Lake Conroe Homes: Lakefront Property Buyer's Guide
Posted by Janet Owens on Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 at 6:40pm.
The area around Houston is blessed with many amazing lakes, ponds, and waterways, with property at these locations remaining as popular as ever.
And if you're looking to buy a lakefront home around Houston, particularly around Lake Conroe - then you're in luck!
Read on to learn some of the ins and outs of buying waterfront real estate in this awesome location.
Why Buy a Lakefront Property at Lake Conroe?
Obviously the best reason to move to the Lake Conroe area is Lake Conroe itself.
21 miles of fresh water, filled with fish, surrounded by national forest at its northern end, and graced by beautiful weather all year round - this body of water is a popular attraction for the entire Houston area.
And, at Lake Conroe you're by no means stuck in a rural wilderness. Houston is about an hour's drive south, and the area itself hosts many beautiful communities offering facilities for boating, sports, dining, retail, and golf.
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If you're interested in buying lakefront properties here, make sure to check out some of these subdivisions:
Lake Conroe - Nearby Attractions
The Lake Conroe area has a huge selection of things to do and see. Outdoor activities, fine-dining, and cultural sites are some of the big draws, so here's a run-down of some of the highlights:
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- Sam Houston National Forest - Around 163, 037 acres of wooded land allowing camping, hunting, and hiking along its many miles of trails.
- Golf - Bentwater, Grand Pines, Walden on Lake Conroe, and La Toretta are some of the premier golfing communities and clubs around Lake Conroe.
- Nearby cities - Montgomery, Conroe, and of course, Houston, offer entertainment, shopping, services, and cultural attractions all within a short driving distance of Lake Conroe.
Lake Conroe and the many surrounding lakes and rivers are also renowned for their awesome fishing. Lake Conroe itself is known for its largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and varieties of striped bass. Some regulations apply for taking largemouth bass, so inquire before you head out.
If you'd like to look at the current homes for sale on Lake Conroe, view our Lake Conroe real estate listings page or contact us to view a home of your choice.
Tips For Buying Lakefront Properties
Lakeside property isn't like other property.
For a start, there's a lake, and that means water - lots of it. So, make sure to get any prospective property inspected by a professional for moisture-related issues.
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And you can do some investigation of your own. Talk to the neighbors and ask what they know about the property and your section of the shore. One thing you may want to investigate are shoreline variations, like how much it moves. Are there any long term trends? You don't want to buy some prime lake access only to watch it creep away from you year after year.
Make sure you know exactly what you're buying - when it comes to lakeside property, the land itself is the most important thing. After all, its the location that holds most of the value.
Walk the property and figure out the exact boundaries. Check to make sure exactly where your property rights begin and end, and, if you're unsure, get a survey done to make it official.
Other things to look into would be any added insurance requirements, and the state of the rental market if you're not planning on living in your lakeside home full time.
Lakeside Laws And Regulations
Living next to Lake Conroe is all about opportunity. Opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and fun. But it's not all just care-free fun in the sun.
Lakeside living also has its own set of responsibilities and obligations.
The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) administers Lake Conroe and its associated waterways, applying and enforcing certain rules and regulations.
Building on or into the water, commercial activity, noise controls - all of these are regulated by the SJRA (on top of any specific rules associated with your subdivision).
If you're into any very specific activities, you'll want to make extra sure that you can do them when and where you want. For example, Lake Conroe generally doesn't allow parasailing - sorry parasailers!
Lakefront Living
Thankfully, the Lake Conroe area is already sufficiently developed so you won't have to worry to much about basic services and utilities here. But - it pays to be prepared. If you're buying a home in the area, get it fitted to handle whatever the lake, or the weather, can throw at it.
And finally, remember that with lakeside property, location is even more important. You can landscape and renovate all you want, but not much is going to change your relationship to the lake. If you're in a noisy spot, or the approach isn't good for boats, then these problems are likely to remain. However, if you get a spot that suits your lake-related needs and desires, then you'll be set up for success for anything that might come your way.
To navigate these tough decisions, make sure to find a real estate agent that knows the area - and specifically waterfront property - well. Their knowledge and experience will prove to be invaluable. Here at The Property Source, we know Lake Conroe as well as anyone, so get in touch with us if you're thinking of buying or selling.
