Whiteboard Topics: Do Lake Markets Match Reach Estate Headlines?

If you’ve looked for real estate in your life, you’ve seen the different headlines about real estate markets. Now, if you happen to be looking for a lake home, you may think to yourself, “Do those headlines pertain to lake markets, too?” Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, dives into why these don’t typically match up.

  1. Location, Location, Location: This is a big contributing factor for lake real estate. Oftentimes, the headlines revolve around residential properties. The location of a lake changes the property value of a home. In fact, demand, popularity, and price can all be determined by the location of lake homes.
  2. “Phantom” Inventory: Because there is a big demand for lake properties, some homes are selling and some simply aren’t. This can be attributed to what is priced right and what isn’t. This leads the market to look inflated when it’s actually due to this “phantom” inventory. 
  3. Discretionary Homes: Some people who are looking to sell their lake home might be sitting on it due to a lack of urgency. This differs from residential real estate, where many homeowners are trying to sell as soon as possible.
  4. More Second Homes: If the lake property isn’t your main home, you’re not under a time constraint trying to get out and into your next. This leads to longer transaction periods. 
  5. More Investment Properties: Regardless of whether you use it as your second home or as a rental property, you’re putting money into it. What this means is that you’re creating new buyer demand.
  6. Mortgage Rates Not as Influential: It would surprise you how many lake property transactions are made with cash. Having more cash transactions means mortgages aren’t as impactful. 

In other words, these tips should give more insight into the reasoning behind lake market headlines not matching with other real estate. Another great way to gain more information is to reach out to a lake expert. If that’s something you’re thinking about, check out LakeHomes.com/agents to connect with one of our agents today!

Zac Parnell

Alumnus of The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Digital Marketing. Currently a Social Media Specialist at Lake Homes Realty.