Waterfront Homes on Lake Norman
Want to live on Lake Norman? You can search all Lake Norman Waterfront Homes here. I specialize in helping home buyers find waterfront property on Lake Norman, as well as homes near the lake. (Click here for if you are looking for Waterview Condos.)
Lake Norman is the number one lakefront home market in the entire southeast. The lake is large, deep, clean, and offers wonderful recreational opportunities. It is conveniently located just north of the beautiful city of Charlotte and Charlotte Douglas International airport. It is a rare and ideal set up.
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Click below on "Waterfront Homes" to see all homes currently available that are self-described "Lake Norman waterfront." Be aware that some listing agents use the term "waterfront" pretty liberally. If a property looks "too good to be true" -- ask me -- I'll tell you if it is.
Use the Advanced Search to specify additional criteria. Need a home with Master on the Main Level? A minimum lot size? 3-car garage? Try the Advanced Search, Save your custom Search, and Save your Favorite properties.
How Much Does it Cost to Live on the Lake?
Like everywhere else on this planet, direct access to a beautiful lake comes at a premium price. Even with over 520 miles of shoreline, there is a limited amount of true waterfront property available on Lake Norman and always a strong demand. Of course, that also makes waterfront property one of the safest investments available in any economy.
An "average" newer home that you might be able to buy for $350,000 if located a mile from Lake Norman, will probably cost you $700,000 to $1,000,000 if located on the lake with a private dock and water views. Price varies greatly by location and view. The closer the home is to shopping, services, and sought-after schools, the higher the price.
With true waterfront property, the value is determined more by the subjective factors such as view and location, than by the size or age of the home. The value of the lot itself is sometimes greater than the value of the house. Water depth at the dock, size and levelness of the lot, neighborhood amenities, proximity to employment and services, the look of the neighbors' homes, and the direction the home faces will all factor into the value.
Just to give you some idea:
The "average" waterfront stick-built home (not mobile/modular) with a dock/pier on Lake Norman sold in 2018 south of the State Park was: a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 4730 square foot home, built it 1995, and sold for $1,247,954.
Another Option...
If having true waterfront property with a private dock is not in your budget, you might consider looking for a home that comes with a Deeded Boat Slip. There are some communities around Lake Norman that have groups of community managed boat slips. Also called wet slips, boats can stay in the water in their slips (or on a boat lift) and available to use all year. Often boat slips will be assigned to a particular home and exclusive rights to use it transfer by deed with the sale of the property. An assigned slip might be within walking distance of the home or located a short drive away in a common area. Rules vary by community, but there is typically an annual fee charged for the maintenance of the boat slips and piers in the range of $300 - $600. "Boat Slip" homes are highly sought after. Having a deeded boat slip attached to a property deed will usually add $25,000 - $50,000 to the price and value of the property depending on location.
Of course you don't have to live on the lake or have a deeded boat slip to be able to enjoy the lake. There are marinas and public boat launches all around the lake convenient to all types of neighborhoods.
Want to Build on the Water?
There is a very limited supply of vacant waterfront and boat slip lots available on Lake Norman. If you are considering buying a lot and building your dream home, contact me for assistance. I will help you find the lot that will work for you and make sure you don't end up with a lot that cannot be built on, or that will not be allowed to have a dock. Location, view and size will be the biggest factors in lot prices. For a decent buildable, semi-level vacant lot on the main body of Lake Norman permitted to have a dock, expect to pay something in the range of $350,000 - $600,000. Lots priced much under that are likely to have some serious negative issues. Lots under $400,000 are often in shallow/narrow coves with limited views or that need to be dredged. Some coves are environmentally protected areas where piers will not be permitted. There are some lots on Lake Norman valued at well over $1 Million. Lots (and homes) will be slightly less expensive farther up the Catawba River, north of the Highway 150 bridge, in Mooresville, Troutman and Statesville. Lots in that area are also often quite steep. It is always less expensive to buy existing waterfront property, even if it needs updating, than to buy a lot and build. Older homes on the lake are often sold and torn down to build a bigger, newer home. We are now seeing "tear-downs" selling in the $500,000 - $800,000 range.
