Best places to buy a lake house 2021

Family-friendly activities abound at our number one Best Place to Buy a Lake House. Wisconsin Dells, named for the mighty Wisconsin River Dells, is a lakefront vacation destination that truly has something for everyone. Guests can take a very short trip—1.5 miles to be exact—to Rocky Arbor State Park—a wooded paradise of sandstone and pine trees ripe with hiking trails, places to picnic, and playgrounds. But parents, prepare yourselves. Wisconsin Dells is also home to Noah’s Ark Water Park, the largest in the United States (which boasts a whopping 51 slides), and Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park, which features a wooden roller coaster with a 143-foot-drop. What won’t drop? Your cap rate, which sits at about 6.8%.

Featured Vacasa lake home: Lakeside Memories

If you’re seeking a beautiful lakefront destination with a side of mountain views, look no further than Norris Lake. The area’s 809 miles of shoreline and 34,000+ acres of lake surface provide more than enough space for vacationers to sprawl. And while you’re welcome to throw down a towel and relax, outdoor activities are plentiful—including hiking trails, mountain biking paths, and even places to ride horseback. More of a water sports buff? You’re more than covered with the lake’s 21 marinas, where you can put in to boat, fish, water ski, or simply kick back on your pontoon rental. Buying a vacation home on Norris Lake will put you back approximately $340,000, but you can enjoy a healthy rental income of around $43,000.

Featured Vacasa lakefront home: Ned's Norris Nook

Blue Ridge just can’t seem to stay off of our Best Places to Buy lists—and for good reason. It’s a mountain biking paradise with many other outdoor activities to offer and a gorgeous backdrop to boot. Lake Blue Ridge is a haven for paddleboarders and kayakers, but area homeowners have the added benefits of the Ocoee and Toccoa rivers, where vacation rental guests can take to the waters for epic whitewater rafting and tubing adventures. Head into downtown Blue Ridge after a day outdoors to explore the area’s craft breweries, wineries, restaurants, galleries, and upscale boutiques. Given all Blue Ridge has to offer its homeowners and guests, it’s no wonder it has a healthy cap rate of 6.1%.

Featured Vacasa lakefront cabin: Bungalow Blue

While plenty of guests flock to Big Bear in the winter months to hit the slopes at the ski resort, it’s also an incredibly popular destination for those summertime lakebound travelers. The average temperature sits around 78 degrees in the summer months, and when paired with that crisp mountain air, guests can’t get enough as they hit the water to kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or just relax on a rented pontoon boat. For those looking to trek on two wheels, Big Bear is also home to one of the best places for road cycling and mountain biking, with hundreds of miles of trails and a downhill adventure park. Smaller kiddos can enjoy places to explore like the Big Bear Alpine Zoo or the Big Bear Discovery Center. With endless possibilities and a median home price of around $312,000, it’s no wonder why Big Bear comes in at #4 on our list.

Featured Vacasa cabin: The Wilkie Cabin

Waterfront vacation homes are plentiful in Deep Creek Lake, but another truly delightful perk is the restaurants that line the water—complete with docks for boating straight to dinner after a day of water sports like wake surfing, waterskiing, or even tubing. Quieter waters can be found in the lake’s many coves, where you’ll find paddleboarders taking advantage of the morning’s still waters. In the afternoon, expect kids and adults alike going completely gear-free and swimming in the deep blue water. If you happen to catch a summer storm that lasts more than a few minutes, indoor attractions can be found throughout town and are perfect for curious families. Vacation homes in Deep Creek Lake will cost you a bit more at around $439,000, but an average vacation rental income of $51,000 will help offset costs.

Featured Vacasa lakeview condo: Owl's Landing

There are a million activities that make Ellijay so special—from apple picking to tastings at small-batch wineries to leaf peeping in the fall. But before all of those late summer activities kick into high gear, there is one activity that is a time-honored summer Ellijay tradition: tubing, floating, or otherwise bumbling down the water (via lake or river). With several bodies of water lining the area, guests can choose from a variety of settings for each day of their vacation, but Carters Lake is truly something special, with its sparkling waters and rugged Georgia shoreline. Whether you pack your picnic for a lakeside lunch or to take in while cruising on a pontoon, Carters will provide the perfect backdrop for those photo-dump IG posts.

Featured Vacasa home: Cartecay Getaway

Another destination that offers not one, but several bodies of water to be enjoyed is Southwest Colorado’s Pagosa Springs. Lake Pagosa and Echo Lake are most revered for fishing opportunities, while those who may seek a more quiet stroll or hike will find their spot at Williams Creek Reservoir. However, this is Colorado, which means that essentially any outdoor activity is available—from horseback riding to fat biking to disc golf and whitewater rafting. A vacation home in Pagosa will set buyers back approximately $327,000, but with the year-round activity available for guests, you can expect bookings throughout all four seasons.

Featured Vacasa home: Pagosa Glow

The brilliant blue water found at Bear Lake is enough to draw in any lake-loving guest, but fewer know how the water maintains its gorgeous color that earned it the title “The Caribbean of the Rockies.” According to the Bear Lake website, it’s due to the calcium carbonate suspended in the water that keeps the lake a sparkling blue-green hue, making it one of Utah’s (and Idaho’s) major attractions. The marina is open year-round for guests to take to the water for boating, sailing, fishing, and—of course—the area’s famous raspberry shakes, which can be enjoyed on various beaches that surround the lake. The area’s sandy beaches are perfect for sunning while taking in the spectacular views. A home on Bear Lake offers a 4.6% cap rate and the median home cost hovers around $383,000.

Featured Vacasa lakeview home: Marina View at Daisy Bay

With an infusion of guests coming from Seattle and Spokane, Washington (as well as just about every other area of the Pacific Northwest), Chelan sits proudly at number 9 on our Best Places to Buy a Lake House list. While some may expect it to rank higher on our lake-themed list, it’s important to remember we’re looking at cap rate—Chelan’s 4.3% holds steady, as homes run just over $400,000 in this market. Guests travel to Lake Chelan year-round to experience the beauty of the roughly 50-mile lake, surrounded by quintessential small towns, vineyards, and mountains. A major attraction is Chelan’s Evening Farmers Market along the Riverwalk, where locals and guests can pick up just about anything they need to prepare a fresh feast.

Featured Vacasa lakeview home: Wapato Point Paradise Point

Another Colorado playground rounds out our top 10 list. Estes Park, located in the northern part of the state, is home to Lake Estes and some of the best and most varied fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Bait and fly fishermen as well as spincasters can be found lining the lake throughout the prime summer months, though ice fishing is allowed in the winter as well. And for those whose travel companions have four legs, Estes Park has several dog-friendly trails so you can make memories (and take all the photos) with your furry friends. Your Estes Park vacation rental will sit in the neighborhood of $376,000.

Featured Vacasa home: Running Bear in the Rockies #6145