There are many lakes in and around Columbia, South Carolina. Perhaps you spend a lot of your free time on the water or picnicking on the shore with family and friends. Recreation is one thing. Lakeside living is quite another. So, how can tell if buying a house on the lake is right for you?
As with any type of real estate endeavor, there are benefits and downsides to lakeside living. Learning more about these topics, as well as connecting with an experienced realtor in the area can help you determine whether your next home purchase should be on a lake. In the Columbia region, some of the most popular lakes include Lake Columbia, Lake Murray and Coopers Lake. Read on to discover whether your next dream home might be on the shores of one of these beautiful South Carolina waterways.
Benefits of lakeside living
If you’re wondering what’s so great about lakeside living, the following list shows some of the perks of buying a home on a lake:
- If you plan to sell your home in the future, you’ll be glad to know that lakeside property values tend be high.
- Strong sense of community with other lake dwellers.
- Lakeside living typically provides a peaceful environment.
- Nearby waterways are perfect for outdoor recreational activities, including swimming, boating, fishing and more.
If you enjoy the outdoors, lakeside living might be a good choice for you, especially if you like water sports. With all this in mind, however, you’ll also want to consider the possible downfalls of living by a lake before making an offer on a home.
What are the downsides of living near a lake?
There are several issues associated with lakeside living that you might consider downfalls, including:
- Yard maintenance can be challenging, especially if you have grass on a steep slope leading to the water.
- While the overall environment is usually peaceful, certain times of year, like holidays and prime vacation seasons can be quite busy.
- Uninvited guests might wander onto your property from a nearby waterway, perhaps even tie a boat up to your dock.
- It’s not uncommon for water snakes to slither onto lake house properties.
If any of these issues is particularly concerning to you, you might want to conduct further research or speak with a real estate agent to help you decide if you’d like to give lakeside living a try. Weighing the pros and cons is something all buyers should do regarding location, whether buying a house on a lake or in the middle of a downtown area.