The Most Expensive Lakes in Washington to Buy a Second Home

Washington is among the U.S. states with the most expensive lakes to buy a property, and rightly so—the lakes in Washington define this state’s natural beauty. They have a wide range of features, including clear waters, glacier-carved shorelines, and different terrains surrounding them, adding to the appeal of the homes near them.

Cost aside, buying a lake house can be an excellent real estate investment. You and your family can visit your second home during vacations to enjoy water activities like swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and kayaking. Renting it out for a second income is also a fantastic idea.

Here are some of the most expensive lakes in Washington to buy a second home. 

1. Lake Washington 

Lake Washington is King County’s largest lake. This freshwater lake between Seattle and Bellevue is known for having numerous fish species. As such, if you’re looking for a lakehouse in Washington where you can fish for freshwater fish all year round, Lake Washington is a good choice.  

Lake Washington also has beautiful ponderosa pine and greenery near its shores and the city, adding to its appeal. The popular attractions near the lake, such as Seward Park and East Channel Bridge, make the area around it prime for luxurious lake houses. Also, the fact that it’s close to Seattle makes it a great place to own a lakehouse, especially if you want to access the city easily.

Most property buyers often want to buy luxurious properties along Lake Washington. This high demand is the main reason most properties around the lake are expensive. Even so, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find affordable homes in this area.

House for Sale: This luxurious Leschi lakefront house, perfectly located on the shores of Lake Washington, is one of the best properties any homeowner can dream of owning in this area.  Some of the things that make it stand out include its refined architecture and private courtyard entry. It is spacious, with three bedrooms, four baths, and other living spaces. Additionally, this single-family home has three attached garages, meaning you’ll have ample space to park your vehicles. 

Asking Price: $9,350,000

2. Lake Chelan 

Lake Chelan is one of the largest natural lakes in Washington. This fjord-like lake covers approximately 33,340 acres. It is also relatively deep– its maximum depth is 1486 feet, making it the third deepest freshwater lake in the United States. 

There are many reasons why potential homeowners consider the area around Lake Chelan a great place to buy a home. For starters, if you buy a home in this area, you’ll have a fantastic view of the beautiful lake. You’ll also be surrounded by other fantastic scenery present in the area surrounding the lake. Moreover,  if you are a wine lover, there’s even more reason to buy a second home near Lake Chelan—there are more than 40 wineries in this region. 

But that’s not all; the lake offers a conducive environment to enjoy different water activities. You can also sit at the beach as you soak in the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. 

However, the homes around this area aren’t cheap, especially those near the lake and with a waterfront.

House for Sale: This house, located a short distance from Lake Chelan, is one of the hottest properties in the area. The custom-built has seven bedrooms, two being master and suite, three garages, and an additional 2,666 sq. ft. detached garage for all your machines. You will also have a shared dock. However, this house doesn’t come cheap. 

Asking Price: $4,695,000

3. Lake Crescent 

Lake Crescent is located in Column County. It is the second deepest lake in Washington, second only to Lake Chelan. Lake Crescent is known for its underdeveloped shorelines and clear waters. As such, it is a haven for potential homebuyers looking to own property near the lake—they can enjoy the spectacular scenery and landscape around the lake without being blocked by tall buildings along the shore. 

Besides beauty, another reason that makes lake crescent one of the most expensive lakes in Washington to buy a home is the peaceful environment of this area. As such, it is a great place to buy a second home where you and your loved ones can spend quality time. 

Even so, properties around the lake tend to be expensive. So be ready to spend top dollar.

House for Sale: There are several prime properties in the Lake Crescent area. However, this particular one catches the eye. It has an extensive waterfront. As such, you can enjoy activities like fishing and boating in your backyard. This property is also spacious–it has bedrooms, five bathrooms, a living room, a utility room, and ample parking. The unique finish of this house also makes it an excellent buy for potential homeowners. 

Asking Price: $3,500,000

4. Lake Wenatchee

Lake Wenatchee is another expensive lake to buy a second home in Washington. This lake is located in Wenatchee national forest. It covers over 100 hectares and has a maximum depth of around 74 meters. 

Lake Wenatchee is one of Washington’s iconic natural features. It is surrounded by natural beauty, such as forests and mountains, giving it a breathtaking view. This glacial lake has a shallow lagoon, making it one of the best lakes to swim in. Its depth and long shoreline make it perfect for boating and windsurfing. These attributes and others make Lake Wenatchee a great place to find a prime property.  

You’ll need to dig deep into your pocket to acquire a home in this location, especially if the property you are eyeing is near the lake. If you are on a tight budget, you may have to forego features like a waterfront to get a moderately-priced home.

House for Sale: The area around Lake Wenatchee has differently-priced properties–some are cheap, while others are expensive. However, as mentioned earlier, you’ll need to spend big to acquire the best property in this area. This single-family residence is one such property. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living, and other spaces. This house also has a sizeable waterfront.  

Asking Price: $3,195,000

5. Lake Quinault 

If you want to buy a lakehouse in western Washington, the area around Lake Quinalt is worth exploring. For starters,  the unincorporated nature of this area makes it an excellent place for someone looking for a luxurious house to spend time with their family and friends away from the hustles and bustles of city life. 

The Lake Quinault area also has different types of properties—some of them have waterfronts. If you are lucky to get one with a waterfront, you’ll have the privilege of enjoying water activities like fishing around your home. 

