Central Texas Lake Information Blog

Unimproved Waterfront: A Great Opportunity

When looking at lake houses for sale many of my clients are able to visualize possible improvements for the house itself, but often get discouraged if the property has unimproved waterfront. However, unimproved waterfront should be viewed as a blank canvas with the opportunity to create the perfect waterfront design for your family’s needs. Maybe it’s for entertaining friends and family, or a place for your children to play, just pure relaxation, or maybe all of the above. So don’t let unimproved waterfront intimidate you it can be done easily and more affordable than you may be thinking.

Another motive for improving your waterfront is most will see 100%, if not more, return on their real estate investment. Reason being that some people would prefer to pay a premium for summer ready waterfront.

Two years ago when we moved into our lake house on Meadow Lake we had unimproved waterfront and contacted Jim Melsha, a well known waterfront professional in the Central Texas area. We had seen other work that he had done and had him come out to our lake house to figure out a plan for our waterfront. After only two weeks of construction our waterfront was 100% ready for our enjoyment. We are so glad we had the opportunity to create a waterfront exactly how we wanted it, and that fits our lifestyle.

Jim Melsha specializes in retaining walls, boat houses, docks, ski lockers, and yes even beaches! I would highly recommend him for your waterfront improvement needs for Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, Meadow Lake, or even Comal or Guadalupe River. You can contact Jim at lakesideconstruct@yahoo.com or (210)391-3189. Please tell him Hunter and Ashley Croan referred you.

Check out the slide show below for before and after pictures of our very own waterfront transformation.

The lakes are back open!!

Effective noon Friday, July 16, 2010

The previous flood related restrictions on all 6 hydro lakes (Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, Meadow Lake, Lake Gonzalez, Lake Wood) will be removed EXCEPT:

No pulling of inflatable’s and water toys, and the prohibition on puling of inflatable’s and water toys is extended through Thursday, September 16, 2010.

Use is limited to NO Wake Speed from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise

NFIP Reauthorized

Today, the President signed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010, H.R. 5569, which Congress passed on June 30, 2010. This now extends the NFIP through September 30, 2010, and is retroactive to cover the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension.

When will the Lake Re-Open???

Due to the recent flood waters the Guadalupe Environmental Health Department (GBRA) has closed the lakes until they can make a clear assessment of the potential hazards underneath the surface of the water. I went to a meeting yesterday at GBRA’s main office in Seguin. The main point of the meeting was to come up with a plan to mark the hazards in the lake so the lakes could be re-opened (hopefully well before the August 1^st estimate). This Saturday Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, & Meadow Lake will be lowered 2-4 feet. At this time volunteers and GBRA representatives will mark (with buoys & GPS locations) and photograph the hazards that are to be removed. I am volunteering to help out on Meadow Lake and Lake Placid. I want to do any and everything in my power to get these lakes re-opened ASAP. I want to thank Jeff S, a friend & previous client of mine, for the use of his John boat.

NFIP is holding up my Lake House closings again..

I have a few waterfront real estate transactions that are scheduled to close in the next few weeks that might be held up. Read the information below from Derrick Bacon with Farmers insurance:

I just wanted to let you know that Congress failed to pass legislation again and as of right now the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can not issue new policies. They are not expected to vote until the 7th and hopefully they will extend the program at that point. Until them we can generate quotes and accept payment, but no policies will be issued or bound until after the extension is approved. I just wanted to make you aware of this because I know you are set to close on the 9th. Talk to you soon. The following is taken from the NFIP site:

NFIP Reauthorization — June 1, 2010 Update

Congress failed to pass legislation required to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) prior to midnight, May 31, 2010. At this time, the NFIP does not have statutory authority which will generally constrain issuance of new policies, renewal offers, and increased coverage limits on existing policies. While online submission of payment via credit card is disabled effective June 1, 2010, all other processing functionality remains accessible. You can still manage your policies & perform most functions online.

