Recently, we’ve been talking about buying or renting a vacation home on the Lake Michigan Shoreline, and it’s simply because now is a great time to jump into the market! People are looking at homes that are currently available in New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Lakeside, Sawyer and other Harbor Country towns in hopes of securing their vacation destination.
As a team of Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents and advisors here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we’ve seen how busy the spring real estate market can be and know that vacation homes, even rentals, will be gone before you know it!
And supply is not the only reason to consider buying now. The recent Case-Shiller Index report noted that home prices are on the rise as the 20 largest markets in the nations showed the largest year-over-year gain in prices since June 2006. "This marks the highest increase since the housing bubble burst," said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
If you’re ready to begin your vacation home search along Lake Michigan, there are five things you’ll want to consider in the home you choose. While these aren’t the only aspects to look for in a Harbor Country vacation home, they will help you quickly narrow down your search!
1. Layout and Space- Know your goals for the home, whether it’s a long term home or a home that you’ll use for hosting family and friends for vacations. Floor plan, along with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, play a role in how comfortable and efficient your home is for you. Although you want the most space for your money, buying a home that’s too large may not be in your best interest.
2. Location & Views- It’s often said that location is key, and that’s very true! 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 beach access, amenities and community. Also consider the views from the homes or condos that you tour. If you want to be able to sit out on your porch, or enjoy the views from your living room, this will be on the top of your list. A home that’s a good price, but is in a less than ideal environment may not be the home for you.
3. Kitchen- For many, 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.
4. Closets and Storage- Those vacationing in Harbert, Union Pier, Grand Beach, or any of the other quaint beach towns along the shoreline will often need extra storage for activities such as fishing, water skiing, boating, etc... so be sure the home you’re viewing has adequate storage.
5. Finishes- 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, but aren’t keen on the finishes; buy it. You can always make additional updates later!
We hope these tips help you hone in on what you really want and need in your vacation home in Harbor Country!
Want to learn more? We’re here to help answer your questions and help you get started! We’ll be sure to answer your questions and walk with you through each step of the vacation home buying process.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff
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