Buying a Lake Home in Lake Country, WI: What You Need to Know

With beautiful lakes, charming communities and convenient access to Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin’s Lake Country is a desirable place to call home. From boating and fishing to swimming, paddling and evenings spent along the shoreline, owning a lake home offers a lifestyle that is difficult to replicate.

8 Things to Consider When Buying a Lake Home in Lake Country

Buying a lake home, however, is different from purchasing a typical residential property. You aren’t just choosing a house. You’re choosing a lake, shoreline, community and lifestyle. The characteristics of the property and the lake itself can have a significant impact on how much you enjoy your home and its future resale potential.

Before buying a lake home in Lake Country, here are some important factors to consider.

1. Start With How You Want to Use the Lake

Before deciding which home you want, think about what you want from lake living. Do you envision spending summer weekends boating and waterskiing? Are fishing and kayaking more your speed? Do you want a place where your kids or grandchildren can swim from shore? Or are you primarily looking for beautiful views and a quiet waterfront setting?

Different lakes offer different experiences. Consider factors such as:

• Lake size and depth

• Boating and speed restrictions

• Fishing opportunities

• Swimming conditions

• Water clarity

• Public access

• Overall lake activity

Also consider whether the property will be your primary residence, vacation home or future retirement home. How you plan to use the property can help determine which lake, home and lot are the best fit.

2. Understand What Kind of Lake Access You're Buying

Not every home marketed near a lake comes with the same access to the water.

A property may offer direct lake frontage, deeded lake access, shared or association access, or simply convenient access to a public boat launch or beach.

If lake access is important to you, don't make assumptions based on the listing description. Determine exactly what comes with the property and what rights transfer with the sale.

For shared or association access, find out how the waterfront is used, whether there are restrictions and whether a pier or boat slip is included or available. For direct waterfront property, understand exactly where the property boundaries and frontage are located.

3. Evaluate the Lot, Shoreline and Water

It's easy to walk into a beautifully updated lake home and immediately fall in love. But some of the most important characteristics of a lake property are outside the house.

Take time to evaluate:

• Amount of lake frontage

• Slope from the home to the water

• Shoreline condition

• Water depth near shore

• Lake bottom and swimming conditions

• Sunset or sunrise views

• Sun exposure

• Privacy

• Outdoor living space

• Pier and boat lift options

  
  

Think about how you'll actually use the property. A steep lot may provide incredible elevated views but require numerous stairs to reach the water. A level lot may provide easier lake access but offer a very different view and setting.

Consider your long term plans as well. If you're hoping this will eventually become your retirement home, for example, navigating a steep slope or dozens of stairs to reach the water may become more important over time.

When possible, experience the property from the shoreline and water rather than evaluating it exclusively from inside the house or through listing photos. Consider the view looking back toward the home, neighboring properties, boat traffic and how you'll actually use the waterfront. The house can often be remodeled. The location, lake and shoreline cannot.

4. Research Lake, Shoreline and Property Restrictions

If you have plans for the property, investigate what is actually permitted before you buy. Waterfront properties may be subject to local zoning requirements, county regulations, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requirements and, in some cases, lake or homeowners association rules.

Depending on the property and proposed project, restrictions may affect shoreline modifications, vegetation removal, piers, boat lifts, additions, accessory structures and other improvements.

This becomes especially important if you're buying a property because you envision making significant changes. Don't assume you'll be able to expand the home, alter the shoreline or make other improvements simply because there appears to be room.

5. Look Closely at Wells, Septic Systems and Other Utilities

Depending on the location, a Lake Country property may have municipal water and sewer or rely on a private well and septic system. If the home has a private well or septic system, understand the condition, age and maintenance requirements of those systems and complete the appropriate inspections or testing as part of the buying process.

6. Understand the Full Cost of Lake Home Ownership

The purchase price isn't the only financial consideration when buying a lake home.

Depending on the property, additional expenses could include:

• Pier and boat lift installation, removal and storage

• Shoreline maintenance

• Well and septic maintenance

• Lake or homeowners association fees

• Landscaping and property maintenance

• Boat and recreational equipment storage

• Insurance

• Seasonal maintenance or winterization

Ask questions about what's included with the property as well. Piers, boat lifts, furnishings and other lake related items may or may not be included in the real estate transaction.

7. Consider the Property in Every Season

A beautiful July afternoon provides a great opportunity to experience a lake home, but Wisconsin lake living isn't limited to summer. If you plan to live there year round, consider winter access, snow removal, heating and how the property functions during colder months. For a second home, consider what happens when you're away, including winterization, property checks and storage for the pier, lift, boat and outdoor furniture.

8. Think About Resale Before You Buy

Even if you plan to own your lake home for many years, it's worth considering how other buyers may view the property someday. Lake, frontage, shoreline, views, water quality, slope, privacy and accessibility can all influence the desirability and value of a lake home.

