Lakefront and Recreational Property: A Clare County Specialty

If there’s one thing that sets Clare County apart from a lot of other real estate markets in Michigan, it’s the abundance of lakes, rivers, and recreational land. This is truly a special place for people who love the outdoors, and that makes our market “unique” in interesting ways — a word that does a lot of heavy lifting in real estate conversations, though I’ll admit I’ve heard worse at dinner.

Lakefront property has always been in high demand here, and that demand has only grown in recent years. In large part due to the Seacord, Wixom, and Sanford Lakes dam failures. The buyers who would have typically sought out those lakes quickly discovered Clare County’s lakes and what a great value they could get. In turn, we have seen prices for lakefront homes increase leaps and bounds. It will be interesting to see how our county’s lakefront homes hold their market value as the dams in Gladwin and Midland County are repaired and those lakes begin the restoration and attempt to bring back the health and ecosystems of those lakes starting this year.

Additionally, when the pandemic changed the way people worked and lived, a lot of buyers from larger cities started looking at lake homes in a new light. Instead of a place to visit a few weekends a summer, a lake home became a place to live full time, or at least a significant portion of the year. Turns out, sitting in traffic isn’t a mandatory part of the human experience.

That increased interest has had a real impact on values. Waterfront and water-access properties have appreciated significantly. If you own a lake home and haven’t thought about what it might be worth in today’s market, you might be surprised — pleasantly, for once. A local agent will be able to educate you on lake dredging projects, special assessments, Central Michigan District Health Department well and septic requirements, and homeowners association particulars. This is an excellent example of how working with a local agent will benefit you, as opposed to learning about special assessments at the closing table because your agent wasn’t knowledgeable in the local market.

For buyers looking at lake property, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, know the difference between lakefront, lake access, and lake view. Lakefront means your property directly touches the water. Lake access means you have the right to use a shared access point, but your home isn’t on the water. Lake view means you can see the water from your property — sometimes only with binoculars while standing on the roof. Each of these has a meaningfully different value.

Also consider whether the lake is all-sports, allowing motorized watercraft, or restricted. All-sports lakes tend to command higher prices. Look into the depth of the lake, the water quality, and the homeowner’s association rules if one exists. The Department of Natural Resources has good resources on the public lakes across our county, and additional information can be found on their website.

Seasonal versus year-round use is another consideration. Some lake homes in our area are set up for year-round living with full utilities and insulation. Others are more cabin-style and better suited for three seasons. Know what you’re buying. Is the home on a paved road? Does it have natural gas or propane? What internet service, if any, is available? These details will impact both the price of the home and your quality of life.

Whether you’re looking to buy or curious about the value of a property you already own, I’d love to help — stop by the office, give me a call, or send a message. Lake property is one of my favorite things to work with, and I promise to keep the enthusiasm professional.

Daniel Dwyer-Snyder is an Associate Broker with CENTURY 21 Signature Realty in Clare & Lake. He can be reached at 989-321-9927.