5 Things You Should Know About Buying Waterfront Property in Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago, the “Best Kept Secret” of Lee’s Summit, MO Area Lake Communities is Expanding.

There is good news for those interested in living in the beautiful Lake Winnebago community! Lake Winnebago has expanded, and will now add another 145 acres of water with amazing lakefront and wooded lots. Your beautiful new Lake Winnebago dream home awaits! If you’ve always wanted to own waterfront property in Lake Winnebago, how about a new build!

Residence call Lake Winnebago the  “best kept secret” of the local lake communities in the area; located just off 291 highway in southern Lee’s Summit.  This beautiful community of custom homes was originally developed around a 252 acre lake that is still privately owned and is now being expanded.  Located in Cass County, Missouri, most Lake Winnebago homes part of the Lee’s Summit School District, while some Lake Winnebago homes are located in Raymore and part of the Ray-Pec School District.

Lake Winnebago functions as its own city, has its own city hall and police department, and the majority of the community is part of the Lee’s Summit school system.  The existing neighborhoods range in price from the upper 3000,000- to upper 700,000 in 2nd and 3rd tier lots up to more then $2 million for some of the more upscale lakefront lots. Homes date back to the 1970’s on the north side of the lake, and the south side was more recently developed in the late 1990’s.  The long awaited lake community and lake expansion has begun as mentioned above. Lake Winnebago will now add another 145 beautiful acres of water with amazing lakefront and wooded lots.  Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to experience waterfront life on Lake Winnebago.

Here are some things to consider before you buy property on the water. Waterfront property can pretty alluring because you’re buying both land and the waterfront all in one swift stroke. After all, if you live there, it will be much like being on a perpetual vacation. But that same attractiveness has led many buyers to experience not a little remorse later down the road. Buying any property is typically a pretty complicated affair, but buying waterfront property comes with its own special set of complications. So make sure you know what you need to know before laying down your hard-earned cash. To help you out, here are 5 things you should know about buying waterfront property in Lake Winnebago.

1. The Property May Be More Important than the House/Structure

When buying waterfront property, you should keep squarely in mind that the property itself may very well be a more important concern than the house or other structure that sits on it. So when it comes to waterfront property in Lake Winnebago, here’s what the pros advise . . .

“Oftentimes, people fall in love with a house, but after they buy it, they realize the swimming is mucky, the view’s not very good, it’s difficult to get down to the water, or the place is not very private . . . You can change the house, but you can’t change the location, so buy a property that you really love.”

2. You May Be Limited in What You Can Do

Before you get locked into the purchase of waterfront property in Lake Winnebago, you also need to find out exactly what you can – and can’t – do with and to the property. If you want to make changes or improvements to the property, make sure early on that you can, especially if any community HOA or government agencies (which can be fairly strict) are involved.

In addition, you need to find what kind of activities are and are not allowed on the water. Many areas have restrictions on jet skis and speed boats, and others don’t allow gasoline-powered watercraft at all.

3. You Must Talk to Neighbors and Look into Utilities

Similarly, be sure to talk to your potential neighbors to get a real feel for the property and the area. Ask them whether they enjoy living there and why and whether they’ve had any specific issues or problems. They will also be a good resource to find out about restrictions.

And utilities may be a concern with waterfront property in Lake Winnebago (or anywhere else really). Often, people who “are accustomed to the convenience of suburban life may assume that electricity, clean water, an adequate septic system, cable andInternet will be readily available at their new property, but this is not always the case. Bringing these services into remote areas can be very expensive . . . so investigate these issues before buying.”

Also, be sure to consult your agent on both of these points for more information. To discover more about this, just call (816) 695-7352.

4. Insurance Will be Different and (Possibly) More Expensive

People who buy waterfront property in Lake Winnebago are often taken by surprise when it comes to insurance – by both the added complexity and the higher premiums.

You may have to buy more than one policy to cover such things as the house itself and flood and wind, depending on the area and exact location. In addition, “[w]waterfront homes have more expensive insurance policies than non-waterfront properties because they’re at higher risk for flooding and wind damage . . . Flood insurance is costly, to begin with, and depending on what type of flood zone your property is in, it can get superexpensive.”

So you need to make sure you “understand what insurance policies the property requires and how much they will cost. Find out the latter from an insurance broker who has written recent waterfront policies.” Your local agent may also be able to provide some guidance here.

5. You Need an Agent Who Specializes

Perhaps the most important thing you should know about buying waterfront property in Lake Winnebago is the importance of an agent who has extensive and recent experience with such properties in Lake Winnebago. Even better would be a local real estate agent who specializes in waterfront properties.

either a lake or a beachfront property, the agent should know whether the bottom of the water and the shoreline are rocky, sandy or muddy. The agent should also be able to tell you what recreational activities are possible on the water. The agent should also be able to connect you with your potential neighbors and other locals who can share their perspective on living in the area.”

“For example, if you’re looking at either a lake or a beachfront property, the agent should know whether the bottom of the water and the shoreline are rocky, sandy or muddy. The agent should also be able to tell you what recreational activities are possible on the water. The agent should also be able to connect you with your potential neighbors and other locals who can share their perspective on living in the area.”

Simply put, you need an agent who understands and can help you navigate the complexities of buying waterfront property. And we have the agents you need. So if you’re thinking about buying waterfront property in Lake Winnebago, contact us today at (816) 695-7352.