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4 Steps to Take Before Buying Lakefront Property

Ready to buy lakefront in Clermont, Winter Garden or Minneola? Better understand these basic steps before jumping in.

There are so many leaks around the Orlando area the buying lakefront property is not unusual or uncommon. However, there are different aspects to buying a lakefront home than there are two typical residential property. I want my homebuyers to really understand everything there is to know about buying lakefront property and to take the proper steps for jumping in with both feet.

#1. Educate yourself.4 Steps to Take Before Buying Lakefront Property

Before you start looking at any lakefront homes throughout the Clermont area including Winter Garden, Mineola and the surrounding suburbs of Orlando, understand the current market trends, micromarkets and individual neighborhoods. Your real estate agent will help you determine if a home is overpriced for a particular neighborhood. This is why going with a local agent is so crucial and even more so, choosing an agent that is very familiar with buying lakefront property can help you ask the right questions and understand the purchase.

Related Post: Should you wait to buy a home? Maybe not!

#2. List the reasons you really want a lakefront home.

This might sound like a simple idea but why are you buying lakefront property? Do you want to view? Do you want to fish? Are you using it for boating and recreation? Do you simply want to for the resell value? All of these items can help you make a more informed decision on where to buy. Some of the lakes and small reservoirs around the Orlando area are perfect for different uses in finding the best area and the neighborhood for your needs can narrow the search down to help you find the right home.

#3. Understanding your budget.

Understanding your budget ahead of time and where you are financially can help you make an informed decision and a tactical negotiating strategy when it comes time to place an offer. If you understand the market by educating yourself first and you know your own finances, you can present an offer that is solid, tight, competitive and if you need to counter offer or negotiate, you know where your finances said and how much room you have to move.

#4. Stay unemotional.

In buying a home it can get very emotional and especially if you find a home that you feel you love only to discover that the seller is unreasonable, maybe the home inspection comes back riddled with problems or you simply can’t afford the home. By trying to stay unemotional it will detach you from the home itself making the purchase much more logical, sensible and reasonable when it’s all said and done. I understand how difficult this certainly can be. When you find a home you love it can be very hard to detach yourself emotionally but lean on the knowledge and expertise of your lakefront real estate agent to ask the important question so that you’re not sitting in your home in six months regretting your decision.

If you’re ready to get started looking at lakefront homes throughout Minneola, Winter Garden, Clermont and surrounding communities give me a call today for a customized list of homes that meet your search criteria and price. Need to get started with financing? I have some excellent resources to get the ball rolling on your next lakefront purchase.

Posted in: Lakefront Properties Tagged: lakefront, lakefront properties

What Inspectors Look For on Lakefront Homes

Home inspections are something all buyers should invest in when purchasing a home. This is one of the largest investments you’re likely to make and not understanding all there is to it is like putting $400K on a stock you know nothing about… something you probably wouldn’t do. Home inspections are similar. It’s wise to pay the $300 – $800 fee for a professional and qualified home inspector to thoroughly go over the property and make note of any major issues.

Here are some items to be particularly concerned about when inspecting a waterfront or lakefront home.What Inspectors Look For on Lakefront Homes

Moisture is obviously the biggest.

Moisture, rot, mildew, mold and structural damage can all occur on a home and more likely on a home close to the water. It depends on how close and if that water ever breaches the home. An oceanfront home may have to deal with tides and harsh weather but a lakefront home won’t have the salty sea elemental damage. However, lakefront homes can have water damage to the basement or crawl space that will need to be addressed.

Pest Damage

Termites or other wood eating organisms can wreak havoc on a home so you’ll want to make sure your inspector can also handle a pest inspection and offer tips and options to handle the situation. Many home may have damage in the past but it may not be an issue now. Your inspector will be able to tell if it’s a past issue or current one and the level of concern. Bees can also get in attics so make sure holes are filled and nests are taken care of before you move in.

More: Reasons Waterfront homes hold their value

Foundation Damage

Inspectors will also check for holes or damage around the foundation or masonry blocks. If there are holes big enough for moles, spiders, snakes, rats or other animals to get in, you may have to deal with nests in crawl spaces or attics. These are not something you want in your home once you move in, so it’s best to take care of these issues before you move in.

Electrical

Any electrical issues can be of great concern, especially when dealing with a waterfront home. Make sure all wires are up to code, all panels are secure and that there are no loose wires hanging for anyone to get electrocuted.

Stability

Joists, hurricane straps and joist hangers all help to secure decks, porches and landings on a home. The structural integrity of the property should be properly maintained and secured. Your inspector will check all of these under decks and porches, in the crawlspace and attic. If there is anything not up to code, you’ll need to address this with the seller.

