7 Things to Know Before Buying a Waterfront Lake LBJ Home

Lake LBJ is one of the most sought-after lakes in Texas. Located just outside of Austin, Lake LBJ offers a stunning view of the picturesque Texas Hill Country landscape and an array of activities for residents to enjoy year-round.

The lake is an artificial reservoir located on the Colorado River. The lake is named after Lyndon B. Johnson, a former US president and a native Texan. It is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas and attracts thousands of visitors yearly.

People relocate to Lake LBJ for its beauty and convenience. The lifestyle of residents living in Lake LBJ is gratifying and relaxing. They can enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, and many other activities available at their doorstep. The coveted location offers an excellent opportunity for investment properties and primary residences because it has such high demand from buyers all over the country.

In addition to its natural beauty, many luxury homes are built right along the shoreline. The beauty and luxury of these waterfront homes have made them highly desirable to many homeowners looking for an escape from city life while still having access to all the amenities they desire. But before you decide to move to Lake LBJ, there are eight things you should know about before signing a purchase agreement on your new home.

A waterfront LBJ home is a unique kind of real estate, and various factors need to be considered when determining the true value of the property. Understanding the property value of waterfront real estate is a process that takes time and research. Traditional subdivisions tend to have similar home and lot sizes and construction types. Therefore, a price-per-square-foot valuing system is applicable. However, this methodology may not work as well for waterfront property. For instance, lakefront locations typically upstage residential locations, which can significantly impact the home’s price tag. Likewise, the impact of additional lake-based amenities such as docks, flood history, and waterfront upgrades, including boathouse renovations, must all be considered when valuing a lakeside house.

There is no need for alarm when speaking about flood insurance. In fact, the majority of homes near lakes do not experience flooding due to rising water. However, it is always better to be safe now than regretful later. Flood insurance is usually required by lenders. Still, it's a good idea to do your due diligence to understand what your specific property needs for comprehensive protection. Flood insurance costs vary significantly from home to home. Elevation certificates can also be tricky to understand, so make sure you take the advice of an expert.

Lake LBJ’s floor is just as diverse as its surrounding lake homes. The composition of the lake ground varies in different areas, which may include sand, rock, mud, weed, and even slime. Though this may appear to be a minor consideration, the lake floor composition can profoundly affect purchase satisfaction. You and your loved ones must be comfortable making use of the lake. This decision should include determining how much of a dealmaker or dealbreaker the composition of the lake floor will be when deciding to purchase.

It's easy to imagine that all waterfront properties are close to their respective lakes, but that's not always the case. While some homes are built directly on the shoreline, other properties are constructed further back from the shoreline. This is partly due to the floodplain and local building regulations. However, your new lakefront home's proximity to the water can affect other details. For instance, a house closer to the water will have little room for a yard, while a home further away from the waterfront will have a larger yard. This is a critical aspect of a home purchase, especially if you have children.

Shoreline ownership can considerably impact your ability to enjoy your new lakefront home. If your neighbor or someone else owns the land along your side of the lake, you won't be able to use it as much as if it were yours. For example, if there's a dock on that land, it might not belong to you and your family. Instead, it could belong to someone else who has permission from your neighbor to use it whenever they want. That means that even though technically you live on a lake and have access to water activities like fishing or boating, they may not be readily available without the permission of the valid owner to access the shore and docks.

Buying a lakefront home can be extremely rewarding, but it's important to consider FEMA code compliance when doing so. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sets guidelines for the construction of homes in floodplains. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that homes are built to withstand flooding and other natural disasters. They also help ensure that homeowners are able to receive insurance coverage for their properties. If you buy a non-compliant home, you may be required to carry additional insurance coverage or pay more for your mortgage payments.

Water-based home inspections are crucial for lakefront homes. The water can erode your foundation and cause the house to settle, making the home more vulnerable to damage. Water-based home inspections can help you understand the potential risks associated with living on a lake and give you information about any issues that may impact the value of your home. These inspections include surveys, water quality tests, elevation certification, wetland delineations, and other water-based assessments.

If you're looking for luxury homes for sale on Lake LBJ, Landmasters Real Estate is the team to call. LandMasters Real Estate agents will help you navigate the process of finding your dream waterfront home, and we'll be there every step of the way. If you have any questions or want more information about the houses for sale on Lake LBJ, please don't hesitate to contact us today.