Across the country, popular lakeside spots are attracting homebuyers ready to invest, and the price tag might surprise you.
Travel + Leisure just came out with its list of the best places to buy a lake house in the U.S. right now. Building off these selections, Realtor.com® decided to dig a little deeper into what these areas have to offer, how the pricing stacks up, and if your vacation (or year-round) home might be waiting for you in one of these lakeside escapes.
1. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Median list price in May: $331,950 in Camden County; $399,900 in Miller County
Located in Camden and Miller counties, the Lake of the Ozark region has been known as the Midwest’s premier lake resort destination for decades. In fact, the forecast for the Lake of the Ozarks is 100% “Funshine,” according to the area’s tourism website. There are good times to be had with fishing, boating, hiking, waterparks, special events, and more year-round at this water-adjacent area only a few hours from bigger hubs like Kansas City and St. Louis.
While lakefront property might run more than the median price range in Camden and Miller counties, it’s still considered an affordable area right now. However, projections see prices going up in the next five years.
2. Southwest Lake Erie Region, Michigan and Ohio
Median list price in May: $320,0000 in Monroe County, MI; $335,000 in Erie County, OH
As the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes and with borders in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario, Canada, Lake Erie offers many areas right on the water.
People looking to enjoy lake living while not breaking the bank would do well to explore the southwest Lake Erie area, which borders both Michigan and Ohio.
One good section in which to start your search might include Sandusky, OH, which is also near the famed Cedar Point amusement park. Other popular destinations in the Lake Erie region include Monroe, MI, Vermilion, OH, and Port Clinton, OH.
3. Lake Norman, North Carolina
Median list price in May: $370,000 in Catawba County; $475,000 in Iredell County; $485,000 in Mecklenberg County; $515,000 in Lincoln County
Lake Norman, the largest lake in North Carolina, is a human-made freshwater lake spanning 32,000 acres and bordering four counties: Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenberg. In other words, there are ample opportunities to score lakefront properties here in an area with a more temperate year-round temperature (making it ideal for vacation or full-time living).
Mooresville, NC, and Cornelius, NC, are hot spots to check out owing to their proximity to the bustling city of Charlotte, NC (if you’re looking for the best of both worlds).
4. Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Median list price in May: $640,000 in Washoe County, NV; $749,900 in Placer County, CA; $755,000 in El Dorado County, CA; $937,250 in Douglas County, NV
Lake Tahoe is probably the most recognized lake town on this list, and since it straddles both California and Nevada, it’s also known for both its beaches and its ski resorts. The main counties to look for property here include Washoe and Placer in Nevada, and El Dorado and Douglas in California.
“Lake Tahoe offers all sorts of activities from enjoying the water to skiing, hiking, biking, golf, and if you want more hustle and bustle, you can go to South Lake Tahoe for casinos, nightlife, and entertainment,” says Cara Ameer, an agent with Coldwell Banker who is licensed in California and Florida.
5. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Median list price in May: $495,000 in Walworth County
Home prices here can run the gamut from the low six figures to $7,000,000, but everyone living here can enjoy Lake Geneva just the same. It’s easily accessible and offers an array of activities for couples and families.
“From horseback riding and luxury spas to a drive-through safari and sandy beaches, investment properties attract great profits during the spring, summer, and fall,” says Dana Stuedemann, a licensed real estate broker in the Midwest with Chismarick Realty.
“Whether a rustic fixer-upper or a turnkey condo, there are opportunities under $300,000 for investors, city-dwellers looking for weekend escapes, and anyone wanting to downsize or retire here,” says Stuedemann.
6. The Finger Lakes, New York
Median list price in May: $251,950 in Seneca County; $429,000 in Yates County
There are 11 lakes in the Finger Lakes region, crossing 14 counties and 9,000 square miles. So, if you’re vacation home shopping in this area, you’ll have to do some research to see which area fits you best.
Though there are undoubtedly some very pricey homes in the Finger Lakes, there are also deals to be found. (These deals might not last long as people are starting to discover this area.)
Some towns to check out include those surrounding Keuka Lake (if you like water sports) and Seneca Lake (if charming small towns are your thing).
7. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Median list price in May: $595,000 in Carroll County; $695,000 in Belknap County
Lake Winnipesaukee, called “Lake Winni” by those in the know, is the largest lake in the state of New Hampshire. Located in the foothills of the White Mountains, it’s ringed with small public beaches that are perfect for summer sunning. But it’s also a favorite winter destination thanks to all the fun cold-weather activities in the area (think ice skating, skiing, snowmobiling, and even ice fishing). As such, it’s also a great place to get a vacation home you can rent out, as demand is usually high.
Though most waterfront properties aren’t cheap, Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond (a vacation rental company), told Travel + Leisure that people in the area can bring in around $50,000 a year in rentals (which could help make things more affordable).
8. Winter Park, Florida
Median list price in May: $444,850 in Orange County
Most people imagine a beach when they think of Florida. But for those who want to avoid the chaos (and sand), lakefront living in Winter Park, FL, offers a quieter option.
“Unlike Orlando that has sprawl, traffic, a lot of chain restaurants, shopping, and of course Disney World, Winter Park has a small-town feel and is quaint, cute, charming, and historic,” Ameer tells Realtor.com. “It has parks, golf courses, and is home to this amazing chain of large lakes—not what you would expect to see in Central Florida.”
The six lakes in the area are also connected by canals, with boats traversing the area to give tours and point out the homes of notable residents over the years.
“If you don’t like cookie-cutter, tract subdivisions, Winter Park is definitely a town you should consider,” says Ameer.
9. Saranac Lake, New York
Median list price in May: $223,000 in Franklin County; $379,000 in Essex County
The Saranac Lake area spans two counties (Franklin and Essex), and thanks to its close proximity to the Adirondacks, it offers lots of outdoor activity options, including boating, hiking, and mountain biking.
Properties there are still a good deal at the moment, making this an area to check out if you’re looking for an upstate escape. (It’s about 60 miles from Canada.)
10. Lake Havasu, Arizona
Median list price in May: $420,000 in Mohave County
Built on a wide expanse of the Colorado River, Lake Havasu is a reservoir below the Hoover Dam that features 60 miles of waterways and 400 miles of coastline. While it offers plenty of “beach” and water sports galore, Lake Havasu also has the “London Bridge” (quite literally, they brought it in from London in the 1970s and rebuilt it over the Colorado River). It also has 27 lighthouses along the shore.
Realtor.com
JUNE 14, 2025
