When considering a Portage Lakes lakefront home don’t let an amazing view cloud your judgement. A professional home inspection is critical prior to finalizing a purchase.

 In the Portage Lakes, many of the houses were originally built as humble summertime homes or cottages, so knowing the quality and condition of construction is of utmost importance.

During the World Wars, the local rubber factories were producing at top capacity and needed laborers to fill jobs. Housing was at a premium and many workers moving into the area began renting some of the Portage Lakes summer cottages to live in year round. Over time, more and more former summer cottages became full time homes.

Today, few properties bear any resemblance to what they looked like when they were first built. Many have been totally torn down and new structures built. Some have gone through a series of remodeling or even what some might refer to as re-muddling. Because of this it is very important to look at the quality of the construction.

In my experience, few lakefront properties remain unchanged once they change hands. I have seen people pay over a quarter million dollars for a property just to tear down the house and build another; others add second floors or build additions. Others may only redo kitchens and baths. For those that intend to tear down and build new, the quality of construction will not be an issue.

If your intent is to remodel, you need to know what you are starting with. A structure originally designed as a summer cottage may not support a second floor. A home inspection should help minimize any surprises.

Watch for my next lakefront criterion posting on "quiet water vs full throttle fun". For more information on the Portage Lakes area, email me at

Tom@TomMcCombs.com or call at 330-644-2413.