Lakefront vs. Oceanfront Home – Key Differences to Consider

Waterfront properties are a dream for many people. A lot of specialized effort goes into both constructing these properties and maintaining them. This is why they’re typically more expensive. However, if you’re intent on getting a waterfront property, ensure you’re getting the right one. There are critical differences between a lakefront vs. oceanfront home, and they might be dealbreakers for a lot of people. As such, you must properly look into which one you’d prefer to avoid making a mistake. To this end, we’ve put together a list of key differences to consider between a lakefront vs. an oceanfront home. We are sure you will be able to determine what’s best for your needs and budget.

Location and use

When it comes to real estate, location is the be-all, end-all. While you may be able to renovate or upgrade your home, there is nothing you can do to improve the location. Although lake and ocean are both prime locations, there are still differences between a lakefront vs. an oceanfront home, as the location also makes them suitable for different uses. For example, if you’re looking for a primary residence, you’ll want a home close to family and friends with convenient amenities and other essential locations. In this case, the lakefront property is often the better choice.

On the other hand, if you’re shopping for a vacation home, you’ll want to be close to entertainment and fun places to visit. In this case, the oceanfront is sometimes better. At the end of the day, you could have a lakefront home be a vacation home and an oceanfront home as a primary residence, but there are advantages to the opposite. Additionally, if you have children, you should consider how to keep kids safe in a waterfront home in the long run.

Cost

If there’s any clear difference between a lakefront vs. oceanfront home, it’s the price. Of course, the details can vary from state to state, but oceanfront properties are typically much pricier than lakefront. The cost is actually tied to a detail we already mentioned: oceanfront properties are typically vacation homes. And when it comes to real estate prices, vacation homes are usually sold at a premium. As such, it’s unfortunate that oceanfront property is almost always going to be more expensive, and this probably won’t change. So, if you’re working on a tighter budget, you might want to consider a lakefront home instead. Additionally, experts from zippyshellphl.com note that you should be careful when moving into one of these properties. After all, it’s very easy to damage the property when moving in, and the last thing you want is to damage a costly property immediately after moving.

Maintenance

Another significant factor in the debate is maintenance, and this can get complicated. Generally speaking, both types of homes are somewhat challenging to maintain, but in unique ways. The only part of maintenance they share is that, because of exposure to a lot of moisture, wood rot is a constant threat. However, it would help if you specifically protected beachfront properties against salt water, which can be difficult. Protecting the home from water requires special materials to be used in the home and even more specific maintenance routines.

In contrast, lakefront properties suffer less from the water, but maintaining their yards and keeping animals out can be difficult. So, carefully consider the type of maintenance required, as this might decide it for you. Additionally, when opting for lakefront properties, consider how to keep your waterfront home free from unwanted animals; proper preparation will help immensely.

Style of the property

Architecturally, there are a lot of similarities between oceanfront and lakefront homes. However, there are a couple of significant differences. For one, they are made from very different materials. Beach homes need to use specific materials to be resistant to salt water. Lake homes are made from a wider variety of materials, but moisture resistance is still significant. Then, there are the yards: beach homes typically have either small yards or don’t have a yard at all. Lake homes usually have large yards with lots of trees and other vegetation. This difference in style can be enough to sway the decision of someone considering both types of properties. And when it comes to style, remember to think about decorating your property. After moving in, you can look up decorating tips if you want to add some style to the property with personal touches. What better way to make a house feel like a home than to decorate it to your liking?

The kinds of activities you plan to enjoy

Yes, both lakefront and oceanfront homes are very close to the water, but the kinds of things you can do in either are different. The reason for this is quite simple: the water in a lake and on a beach is considerably different. Lake water is still, while ocean water tends to be turbulent, depending on the weather. As such, lakefront homes are much more suited to fishing or simply boating, while beachfront homes are more suited for surfing or beach activities. Another significant difference is that beachfront homes see a lot of passersby, while lakefront homes are typically secluded. Of course, the main problem with both properties is still buying them. To make it easier, you should consider some tips for buying water view real estate; since the process is very different than buying a regular home.

Lakefront vs. oceanfront home – closing thoughts

There are a lot of things to consider when deciding between buying a lakefront or oceanfront home. However, the decision mainly comes down to what kinds of activities you plan to use it for. To put it simply, lakefront homes are often better suited to a quiet lifestyle, while oceanfront homes are sometimes much better for exciting activities. Then, there’s the topic of style and maintenance. While both types of properties have similarities, there are also some significant differences in both style and maintenance, which can easily sway buyers’ decisions one way or the other. So, be sure to do your research and consider everything before deciding.

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