Lakeside Lifestyles
A look at trends that have made waves at Lake Martin
The real estate market along Alabama’s Lake Martin is hot, quite literally. The warm weather beckons buyers to ramp up their search, making late spring through summer peak season for buying and selling waterfront properties.
Potential buyers are on the search for their first lake home. Aside from the picturesque views of Lake Martin, your checklist might also include a turn-key home, especially for those who don’t consider themselves fixer-uppers. You will also want a location that gives a sense of community.
That neighborhood appeal has become a big selling point for buyers around Lake Martin. Developments that offer opportunities for connections as well as amenities to complement lake living, have become especially attractive with buyers.
EMERGING TRENDS
The trend is contributing to the popularity of newer communities like The Village at Lake Martin. Most buyers are ages 40 and up.
It’s like condo living, except you have your own house. The Village offers a community pool, fitness center, a private boat dock as well as lawn maintenance. When potential buyers hear that their yard and landscaping is taken care of, that is huge for them.
Resting on nearly 200 acres on the shores of Lake Martin, The Village has a wide range of options and prices – from bungalows and cottages to large luxury homes. The community is designed by one architect and builder and boasts over 3,000 feet of shoreline.
While Lake Martin is known for having the largest concentration of luxury homes in Alabama, realtors say they’re seeing more families choose smaller homes to avoid some of the hassles of property ownership.
The Village at Kowaliga Bay is a development of tiny homes. These homes have a small footprint but still have water access and maintained amenities like lawn care, common docks, a boat ramp, boat storage, a pool house with restrooms and a kitchen, as well as a workout facility. The design trend is taking hold in communities throughout the area, especially outdoor enthusiasts and younger buyers whose budgets are smaller.
The advantage to buying here is having a lake home at a more affordable price. These homes are also rentable, making it even easier to afford.
LONG-TERM LAKE INVESTMENT
The market continues to soar at Lake Martin.
In fact, the most recent real estate report for Lake Martin shows a significant increase in value year over year. The median price for waterfront homes have steadily risen significantly over time. Real estate experts believe low inventory levels can be a contributing factor for rising sales prices. Because of that, homes are selling more quickly than in previous years.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
There is a real sense of community on and around Lake Martin. Not just the people who live there year-round, but the people who come here to get away. They keep it up, take care of it and make it a good place to spend time.
That feeling of camaraderie is ultimately why many out-of-town families decide to make Lake Martin their home away from home.
If only we all could look forward to the day we could wake up, walk outside and sip a cup of coffee while looking out over the water, may your dreams come true!
