $100,000-$250,000 depending on the size and the amenities or utilities attached with the property. Most of the single-family homes were built from the 1970s up until today and range from about $255,000-$580,000 currently. Many of the lots are at least 1/3 to 3/4 acre. These homes are designed to increase at about 3 to 4% each year but there are only about 5 to 10 properties around the entire lake for sale at any one time, so they do go quickly because this is a very desirable location. Some homes feature lots that do stretch out into the lake with either a boathouse or a small dock, while others only encompass a small section not including the lake even though there are not other improvements from the house to the lake.

If you’re interested in learning more about Crescent Lake or residential homes on similar lakes, please contact me anytime. This is what I love and buying a lakefront home is slightly different so let me help you navigate the purchase and find exactly what your looking for.

Image by Google Maps

New Park in Clermont Florida

New Park in Clermont, Fl – Lake Hiawatha Park

As spring approaches, make sure you take advantage of Clermont’s new park! You will find the new park at Lake Hiawatha! Previously blanketed with citrus groves and shade trees, Lake Hiawatha Park now boasts two dog parks, a playground and a covered pavilion!

Lake Hiawatha Park just recently opened to the public on November 15th, 2014. It is a 220 acre preserve with two dog parks, a playground with a working old-fashioned water tower, hiking and biking trails, and a pavilion for picnics.

The first phase of this fabulous park located at 450 N. 12th St is home to the city’s FIRST dog parks, a playground of natural wood, a tree stump obstacle course, hiking trails and picnic pavilion. It’s the perfect place to bring your babies and fur babies alike!

Certainly, the attention grabber of the park is the child sized, working, water tank on the playground. It was designed to be reminiscent of Old Florida so that it would fit in with the history of the property. Also, on the playground, you’ll see a maze made from a cattle chute that was part of the property.

Of the two dog parks, one is meant for dogs 25 pounds or larger and the other for smaller doggies. In each park, you’ll find water fountains for both dogs and people.

Currently, the second phase of Lake Hiawatha Park is under way on the other side of 12th St. This phase is predicted to include a fishing pier and a floating dock. That’s right…this park will be accessible to those arriving by foot, bike, car and even boat!

It’s definitely a park the community of Clermont can be most proud of! So, as you’re looking for a place to play or relax the day away, come out and give Lake Hiawatha Park a try!

Homes on Lake Louisa

Lake Louisa that is the largest in a chain of 13 lakes around the Clermont Florida area. About half of the lake is surrounded by the Lake Louisa State Park and the north end of the lake is full of residential neighborhoods and waterfront homes.

The Lake Louisa state park is over 4500 acres of rolling hills and scenic landscapes as well as numerous lakes and of course Lake Louisa itself. There are numerous natural preserves, wildlife, parks and pathways throughout the park as well as camping, canoeing and kayaking, hiking trails, fishing, horse trails, picnic facilities, playground and swimming facilities.

Homes along the northeastern part of the lake are accessible along Lake Louisa Road from Highway 27. These homes featured docs, boat accessibility, wooded lots and larger layouts. Many of these homes are built in the 1960s and 1970s although you may find many renovations and remodeled homes up to today’s standards. These homes range from about $500,000 to over $1 million depending on the size, condition and lot size.

On the west side of the lake are several lots along Oswalt Road, many of which come out into a peninsula and feature waterfront access on two or three sides of the lot. These homes range anywhere from $200,000 to over $800,000, also depending on size, lot and condition. There are also many lots currently for sale that are vacant and ready for building. These lots range from about $75,000-$200,000. If you’re looking to build your dream home on the lake, this would make it excellent option. Residents are about 15 minutes to downtown Clermont yet miles away from the ordinary text into the back side of the lake. These homes are along many other lakes such as Lake Glona, Lake Nellie and Saw Mill Lake. Many of the homes on the west side of Lake owned property out into the lake itself so a dock or boating access is highly feasible. Many of these lots on the website also are between 1 to 3 acres and most of the homes currently were built after the 1960s.

The homes around Lake Louisa are part of the Lake County Public school District and utilize the Southlake high school, the Pine Ridge elementary school, and the Gray middle school, all of these schools receive a seven or eight score from great schools.org.

For more information on the homes and real estate around Lake Louisa in Clermont Florida please fill free to browse my website or contact me for more information and a personalized list of all the homes that match the property you are looking for.

SEARCH ALL LAKEFRONT HOMES IN CLERMONT

Images by Katy Warner Flickr

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