It is not a coincidence that Minnesota has been dubbed the Land of 10,000 Lakes. There are stunning lakes dotted all over Minnesota, which means there are also stunning lake properties throughout the state. Everything from rustic cabins to luxurious mansions line the waters’ edges, and lucky for you some of these properties are for sale.
MN lake houses for sale might not be hard to come by, but the decision on which one is right for you can be difficult. Here are a few helpful hints on how to start the search and pin down the right MN lake house for you and your family.
Set your goals before you start the property search
This is a huge mistake that is extremely common when looking for a new home. Many potential MN lake house homeowners don’t think about their goals, priorities, and overall reasons for wanting a lakeside property.
Are you hoping to have a weekend getaway and somewhere to spend the holidays? Will it serve as a rental property and a source of income? Will this be a place of rest and relaxation or adventure and adrenaline rushes? These are all things you need to think about before you start your search. This way your realtor can only show you properties that fall within your expectations.
Not only should you set general expectations but also specific ones. Things like square footage, distance to the water, surrounding scenery, and number of bedrooms are all very important to think about. Once again this will help your realtor with deciding which listings to show you and which ones to ignore.
Work with someone who knows the industry
When you choose an agent to help you with the search find someone with a good reputation and who has knowledge of the industry. He/she should be familiar with the area and lake homes in general. There is a major difference in lakeside houses, beach condos, mountain cabins, and city apartments so be sure that your realtor knows the ins and outs of MN lake properties.
Don’t overspend on your property purchase
Even if you have come across your dream home and feel like you shouldn’t pass up on the opportunity try to avoid spending more than your allotted budget. This is another common mistake and it is sometimes understandable to spend more than you originally expected if the property seems like the perfect spot to raise your family.
But no matter what you should try to stay within budget whenever possible. When you overspend on the actual home what are you going to do for fun? Lake houses should be equipped with kayaks, speedboats, and tubing gear to keep the whole family having fun under the sun. If you overspend on the house you won’t have much wiggle room when it comes to entertainment.
Try to remember that even if the property doesn’t seem absolutely perfect adjustments can always be made. You can add a pool, update the kitchen or renovate the master bathroom when the time comes. This doesn’t mean you have to settle for a less-than-perfect home, just that you have plenty of time to settle in and make changes as you go.
