As I wrote in my first entry on buying a lakefront home, there are many factors to consider. For me the most important part in finding my next lakefront home was the location of the sun, as in did it have a sunrise or sunset view.

Since I was already living in a lakefront home with a view of the sunset, I had become convinced that I was not a sunset person. The brief display of blazing light at the end of the day was outweighed by all the other things that went with it.

Because the temperature increases with direct sun exposure, a house facing west means the owner has to put up with paint fading and blistering more easily. It also causes furniture fading creating the need for special blinds, shutters, or window curtains. And statistics show that it is more energy efficient to install UV blocking , insulated windows. On top of that, the sunlight reflecting off the water may drive you to install a special patio awning or umbrella in order to be able to sit outside and enjoy your sunset view.

In my new East facing lakefront home, I have found that I am a morning person. I love to get up early, sit out on my deck with my coffee and watch the gentle dawning of the morning sun. And in the evening, I can sit on my now shaded deck and smugly watch my neighbors across the lake draw their blinds & curtains, roll out their outdoor awnings and squint into the sun.

There may be some of you who don't agree with me. I'd be happy to hear from you about why you might prefer the sunset side of the lake.