8 Key Elements to Look for in Your New Lake Michigan Home!

Last week we talked about ten ways that you can easily navigate through the Lake Michigan Shoreline home buying process. We know it can be exciting to think about the possibilities of buying a beautiful home along Lake Michigan’s shores, and being fully prepared to do so will help the process run smoothly.

As the Shoreline Property Advisors team, we want to help you find the home of your dreams, whether it’s a vacation home on Lake Michigan or a permanent residence in Chicago, the North Shore, the Indiana Shoreline or Harbor Country. We gathered the top eight key elements you’ll want to think about when searching for your Lake Michigan Shoreline home. These should help you quickly narrow down your search to the top homes that fit your needs, lifestyle and budget!

1. Location- No matter how tired we get of hearing it; this is one of the most important things! You can always make changes to the interior and exterior of your home, making it look exactly as you would like, but you cannot move your home to a new location. Be sure that the location you choose matches your desires for things such lake access or close proximity to work or daily activities.

2. Situational Factors- Other than the location of the home, be sure to check out the other details of the location. Is the home on hill with a view of Lake Michigan? Do your windows look directly into the neighbors’ home? Is the yard good for pets, children or a garden?

3 Curb Appeal- Be sure to consider the home’s condition and determine whether you are willing to put in extra money if updates are needed. Reflect on the style of the home to see if it is in line with your style. If gardening is not something you like, be sure to consider the maintenance of the lawn and foliage.

4. Size and Floorplan- Although you want the most space for your money, buying a home that’s too large may not be in your best interest. Know your goals for the home, whether it’s a permanent home or a vacation getaway that you’ll use for hosting family and friends. Floor plan, along with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, play a role in how comfortable and efficient your home is for you.

5. Kitchen- The kitchen is the “heart of the home” so you want to know you enjoy the space! Remodeling is always an option, but is a huge undertaking and can become very costly.

6. Closets and Storage- Check out the closets and storage space to see if you can live with it and it will fit any additional gear for enjoying Lake Michigan. Do you have alot of outdoor gear for biking, camping, canoeing or even boating? You’ll want a home that can easily fit all of your things. There are always options of wardrobe’s or other creative ways to get more storage space in a room, but determining your storage needs first is important.

7. Windows and Lighting- Consider the amount of windows or light available in each room. Most homes directly on Lake Michigan have many windows that offer stunning lake views! If you enjoy taking in the scenery, making sure the home you choose has plenty of sunlight and windows is important.

8. Finishing Touches- Look at those special details that make the home stand out. While this is minor, it is still what makes a home feel pulled together. If you absolutely love the home you’ve found in Chicago, Evanston, the Indiana Shoreline or Harbor Country; buy it. You can always make additional updates later!

We understand there are a wide variety of things to consider when buying a home, so we hope that this information will help you hone in on the things you’re really looking for in your next home purchase.

As always, we’re here to help in any way possible! Whether you have questions about the Lake Michigan Shoreline Real Estate market or what neighborhood would be suit your needs; we’d love the opportunity to talk with you!

Feel free to contact us anytime to get started!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff