Because lakefront property is typically worth more, the lot sizes around the lake are typically smaller. It isn’t uncommon for lots to be a half acre or 6/10s of an acre in size. Most people prefer a larger lot to have a little bit of elbow room and have additional space for parking or maybe to build a garage. Lakefront property is also typically sloped, so there might be areas of the lot that would make it difficult to build on.
The most important function that the land provides though is the on-site waste management system. Commonly referred to as a Septic System. The system typically consists of a buried tank and lateral lines that are buried in the ground. We can skip over the biology lesson here and how the septic tank is basically an anaerobic digester, but what is important is how septic systems are rated and installed. When a new system is installed, the size of the tank and the length of the lateral lines is determined by the number of BEDROOMS in a home. NOT the number of bathrooms, but the number of bedrooms.
Most homes at the lake are rated for 2 bedrooms. Even if they have a loft that is being used as a third bedroom. Or rooms with beds in the basement that do not have egress windows that can’t legally be called bedrooms. This typically isn’t an issue since the system has several days to recover after weekend use. But if you plan to live in your property year round, or you know you will regularly host gatherings that could rival small armies, it is something to take into consideration.