Door County Real Estate: Waterfront Homes for Sale in Door County, Wisconsin.
How do you choose where to buy your waterfront home or condominium in Door County?
On a peninsula surrounded by water, waterfront homes and condominiums are our most often-requested real estate for purchase. However, the prices for these properties can differ very drastically depending on a number of conditions that impact the Door County real estate market. How do you choose where to purchase your Door County waterfront home or condominium?
1. Lake versus Bay The two different sides of the Peninsula are very different. Lake Michigan does not freeze in the winter, and the Lake side is cooler than the western Bay side. The population on the lake side of the Peninsula is also less than the Bay side. As such, it is referred to as "the quiet side".
The main draw of the Bay side are the spectacular sunsets to the west over Green Bay, as well as warmer water and often calmer boating conditions.
Lakefront properties are more affordable in this area than Bay side properties. Right now, there are some well-priced lake front homes in the $300,000 range. Realistically, if you cannot afford to spend $500,000 to one million plus, it's difficult to find a home on the Bay side, unless it nees some serious work.
Lakefront condominiums are also far more affordable than the ones along Green Bay, but they are in limited supply. You can expect to pay $200,000 to $350,000 for a lakefront condominium in Door County.
2. Inland Lakes. Northern Door County has three inland lakes, Europe Lake, Kangaroo Lake, and Clark Lake, that are EXTREMELY popular real estate locations. At the time of this writing, there are no existing homes for sale on Europe Lake, but I do have one listed with deeded shore front access. Kangaroo Lake homes tend to run from $400,000 to $800,000 depending on what side of the lake you are located on (east side has sunsets, western side has sunrises). Clark Lake homes vary. You can get a small cottage on Clark Lake (they are generally seasonal and need work) for $200,000 to $300,000 when they come on market. The upper end homes on Clark Lake with extensive shore can sell for $700,000 to $800,000. As of this writing, there are listings available on both Clark Lake and Kangaroo Lake.
3. What can you afford? Do your research and work with an experienced broker on a shorefront purchase. Not only will he/she allow you to purchase with the most "bang for your buck", but they will also be knowledgeable in shore land zoning, Department of Natural Resources law and also any local ordinances. You don't want to be in the middle of a contract and suddenly discover that your dream home is closer than 75 feet to the water and won't be able to be expanded to include the fourth bedroom you need. You don't want to work on limbing trees near the water without an experienced forester to know DNR codes. Add in wetlands and floodplains, variances and other issues and you'll be SURE to want to work with a broker who is experienced in waterfront properties.
I've sold dozens of waterfront homes and condominiums in Door County, from southern Door to the tip of the Peninsula in Gills Rock. If you are looking for a waterfront home or condominium in Door County, contact me. We'll explore the Peninsula together and find just what you're looking for and can afford. I'm working with dozens of people waiting for just the right Clark Lake property, or Bay Shore Drive property, to come on the market. When your home (in your price point and location) comes on the market, I'll contact you immediately.
Door County Real Estate: Waterfront Homes and Condominiums
for Sale in Door County, Wisconsin
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