Selling Your Lake Lot

Now that the mosquitoes are out in full swing, it is a good time to recognize some of the pitfalls of offering bare property for sale. I was at a couple of lake lots last week...but I wasn't there for long! Even with long clothes on, I was full of bug bites in just a few minutes.

Lots, in general, tend to be less cared for than the land is around a home or cabin that is used on a regular basis. It is much easier to pull the mower out of the shed or garage and knock down most of the tall grass once in awhile when it is already at the property. With bare lots it is an extra hassle to bring the mower or trimmer out to the land to take care of that, and who really wants to go out there anyway?

However, if you are trying to sell your lake lot, you might want to look at it from the buyer's perspective. Every negative aspect they encounter is another reason to not look any further. And just like in house shopping, most buyers have very little imagination when it comes to seeing beyond what is there.

I see many of the same problems when it comes to marketing lake lots. Here are some that I would suggest trying to overcome to make your lot as attractive as possible:

1. Clean Out The Brush - Many lake lots are too grown over and it is difficult for buyers to walk through the land, let alone see what is there. Make it easy for buyers to get from the driveway to the lake - and to be able to walk around down by the water.
2. Get Rid of Dead Trees - Dead trees all over a property are a clear-cut negative that a buyer sees as not only ugly, but also expensive if they have to do the removal. It is best to get them out of there before you offer the property for sale.
3. Get Rid of Downfall - I've been to lots where there are so many trees fallen down it is nearly impossible to get through the land. This is not supposed to be a hunting excursion for these potential buyers; they are looking for a place to build a home. Help them out by not giving them a heart attack climbing over walls of downed trees. Remember that many of these potential buyers tend to be older, and this is not a good way to get them interested in your property.
4. Create Views of the Water - If they can't see the water easily, they probably won't be interested. Most counties and DNR regulations allow you to thin trees within a certain distance back from the water. Take advantage of that to make your property more appealing.
5. Don't Forget the Dock! - One of the most important things you can do - that is hardly ever done - is to place some sort of dock on the property to get buyers out over the water. It doesn't have to be fancy, but by picking up a dock section for a few hundred dollars you might make yourself several thousand with a successful sale. Lake properties are high priced because they are on the lake...don't forget to use as much of that aspect as possible in your presentation.
6. Finally...De-bug All You Can! - Mowing, trimming, spraying, and whatever else you can do to keep the bugs down will make the buyer's time at your property much more pleasant. If they have to run away before they get carried away, they probably won't be returning anytime soon. Your real estate agent's job is to get them to the property; your job is to get them to stay there!