A beautifully remodeled house can't change a lake that doesn't suit your recreational interests, a steep walk to the shoreline or a view you don't enjoy. Considering these characteristics before you buy can help you choose a property you'll enjoy today while keeping its future marketability in mind.

The Lakes of Lake Country

One of the advantages of buying a lake home in Wisconsin's Lake Country is the variety of lakes to choose from. From smaller lakes with a quieter setting to larger lakes offering plenty of room for boating and recreation, each has its own characteristics. Before beginning your lake home search, consider the size of the lake, amount of shoreline, water depth, recreational opportunities, public access and surrounding community to determine which setting best fits the way you want to enjoy lake living.

Beaver Lake

~313 acres | Max depth of ~46 feet

Located near Chenequa, Beaver Lake is a smaller lake that offers a more intimate setting than many of the area's larger recreational lakes. With a largely residential setting and limited public access, Beaver Lake may appeal to buyers looking for a quieter Lake Country experience.

Lac La Belle

~1,154 acres | Max depth of ~45 feet | ~ 9.5 miles of shoreline

Located along Oconomowoc and the Village of Lac La Belle, Lac La Belle features a largely residential shoreline along the Oconomowoc River system with convenient access to downtown Oconomowoc.

Middle & Lower Genesee Lakes

Middle Genesee: ~98 acres | ~Max depth of 40 feet

Lower Genesee: ~63 acres | ~Max depth of 45 feet

Located in Summit, WI, Middle and Lower Genesee Lakes offer a smaller lake setting southwest of the heart of Lake Country. Middle Genesee has a public boat landing and both lakes offer a different experience than the area's larger and busier recreational lakes, making them worth considering for buyers who prefer a smaller body of water.

Upper & Lower Nemahbin Lakes

Upper Nemahbin: ~283 acres | ~Max depth of 60 feet | ~ 2.9 miles of shoreline

Lower Nemahbin: ~239 acres | ~Max depth of 36 feet

Located near Delafield and Summit, Upper and Lower Nemahbin Lakes are part of a connected system of waterways. Upper Nemahbin connects with Lower Nashotah and Lower Nemahbin Lake, while the Bark River flows through the lake system. The connected waterways provide opportunities for boating, fishing and paddling while offering a smaller lake setting than nearby Nagawicka or Pewaukee Lake.

Nagawicka Lake

~981 acres | ~Max depth of 90 feet

Located in Delafield and Nashotah, Nagawicka Lake is one of Lake Country's deeper lakes. The Bark River flows through the lake, and public access includes two boat landings. Its location combines boating, fishing and water recreation with convenient access to downtown Delafield and the surrounding Lake Country communities.

Oconomowoc Lake

~818 acres | ~Max depth of 60 feet

Oconomowoc Lake features a primarily residential setting between Oconomowoc and Okauchee. The Oconomowoc River flows into and out of the lake, connecting it to the surrounding watershed. Its location and established lakefront properties make it a distinctive residential lake within Lake Country.

Okauchee Lake

~ 1,190 acres | ~ Max depth of 94 feet | ~18.5 miles of shoreline

Okauchee Lake stands out for its irregular shoreline, numerous bays and five islands. Its extensive shoreline creates a variety of lakefront settings, while its size and depth provide plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing and other water recreation. Buyers can find everything from more protected bays to properties along larger stretches of open water.

Pewaukee Lake

~2,437 acres | ~Max depth of 45 feet | ~ 12.8 miles of shoreline

Pewaukee Lake is one of Lake Country's largest recreational lakes, offering plenty of room for boating, fishing and other water activities. Its eastern end provides convenient access to downtown Pewaukee, the public beach, restaurants and other amenities.

Pine Lake

~711 acres | ~Max depth of 85 feet

Located primarily within Chenequa, Pine Lake is one of Lake Country's deeper lakes. It is a spring-fed lake surrounded largely by residential properties and is part of a system of lakes and waterways that eventually connects with North Lake and the Oconomowoc River. Its depth, setting and established lakefront homes distinguish it from many of the area's larger recreational lakes.

North Lake

~440 acres | ~Max depth of 78 feet

Located near Hartland and Chenequa, North Lake combines a smaller surface area with relatively deep water. The lake is part of the interconnected water system that includes Beaver, Pine and Cornell Lakes before ultimately reaching the Oconomowoc River. Its primarily residential setting provides another option for buyers interested in northern Lake Country.

Work With a Real Estate Agent Who Knows Lake Country

Buying a lake home involves evaluating much more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. A local real estate agent can help you compare properties, lakes and communities while considering frontage, shoreline, recreational opportunities and other factors unique to lakefront real estate.

Team Smith Wisconsin's REALTORS® live in Lake Country and understand the local real estate market. Whether you're searching for a year-round residence, luxury lake home or weekend retreat, we're here to help.

Ready to start your Lake Country lake home search? Contact Team Smith Wisconsin today.