If you have a lake home, then you know summer is the season for all things fun. While summer fun seems like forever away, there are still tasks you can complete to make sure your property is ready for all the festivities. Whether you're planning a waterfront cookout or simply looking forward to watching the waves from your porch, it's a good idea to start preparing your home early. Our real estate agents are excited to offer a few tips and recommendations to make your lake house beautiful, safe, and secure.

• Check for Storm Damage
  The wind and rain on the lakefront can be pretty hard on homes. Missing gutters, loose siding, and damaged window frames are all quite common on lakefront homes, especially after the winter season. Now is the perfect time to give your home a once-over and note any damage. Then, make plans for necessary repairs to minimize the amount of water damage that occurs in the coming weeks.
  
  
• Trim the Landscaping
  If you have any overgrown bushes, long grass, or trees with damaged limbs, it's time to do some trimming. You can mow overgrown grass on a dry day in early spring, which will set your grass up for better health once the weather warms up.
  
  Give bushes a good trim as early as possible; you want to trim them before they develop fresh, spring growth. Remove any branches that were broken due to ice or wind. When it comes to trees, you're usually best off calling a tree trimming professional. They have the equipment and knowledge to safely taller and fragile trees.
  
  
• Set Up Your Pier
  You may not be ready to go boating just yet, but it's not too early to get your pier set up. If it has been in storage for the winter, make plans to haul it back to your property. Look it over carefully before putting it back into the water. Piers and docks are a lot easier to repair when they're on dry land!
  
  
• Organize the Garage and Indoor/Outdoor Spaces
  When you live on the lake, garages, mud rooms, and other indoor/outdoor spaces tend to see a lot of traffic. Spend a day or two organizing these areas. Get rid of clutter, and consider adding some new decorations or furniture to make the spaces more usable. Some homeowners love setting up lockers or trunks in their mud rooms for easy storage of waterfront gear such as beach chairs, life vests, and so forth.
  
  
• Stock the Pantry
  Make a list of snacks you tend to enjoy while relaxing on the lake. Stock up on any that are non-perishable or will last through the summer. Consider buying some extra bottled beverages, too. It's nice to already have these supplies on hand when guests drop by or when you make a surprise weekend visit to the lakehouse.
  
  
• Clean Up the Shoreline
  If you own or have agreed to maintain the shoreline in front of your home, spend a little time cleaning it up before summer arrives. Pick up trash, rake sticks into a pile, and consider moving any large or sharp rocks that may get in the way when people walk along the lake. Sometimes, neighbors' toys and chairs will blow onto your property during the winter. If you find any such items, contact the neighbors and try to find out who they belong to. Hopefully the neighbors do the same for you!

Living on the lake can feel like a dream come true. However, lake homes do require a lot of care and maintenance, especially when summer is approaching. Follow the tips above, and don't hesitate to contact us if you're thinking of selling or buying a new lakefront property.