www.iFourWinns.com

Trying to decide if we should go for a country property with some acerage and a nice pole shed to fit the boat into or we found a nice home with 100' of frontage on a larger channel leading out to the lake. Has a permenant dock and boat lift!! This would be a dream to keep the boat right out the back door ready to go at any time, but you guessed it, she costs about $30K more than a nice house on 6 acres with pole shed. I am so confused. I am kinda leaning towards the channel property, but wife doesn't want to spend that much. Only thing on my side is our kids daycare is mych closer to this house. We will see what happens.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

I wish I had to make such a hard decision! Seems like you'd have to weigh how much longer the kids will be in day care against which place you'll be happier living in for the long haul, and possibly what kind of taxes & upkeep you might have on 6 unproductive (financially) acres. Nice problem to have, though.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

There is most certainly something to be said for having a few acres, a shed etc... One of those things to be said is MORE WORK...more lawncare etc...

I have a lakefront home in a quiet cove on Lake Lewisville. We are not allowed to have a dock at our house due to Corp of Engineers rules. With that said, I still absolutely love it. Laying in my bed with the blinds open and looking at the water is priceless. When my friends want to go to the bar to hang out on the patio and look at the lake...all I have to do is go home. As an aside, there is a different culture of people that live lakefront (referring to neighbors). Probably much like having a boat kept in a slip at a marina....its a whole different lifestyle.

So....my vote....go for the waterfront home.

My house is the one in the middle:


And, a view from the house to the water:


Our boat tied to our home made moorings behind our house:

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Get the waterfront property. 30k more in the grand scheme of things is not that big of a differnece. Plus, being a buyers market, you might be able to get it down 15-20k too. IMO, this is a no brainer

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'99 Horizon 200

Go for the water property, If the picture comes through this is what we see from our living room.

9ball

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2005 V268

I love the water views you guys have, but this is only a channel property. Can't really afford a house on the lake here unless we want a dump! On the other hand witht he channel still a spot to park our boat and not have to worry about any weather throwing it around.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Who cares if its channel property? Its a house that works for you and has the ammenities you need. At least you have a little dock there....I cant even get one.

GO FOR IT!

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Have to talk wife into it. Kinda out of our way for kids daycare right now.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Look at it this way. $30k will add to your house payment about $150 per month. What would a slip cost? Here it's about $3k per year, or $250 per month. So, you are ahead there. Then, consider the resale value. On the water is always worth a premium, and could make it sell faster when the day comes. Lastly, the $150 per month is mostly tax deductible.

Go for the waterfront.

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2008 Four Winns F224
5.0 Volvo Penta
Towing with Audi Q7 4.2 V8

I have to say go for the lake property. Coming home from a rough day at work and hopping in the boat for a sunset cruise any night of the week is priceless! I grew up in the country and thats really nice too, but 6 acres to me translates to 6 acres of work! One of our biggest problems in the summer is finding a neighborhood kid to cut the grass for us so we can go boating...it's harder than you might think these days! IMHO.. it might be time to put your negotiating hat on and talk that 30k down so you can get your dream home on the channel!There will never be a better time than now...at least lets hope not. Good luck

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I live on a lake and keep my vista in my back yard. There is nothing like owning waterfront property
that you can keep your boat on. Basically your back yard becomes your solice like supermans fortress
of solitude. It gives me reason to commute to NJ every week from mass. There also comes the piece of
mind knowing that you can see your boat from your house vs being at a marina a ways away.
Some food for thought.

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

In my world, waterfront property that has a dock/slip on it to Lake Washington/Seattle area is over $1 million to start... If you can swing it, do it.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Water frontage........period
Lets be honest if you are asking the people on this forum for an unbiased opinion, well......I think most of us are boating orientated.
If your looking for spiritual advice Psalm 23 He makes me lie down beside quiet waters...........
Dont know if this reply has helped but a nice problem to have

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

It is a fun problem. Waiting to hear from bank on the money. Payment wise I know we can afford either, but just a matter if the bank will borrow it to us. I will update when I have more news.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Good luck!!!

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4