A waterfront home is more than just a trophy property. It’s a place for fun and relaxation. Learn about the advantages and potential challenges of buying Denver, NC waterfront homes for sale.
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Denver, NC as a lakefront destination
Denver offers lakeside living in a small town setting just 25 miles from Charlotte. Formerly known as Dry Pond, the city is nestled on the western edge of Lake Norman, offering direct water access and breathtaking views of the lake.
Lake Norman is considered an inland sea with a surface area of 32,475 acres and nearly 520 miles of pristine shoreline. It is the largest artificial lake in North Carolina, having been created by Duke Energy in 1963.
Located about 20 miles from Charlotte, it offers a wide array of water-based activities, including swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, boating, and fishing.
Denver is the perfect gateway to the quieter side of Lake Norman. Its western banks are dotted with coves, wooded lots, and estate-style waterfront homes. From peaceful fishing spots teeming with small bass, to coves with marinas and docks, this city offers a year-round vacation lifestyle.
Waterfront communities in and around Denver, NC
Buyers will find an excellent selection of Denver, NC waterfront homes for sale in the following communities:
- Westport
- Sailview
- Norman Estates
- Pebble Bay
- Governors Island
- Webbs Chapel Cove
- Ashley Cove
- Norman Pointe
- West Bay
- Harbor Oaks
Many of these communities are gated neighborhoods offering luxury real estate. Some of these neighborhoods have upscale amenities like clubhouses, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and parks in addition to lake access.
Buying waterfront homes for sale in Denver, NC
Denver’s current real estate market
The local housing market has seen remarkable price growth and fewer days on the market for the most desirable properties. With more Americans working remotely, there has been an influx of buyers in second home markets and vacation towns in the United States. Denver real estate has benefited from this trend although the city’s waterfront properties have consistently seen strong demand.
According to Redfin, median home prices were up 14.1% in June 2022 compared to the previous year. The median sales price for homes was $525,000 while homes stayed 28 days on the market on average. The average home sold for about 1% above listing price while the most coveted home could sell for 6% above listing price.
The real estate website also considered the local housing market to be “somewhat competitive”. It is not uncommon for homes to get multiple offers so buyers should come prepared.
Denver offers a fine selection of waterfront properties, including but not limited to Contemporary, Modern Farmhouse, and Craftsman-style homes with private docks, outdoor pools, and spacious observation decks.
The advantages of owning waterfront property
There are many benefits to buying Denver, NC waterfront homes for sale, including:
Recreation– Lakefront living lets you enjoy water-based activities in your own time. With direct access to the water, you can go swimming, fishing, or kayaking as you please. If you’re a boating enthusiast, owning a waterfront property with private docks makes it even more convenient to keep and maintain a boat without having to pay storage fees.
Wellness– Research has shown that living near or on a body of water can help promote health and happiness. According to researchers, living by the water puts individuals in a peaceful and meditative state, which helps reduce stress and boost well-being.
Lakefront living is the perfect antidote to the fast-paced and hyper-connected lifestyle in highly urbanized areas. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city, owning a lakefront home provides a quick change in scenery to help you tune out and recover from stress.
Gatherings– Waterfront homes are perfect for entertaining with friends and family. It’s a wonderful way of creating many happy memories with your loved ones. If you plan on having people over for the holidays, a large waterfront property offers enough bedrooms and seating space to accommodate your guests. Choosing a waterfront home with an outdoor patio or viewing deck will also encourage your guests to marvel in the beauty of Lake Norman.
Privacy– Many Denver, NC waterfront homes for sale are located within gated neighborhoods which limit foot traffic and enhance security. The city is also located on the more rural and less busy of the lake, which offers a great deal of peace and privacy to homeowners.
Income potential– A desirable lakefront home offers many opportunities for passive income. As a property investor, you can rent out the home during peak season or whenever it is not in use. You can also rent it out for private events like weddings and birthday parties.
Resale value– Waterfront homes are highly desirable. A waterfront property can have good resale value if properly maintained and kept in good condition over the years.
Tips for choosing a lakefront home
With so many choices in Denver, choosing a waterfront home is truly the hard part. Here are some tips to guide the property search:Evaluate your lifestyle and preferences – Do you enjoy water activities? If so, which activities do you enjoy? Or do you simply want to enjoy the view of the lake from your outdoor patio? What kind of features and design elements should your waterfront home have? Additionally, will you be entertaining friends and family from out of town? The answers to these questions will help you choose the kind of waterfront property that matches your lifestyle and preferences.
Think of how often you can visit – If you’re purchasing a waterfront property as a second home, think of how often you can realistically visit and how far it is from your permanent residence. This will help you determine whether or not you’ll be able to make the most of your home purchase. If you will only use the property for a few weeks or months in a year, you can consider renting it out when not in use.
Choose the right location – Real estate is all about location and this saying holds true for waterfront properties. The area surrounding Lake Norman is hardly uniform with varying levels of depth, water access, different home orientations, landscapes, and so on. It is important to choose a part of the shoreline that is conducive to your favorite water-based activities.
Go over the maintenance costs – It’s important to make a calculation of the on-going costs of maintenance before committing to a purchase. It’s no secret that lakefront homes are costly to maintain. There may also be monthly homeowners association (HOA) fees and other expenses related to the community. To minimize the costs of maintenance, it helps to choose a newer property that is in good condition and which has been properly maintained over the years.
Work with a local expert – There’s no substitute for local expertise and professional advice. Whether this is your first or second waterfront purchase, it’s crucial that you work with a real estate agent who specializes in waterfront real estate in the Lake Norman area.
Work with the Christopher Lauren Group when buying Denver, NC waterfront homes for sale
Ready to take the plunge in Denver’s lakefront neighborhoods? Call us, the Christopher Lauren Group, at 704.299.8296 or send us an email. Our husband-and-wife team brings fresh ideas and out-of-the-box thinking to waterfront real estate. Chris and Lauren are both Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists.
Our multi-faceted and customer-focused approach to real estate enables us to assist buyers and sellers in Denver, Sherrills Ford, and other nearby communities. We can’t wait to help you find your dream home in the area.