The Senate is not expected to vote on this matter until at least June 7, 2010. During the lapse your flood business will be serviced in accordance to the guidelines set by FEMA. The attached document will provide you with additional details regarding the lapse of NFIP authority.

Information will be updated as it’s received.

Derrick B. Bacon, LUTCF
Insurance and Financial Services Agent
9862 Lorene Ste. 104
San Antonio, TX 78216
Office 210-495-1300
Fax 210-298-3130
dbacon@farmersagent.com
www.farmersagent.com/dbacon
“Helping People Understand the Difference
Between Having Insurance, and Being Insured.”

Lake Dunlap back to normal Level for Memorial weekend 2010

GBRA has informed us that they will be raising Lake Dunlap back up to the normal level for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Why I Sell Waterfront Real Estate

As most people know, the majority of what I sell is waterfront / Lake front real estate. I REALLY love what I do. In my eyes, I am not selling my clients a lake house or river property, I am selling them a lifestyle. What kind of lifestyle you ask? See the video below that was filmed a few days ago of me wakeboarding on my home lake (Meadow Lake). FYI – I will be posting a video tour of each lake (Lake McQueeney, Lake Dunlap, Lake Placid, & Meadow Lake) in HIGH Definition within the next few months. Thanks Ian Udell for editing the video!

Click on “480p” for a high quality video

GBRA Changes Lake Dunlap Dam Maintenance

The level of Lake Dunlap will be approximately 18 to 24 inches below normal beginning Sunday, May 9, 2010 so that GBRA hydroelectric crews can perform spillgate maintenance.

The work is expected to be completed by Saturday, May 22, and the lake level will return to its normal level by Monday, May 24. GBRA officials are advising that these scheduled operations may be completed before May 22, or may need to be extended for an additional period of time. Operations may be adjusted or canceled in the event of adverse weather conditions.

GBRA officials advises anyone using Lake Dunlap for recreation purposes during this time to exercise caution because lower lake levels may expose debris and other potential hazards that are normally underwater.

NFIP is back!

Thursday evening, April 15, Congress passed and the President signed into law the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program. The provision reauthorizing the NFIP extends the Program retroactively from February 28, 2010 until May 31, 2010.

Derrick B. Bacon, LUTCF
Insurance and Financial Services Agent
9862 Lorene Ste. 104
San Antonio, TX 78216
Office 210-495-1300
Fax 210-298-3130
dbacon@farmersagent.com
www.farmersagent.com/dbacon

The National Flood Insurance Program

I have been getting quite a few phone calls on the issue of the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In fact this issue is currently holding up one of my closings for a house on Lake Placid. Most lake/river houses require flood insurance to close, especially if there is a lender involved. So if you have a lake/watefront house for sale or looking to buy one on Lake McQueeney, Lake Dunlap, Lake Placid, or Meadow Lake then check back here for the latest info on the status of the NFIP. Since I am not extremely familiar with the all the details, I asked my good friend, Derrick Bacon with farmers Insurance, to explain what is going on. He stated:

As you might know, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expired on March 28, 2010. Efforts to extend the program have been unsuccessful thus far. The reason for the expiration is not due to Congressional opposition to the NFIP, but rather that the NFIP is one program rolled into a much larger bill with many other programs, that have seen opposition based on the cost of extending those programs.

Until NFIP is reinstated, all companies and agents cannot, issue new policies, increase coverage on existing policies, or renew existing policies. The NFIP is still accepting payment, but only in an effort to generate a paper trail. They cannot guarantee effective dates, or issue Declarations pages.

The hope is that there will be a vote to extend the NFIP this week, but there is no guarantee. If a vote happens, and it is in favor of extending the program, the President should have it by next week and everything would be back to normal by the end of next week. If no vote takes place, or if the vote is not in favor of extending the program, the NFIP will remain in this state until a favorable vote takes place.

If you have questions, please let me know. Thank you.