West Michigan Real Estate Blog | Luke Bouman Team

By Luke Bouman | Luke Bouman Real Estate Team | August 2026

Buyers searching the West Michigan lakeshore quickly run into two very different listings that sound similar: waterfront and water view. The price gap between them is substantial, and understanding what you actually get for it is one of the more useful things a lake buyer can learn. RSPS certified.

What Waterfront Actually Means

True waterfront means your property line touches the water, typically with riparian rights and the ability to have a dock. You can walk out your door to your boat. That direct access is what commands the premium, and it is the reason waterfront costs dramatically more than a similar home a few hundred feet back.

What Water View Means

A water view property sees the water but does not touch it. You get the visual, the sunsets, and often the general lake lifestyle, without the dock, the riparian rights, or the direct access. Some water view properties come with deeded access or an association beach, which is genuinely valuable and worth verifying precisely.

The Price Difference

The gap is often large, frequently a multiple rather than a percentage. That gap buys you the dock and the direct access. If you boat regularly, waterfront is what you are actually after and the premium is the price of the lifestyle. If you mainly want the view and the setting, water view delivers most of the emotional appeal at a fraction of the cost.

How to Decide

Be honest about how you will use the water. Buyers who boat frequently need waterfront. Buyers who mostly want the view, the sunsets, and occasional lake access are often far better served by water view with deeded access, and they keep hundreds of thousands of dollars. Verify exactly what access any property conveys before assuming. The Lakeshore's most reviewed real estate team. Call (616) 344-9923.

Related: First Waterfront Home Guide | Beachfront vs Inland Lake | Homes with Private Docks