Get your lakefront living dreams and let’s dive in to some tips for buying lakefront property in Lake Norman! Some envision evenings nestled on their back porch and while others yearn for hot summer days spent boating around Lake Norman. The benefits that come with owning a lakefront property are tremendous, but it also comes with a handful of rules and regulations that you should be aware of.
Lakefront Activities
The first thing that you should do is consider the kind of lakefront activities you’re hoping to enjoy, as some properties may not be right for certain types. Fortunately, Lake Norman has a variety of lakefront activities including fishing, boating, and many water sports. Be sure to mention what your plans are for your lakefront property to your realtor to avoid unnecessary heartache.
Some properties are more centrally located where stopping at the Sandbar or some of the best lakefront eateries in the Lake Norman area are easy to get to, whereas other properties boast a more tranquil area, but less accessible than others. Plus, if your shoreline isn’t designed for the activities you desire, be sure that your property classification allows for you to make the necessary changes that you want.
Shoreline Renovation, Restrictions and Responsibilities
If you are thinking about making changes to the shoreline of your lakefront home, know the restrictions involved. Duke Energy restricts what can be built on and around your shoreline, based on a system that classifies the shoreline between 1 and 17. This is something important to consider when purchasing your lakefront home. If it doesn’t currently have a dock and you’d like to build one, you’ll want to know how the shoreline is classified. For example, if it’s classified as a “Residential Marina” (where there are shared docks) or “Environmental”, there would be no future hope in building a dock. Whereas, a “Residential” or “Future Residential” classification would allow for you to build a dock.
Another key item to consider is water levels at your property. Remember, Lake Norman is a man-made lake, and the Cowans Ford Dam in combination with other factors affect the water level of Lake Norman. Water levels can fluctuate frequently, which impact the type of activities that can take place on your shoreline. This may also impact they type of boat that you are able to keep, considering that deck boats and speed boats require deeper water, whereas pontoon boats can get by with much shallower water.
This is especially important to keep in mind when you’re searching for the perfect home. For example, if your shoreline isn’t as deep as you need it to be for your boat, you may need to have the area around the dock dredged. Due to North Carolina fish spawning, dredging is only permitted between July 1st-February 28th.
Fun Fact: Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in the Carolinas. It’s 130 feet at its deepest point and has over 500 miles of shoreline!
Lakefront Permits
Lake Norman is a man-made lake, managed by Duke Energy. Lakefront property owners must obtain a permit to make any changes, build, or repair along the shoreline. This includes docks, piers, boat slips and other shoreline structures (including beaches, seawalls, stairs, etc.) Duke Energy provides an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions about lake use and permitting process.
Duke Energy requires docks to have a permit, renewed yearly. Permitted structures have a tag affixed by Duke Energy.
Cost of Lakefront Home Maintenance
Lake Norman comes with many reasons to live on the lake, but like with anything, it comes with a tradeoff. Be sure to consider the increased cost of living lakefront, including:
- Home Insurance and taxes
- Living lakefront may mean that your home insurance premiums, now paired with flood insurance, are higher than before.
- Lakefront property comes with higher property taxes, due to your location.
- Home Maintenance
- Lakefront homes are oftentimes less-shielded from environmental elements, including increased humidity in the summer months. Moisture plays a role in the structural integrity of places with wood construction, including doorways, decks, piers, etc.
- Consider the wear-and-tear on high traffic areas after lake activities. Think about wet, sandy feed tracking in from the lake causing damage to flooring.
- Finally, consider the effects of inclement weather. Bad storms may cause strong winds which yield flying debris into windows or shoreline damage due to rough waves.
- Dredging, Riprap, Sea Walls, Dock
- It’s likely that you will need to repair or maintain the existing structures on your shoreline. It’s important to inspect the condition of such structures and consider annual costs you may face in maintaining them.
Prepare for Lakefront Living
Last but not least, get ready to live on Lake Norman! You will love all that the lake has to offer. Boat directly to lakefront eateries like Hello Sailor, Port City Club, and North Harbor Club. Cruise out to the Sandbar to join your friends and neighbors on a gorgeous, Carolina-blue day. Kick back and relax on your back porch and enjoy the serene landscapes of the lake. Best of all? Live like you’re on vacation everyday.
Convinced that you’re ready to buy a lakefront property? Great! Take the next step and contact me. Be sure to let me know what you are looking for! Then, go to Lake Norman Homes for Sale and select the “Waterfront” option under Marine Life to filter results for your new lakefront home!
