Buying Lake Front Property

Options for buying property and building homes within the Smith Mountain Lake region are in quite an abundance these days. With all of the current and established communities thriving and all the potential communities being blueprinted to eventually come into fruition, it's clear that a prospective Smith Mountain Lake resident can find a variety of available and soon-to-be-available housing opportunities, both directly on and around the lake. But, with variety in terms of land buying, especially involving waterfront or lake front selections, there is a weighted degree of important decision making to be considered and well-implemented.

That Perfect Home You've Always Wanted, Lakeside

What any hopeful and prospective home buyer wants is that perfect, dream-worthy home. But, usually, planning and/or finding that perfect home with waterfront aspirations can come attached with a twisted and rather difficult turn of events - that is, unless of course, you have some prior knowledge beforehand. "What knowledge," you ask? This knowledge you should have before conducting any sort of waterfront property scouting, so to speak, should include knowing just what to look for, what to expect and, most importantly, what will work for you and your waterfront property desires.

Survey Terrains of Interest and Know Their Histories

Clearly, you need to first survey the land by actually planting your feet on the soil you're interested in buying and developing on. Closely look at the terrain and surrounding area inspecting characteristics such as available size in acreage, slope differentials in relation to water levels, property line placements and so on. Watch for these characteristics to see if the site you're currently inspecting is in fact workable and sustainable for lakefront housing development. Also, take a glance into the history - particularly the developmental and land history - of the region noting what was once there before, what plans were and are and if any disputes took place.

In terms of development history, it would be wise to check with surrounding neighbors and residents within close vicinity to your desired plot of land - see what their outlook and stance is in terms of the completed developing and active developers there. Are they satisfied, more than satisfied or left wanting much more once their home was built?

Taking Lakefront Property Aspects Into Consideration

You must also and obviously take into account the water situation when researching lakefront property options. What you need to determine is knowledge and data revealing to how the lake is and acts, how it's levels are annually and/or seasonally. Doing this will tell you what to plan for in terms of where building at certain land-level heights need to occur. Also, and especially if lake levels are not constant, make sure that you build in a non-flood zone as to bypass any flood plain restrictions and the hassle of getting flood insurance in a flood zone.