The Realities of Building a Forever Home on a Lakefront Property
It’s been a while since I shared a house update, so here it is. Honestly, there’s not much progress to report. The past few weeks (okay, months) have been full of big questions. Is this really the place for us? This state, this town, this lot…our forever home? Do we want to be this far from town? The building envelope feels tight. Wouldn’t it be nice to have more than half an acre? And with construction costs soaring, is this still the right move?
The Signs We Couldn’t Ignore
Then there are the signs:
- Architect delays: He was supposed to start our project at the beginning of the year. However, he squeezed in another house. That project is now taking longer than expected.
- Builder setbacks: We were next in line because the project ahead of us couldn’t secure financing. But then they did, and now we’re bumped back again.
- Permit limbo: Our boat dock permit was submitted last June and still hasn’t been approved.
- Neighborhood concerns: We’ve started to question just how “neighborly” some of our neighbors really are.
- Other quiet signals: There are a few other subtle signs, things we’ve felt but haven’t fully put into words.
Lessons from Our Lakefront Property Journey
We’ve spent a lot of time talking, praying, and walking through open houses. Have you ever wished you could sit down with God over coffee to hash out life and get a little sneak peek at His big plans?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Maybe He’s already shown us, and we just weren’t listening. Maybe we’ve been too focused on controlling the process.
After all that wrestling, we keep coming back to this lake lot. The one that fell into our laps at just the right time and for a price we couldn’t pass up.
And along the way, we’ve realized a few important things.
How God Is Guiding Us Through Big Decisions
Making big decisions like this has required reflection, trust, and a whole lot of patience. Here’s how we’ve been processing it all:
- We put a lot of pressure on this house. We imagined our kids growing up here. We hoped they would bring their own families back one day.
- But if we’re being honest, the longest we’ve lived in a house was five years.
- We like change. We enjoy exploring new places and embracing new adventures.
- Could we stay here forever? Maybe. But planning for forever is tricky. As the saying goes, we make plans, and God laughs.
- A big house also means more cleaning, more upkeep, and more to manage.
- Still, one thing remains true: any house on the lake is a solid investment.
With today’s building prices, even a small downsize can make a huge financial impact. Late last year, we found our dream house plan. We tweaked it. Unintentionally, we made it way too big. Then we circled back to the original, trimming off 400 square feet. At $300 per square foot, that felt like a smart move.
Still, as we’ve continued refining our vision, we moved on to Plan C… and then Plan D. Each version introduced new ideas. We made adjustments as we balanced our wishlist with the reality of what works and what fits. It’s been a bit of a design roller coaster. With each revision, we’re getting closer to something that feels right, both practically and financially, whether we stay for a few years or a lifetime.
What’s Next for Our Dream Home Build
So here we are now: my husband is redrawing the plans to share with the architect when our turn comes. Our builder is gearing up to start his next project soon. And the boat dock permit? Apparently, it’s with the tribes for review.
In the meantime, I’ll keep prepping, collecting ideas, strolling through cabinet shops, flooring stores, and lighting aisles. Remember when my kids made their vision boards at the start of the year? I think it’s time I made some of my own. Because even though we’re in a holding pattern now, when things start moving, it’s going to happen fast. And the more I’ve thought through in advance, the better.
One thing I know for sure: everything unfolds in God’s perfect timing.