Local Codes

Everything might seem OK but if the house is not up to local codes and zoning, you will be in a world of hurt if you every have to resell it. Local codes are huge when it comes to properly maintained and built structures. Check with the local city and county for any permits required for additions or remodels. Your building inspector should also know what is adequate and legal for your area.

Erosion

Erosion is not as big of an issue with lakefront but nevertheless, still may be a concern over time. Make sure the home has the right set-backs and won’t erode in a storm that might increase the water in the lake.

Bottom line – make sure you use a qualified and professional lakefront or waterfront home inspector that knows the area and any concerns on a waterfront home.  Contact your lakefront property specialist Beth Atalay for referrals on home inspections in the Clermont area.

Thank you to our associate at HawaiiRealtyPro for their post on lakefront inspections. For more information on waterfront homes visit the website. For information on homes in Clermont Florida and surrounding areas, contact Beth today!

 

Posted in: Lakefront Properties Tagged: lakefront, lakefront inspections, lakefront properties

Clermont Waterfront Properties: Lakes vs. Rivers

Waterfront Properties: Lakes vs. Rivers

Living on the lake or a river in Orlando both come with many advantages. Natural bodies of water of all types are serene and invoke dreams of adventure amidst times of calm refreshing. However, when you’re talking about a permanent residence, which body of water would be the ideal choice for putting down roots? Read ahead and decide for yourself!Clermont Waterfront Properties: Lakes vs. Rivers

Lakes offer privacy and atmosphere. Living on a lake, you can enjoy a sense of seclusion not found in just any neighborhood. It gives a sense of privacy compared with a community where you have neighbors right on top of you.

Living on the lake comes with other perks as well. Being surrounded by water makes sweltering summers seem a bit cooler, and lake activities like paddleboating allow families to bond with their neighbors. Lake front homes often come with dock access to enjoy many fun activities on the lake.

Rivers are peaceful and inspiring. Living on the river can be like constantly being on vacation. What you would spend money on to go away someplace and enjoy, you can walk out the door and down to the beach and be there in an instant.

Rivers may not have as many people as a lake on a hot summer day. The water’s constantly moving, so even if someone passes by your way, they’re quickly passing by.

The sound of the river is relaxing and comes with the potential to drown out noisy neighbors or children which is a nice advantage.

For artists, musicians or authors, living on the river provides a source of inspiration for pieces dealing with nature. On any given morning one may see a blue heron flying by, deer grazing in the field nearby, or a few mallard ducks paddling around on the river.

Images by  Cliff Flickr

Posted in: Lakefront Properties Tagged: clermont homes, clermont real estate, lakefront properties, waterfront properties

Lakefront Home, Boat and Dock Care

Lakefront Home Boat and Dock Care for your Clermont or Lakefront homeLakefront Home, Boat and Dock Care

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

Posted in: Buyers, Lakefront Properties Tagged: clermont florida, lakefront, lakefront properties, orlando

Overlook at Lake Louisa

Overlook at Lake Louisa

The Overlook at Lake Louisa in Clermont Florida is located off of Lake Louisa Road just southwest of the Legends Golf & Country Club. This is a non-gated yet exclusive community of about 130 homes in a closed circuit neighborhood. These homes range in size from $250,000 to about $400,000 on lots between 8500 ft.² and 10,000 ft.². Most of the homes are between 1900 and 3000 ft.² with three, four, and five bedroom layouts with 2 to 4 bathrooms. Homeowners dues are roughly $30-$35 per month or roughly $375 paid annually, which covers common area maintenance, property management, landscaping and road maintenance. But be sure to check with current listings on exact prices and specifics.

The majority of homes in Overlook were built around the mid to thousands and range about $85 per square foot. Properties are for sale by owner, short sales or even bank owned homes, perfect for catching up a great deal or an investment property. Due to the age of the homes, most have granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and open floor plans. Many master suites features separate sitting/office areas with walk-in shower, walk-in closets, garden tub, separate vanities and wet bar. All homes feature a two or three car garage depending on the size of the home itself.

Overlook on Lake Louisa

Shops, restaurants, modern convenience and markets by less than 5 to 10 minutes from your front door and Lake Louisa water sports are less than 2 to 3 minutes. There is no lake access from these homes as the complex is on the opposite side of Lake Louisa Road.

For more information about homes and real estate please browse my website or click here for specifics on Overlook and the homes for sale therein.

Posted in: Communities, Lakefront Properties Tagged: clermont lakefront, homes on the lake, lake louisa, lakefront properties

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Contact Me

Beth Atalay, Broker/Owner
CAM Realty & Property Management
407-929-1852
Your Orlando Agent

Orlando Realtor - Beth Atalay

Beth Atalay

Broker/Owner CAM Realty & Property Management

1230 Oakley Seaver Dr.
Suite 101
Clermont, FL. 34711

407-929-1852
Your Orlando Agent

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