Have you heard of Lake Anna? If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, you may or may not have heard of this beautiful area, located in central Virginia. I recently enjoyed visiting Lake Anna State Park as a competitor in the Acorn Olympic Triathlon. Swimming, running, and biking around the Lake got me thinking about owning lakefront property.

Lakes have been increasingly popular in real estate developments. Manmade lakes in particular are appealing to buyers who want a “getaway feel” whether for their primary residence or their vacation home. Of course, natural lakes (like Lake Anna) also appeal to those who like the outdoors.

Below are my Real Estate tips for those considering owning a lakefront property:

1. Time visited. Will this be your primary residence? If not, I recommend considering how frequent you will visit your potential investment. Lakefront properties (like shore properties) require regular maintenance. If you can reasonably see yourself making the trek to the lake (in the case of Lake Anna, it is 1.5 hours from Northern Virginia, without traffic), then you will arguably get “more for your money” than if you can’t make the trip.
2. Access fees. For many, part of the draw for owning lakefront property is the ability to store or dock a boat. Before you move forward with purchasing, make sure that you are clear on any fees surrounding access, homeowners’ association, and other fees that might apply to your investment. These should be factored in as you consider the price of your investment.
3. Flooding. Water can mean flooding – but not always. I recommend fully exploring (via inspection and a detailed conversation with your broker) whether your potential investment is prone to flooding. Having the appropriate insurance is also important to help protect against the unexpected as much as possible.

Feel free to reach out to me to discuss your potential Real Estate investment from a legal perspective at tstringham@offitkurman.com or 703-745-1849