Michigan is a beautiful place, and we are blessed with abundant lakes.  While many of these are protected resources, we are fortunate to have many waterfront properties for sale.  Whether you love paddleboating in the spring, wakeboarding in the summer, or ice fishing in winter, lakefront living is great.

However, waterfront homes in West Michigan come with many extra challenges.  To keep you from being blindsided, here are four crucial things you need to check BEFORE you buy a Grand Rapids lake house.

 1.  Structure and Damage

Lake houses take a lot more abuse than inland homes.  This is due to different factors, including added moisture in the air, reduced tree protection from the elements, and more extreme temperature changes.  As a result, it can be considerably more expensive to properly maintain a lake house in Grand Rapids.

In addition, many waterfront homes were initially built as cottages.  We often see signs of rushed construction, reduced insulation, and cheaper materials throughout lake houses.  Because of this, they can become run down faster than average.

Whenever possible, get an inspector who has experience with this type of home.  They are quicker to identify waterfront-specific problems, and can often recommend contractors with experience in fixing them. Continue reading “4 Crucial Things You Need to Check BEFORE You Buy a Lake House in Grand Rapids” →