Here are 5 N.J. lakefront homes that you can buy before summer ends

Lakefront living has its allure. Boating, fishing, swimming — and don’t forget the sunsets.

For those shopping for the ultimate backyard accessory in New Jersey — a lake — there are quite a few homes to choose from. Realtor.com has 157 current listings in New Jersey that contain the word “lakefront.”

And they’re not just for the wealthy. Many are priced below or around the state’s median single family home price of $510,000. But others go up into the millions.

New Jersey has about 1,900 bodies of water that the Department of Environmental Protection classifies as lakes — they’re non-flowing, have at least 5 acres of surface area and are a minimum of 1 meter deep. But there are far fewer that you can live on.

Among the most well known are Lake Hopatcong, Lake Mohawk and Greenwood Lake but there are dozens of others throughout the state that are doted with homes.

The New Jersey Coalition of Lake Associations has about 47 members, but it’s unclear how many lake associations there are total in New Jersey.

This type of living often appeals to people who enjoy the outdoors.

“There’s the serenity of looking out and looking at Mother Nature,” said Joseph Venello of American Dream Realty in South Jersey, who has a listing in Laytons Lake, a community of a few dozen homes in Carney’s Point. “The changing of seasons on the lake is beautiful.”

Years ago, many of the lake homes across the state were seasonal but now most are full time residences.

“People have been coming to Lake Hopatcong for 100 years,” said Chris Edwards, of Re/Max Town & Valley, who specializes in Lake Hopatcong. “It was like the Hamptons is today.”

Some lake communities require home owner’s association fees. And the difference between being on the lake and near the lake can change the price of a home considerably.

But the amount of value being lakefront generally adds to a home is impossible to put a number on.

“It is very subjective,” said Jason Ichinco of JDI Appraisal Services in Pequannock. “It’s almost like saying how much is a car worth.”

Each lake community is unique. “Some add a tremendous about of value and some will add a marginal amount of money,” he said.

Here are 5 N.J. lakefront homes that are currently for sale:

1. 32 Laytons Lake Drive, Carney’s Point — $394,900

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits on a half acre and with more than 150 feet of lake frontage. Electric boats, fishing, kayaking and canoeing are permitted.

2. 11 Manor Drive, Jefferson Township — $439,900

This four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom ranch has an open floor plan, a two tier deck and a screened in porch to view Lake Swannanoa, where you can boat, fish and swim. It comes with a new septic and an $850 annual homeowner’s association fee.

3. 166 Pine Tree Road, Bloomingdale — $530,000

A four-bedroom, one-bathroom home in one of the best locations on Glen Wild Lake. It has open concept living and dining rooms with a full view of the lake, boathouse and covered deck, a stone fireplace. But it’s a summer home only — it has no heat or insulation. The home has a $1,395 annual home owner’s association fee.

4. 2 Oneida Ave., Hopatcong — $899,000

This four-bedroom, five- bathroom home built in 1999 is located on a cove in Lake Hopatcong where the speed limit for watercraft is 5 miles per hour, keeping it peaceful even on busy summer weekends. There are also two master suites that open to decks.

5. 703 West Shore Trail, Sparta — $1,750,000

This four-bedroom, four-bathroom home, built in 1930, on Lake Mohawk, is completely renovated but still has the original Crane fireplace and lake-style feel. Homeowner’s association fees are $1,500 annually.

Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? What are you experiencing? Let us know.

More Coverage:

Please subscribe now and support the local news and features you rely on and trust.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.