Another reason that makes the area around Lake Quinalt the perfect place to buy a second home is the presence of several recreational facilities. You can easily access pristine parks, sandy beaches, and the Olympic National Park. In addition, the Pacific Ocean’s oceanfront will be a drive away from your home. 

However, just like other real estate located in prime locations, the property around Lake Quinalt is expensive. And while you may get moderately-priced homes, they may be missing some desirable features, such as a waterfront. 

House for Sale: This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a spacious and strategically located home around Lake Quinalt. Located at 793 South Shore Road, this large house in a 5.2-acre plot has three bedrooms, three baths, and four garages, among other spaces.

Asking Price: $589,000

6. Lake Sammamish

Lake Sammamish is another expensive freshwater lake located in King County. Besides the breathtaking scenery, another thing that makes many potential homebuyers want to buy property around the lake is the rapidly growing suburb. And then there’s the wildlife and marine life in and around the lake—lake Sammamish is a migratory habitat for salmon, other fish species, birds, and different wildlife. 

This lake also offers residents of Sammamish a wide range of water activities. Whether you are more of a swimmer, you enjoy water skiing, or boating is your thing, lake Shammashish offers a conducive environment to enjoy your hobby. 

Suppose you want to view the breathtaking scenery and enjoy water activities in Lake Sammamish as a tourist; you won’t need to worry much about the cost of housing. This is because there are numerous establishments where you can find affordable accommodation.

Conversely, buying a second home in Lake Sammamish will require you to spend big. However, you’ll enjoy more benefits in the long run. For instance, you and your family can visit your lake house whenever you want to without worrying about accommodation costs. Also, you can rent your second home whenever you’re not using it to earn extra income. 

House for Sale: Though expensive, this house is one of the best properties to invest in at Lake Sammamish. This magnificent waterfront-facing family home has three bedrooms, a living room, a utility room, and three bathrooms, among other spaces you can use. Additionally, it has five attached garage spaces and an expansive shoreline where a sizable boat can dock. Though you can find a moderately priced home, if you are looking for the best, this one is among them. 

Asking Price: $10,450,000

7. Little Kachess Lake 

Little Kachess Lake might not be one of the largest lakes in Washington, but it is undoubtedly one of the most expensive lakes, and deservedly so. Kachess Lake is unique because its water is divided into a lake and a reservoir. The scenery in and around Lake Kachess is excellent—from the mountains surrounding the lake to the trees around its shoreline to the sandy shores, this lake is a delight. 

Plus, it is not short of activities to do. You can swim in its delightfully cold water in the summer. You can go boat riding in the evening when the wind is steady. And if you fancy fishing, there are plenty of fish in the lake—you should, however, ensure you don’t violate the fishing regulations.

Getting a cheap home in this area can be challenging, given the beauty of the lake. The best homes in this area are often expensive but worth every penny you spend on them. 

Houses for Sale: This four-bedroom house is one of the hottest properties around Lake Kachess. It is spacious, has an excellent finish, and is a strategic location. If you buy this home, you’ll have a waterfront and a property in a serene environment covered by trees. In short, it will be the perfect getaway home. 

Asking Price: $ 2,200,000

8. Lake Whatcom 

Another expensive lake to buy a home is Lake Whatcom. The main thing this lake is famous for is that it provides drinking to the people who reside around it. However, this lake has more to offer. It has calm, clear waters conducive to various water activities, including fishing and kayaking. There are also eight miles of hiking trails at Lake Whatcom Park and another eight long forests on the shore of this lake. So, if you enjoy hiking, you have more than enough ground to cover when visiting your second home. 

However, given this lake’s beauty and several offerings, lake houses around Lake Whatcom tend to be expensive. So potential homeowners looking to buy a home in the Lake Whatcom area should be prepared to pay a significant amount to acquire a good house.

House on Sale: This property is among the best in the Lake Whatcom area. It is spacious—it has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and other living spaces. It also has four attached garages. As such, you have enough space to park your vehicles. The large waterfront and the trees surrounding this single-family house also add to its appeal. It is, however, quite pricey.

Asking Price: $ 4,300,000

9. Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake

Roosevelt Lake is an artificial lake named after former U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt. It covers 320 square kilometers, making it the largest artificial lake in Washington. It also has an expansive shoreline, which is about 603 miles long.

Lake Roosevelt is another expensive lake in Washington to buy a second home. Some factors that contribute to the high property prices in the area include the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings, as well as the fun water activities like fishing, which potential homeowners can enjoy in this vicinity.

House for sale: Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake is among the best markets for lake homes. But the homes in this area are relatively expensive.

One property you should consider buying is this luxurious lakefront property in Evans. It has a great room, six bedrooms, five baths, and other living spaces. Its waterfront is large enough to park a small boat. This property sits on a 7.32-acre piece of land means you have ample space to park your vehicles or for your dog to play if you own one.

Asking Price: $1,700,000

Buying A Lakefront Home In Washington 

Purchasing a home near the lakes in Washington state isn’t cheap but worthwhile. When you are ready to buy your second house in Washington, ensure you conduct extensive research to find one that meets all your preferences. This way, you’ll enjoy it more without thinking of selling it.

Whether it’s the serenity of early morning fishing trips, thrilling water sports, or simply basking in the breathtaking views, owning a lakefront property in Washington promises a lifestyle filled with tranquility and outdoor adventure.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/John Twynam