Read to star looking for that perfect lakeside retreat? Have your eye on a gem but hope you don't overlook some critical steps before you sign the contract? Several real estate experts share tips to make your journey smoother and with fewer problems or surprises down the road.

Tim Lovett, Coldwell Banker Burnet (952-470-2525)

• "Location, location, location." Each lake has its own premier locations. Buy what you can afford, understanding that the property is an investment and its value is highly dependent on location.
• What is the property's exposure and orientation to the water? Consider how that affects your view from inside, and factors such as the amount of sunlight entering the cabin or home.
• Take a look at the lot's elevation and the shoreline's condition. If your family includes children or older adults, you may not want them to traverse stairs to the water or dock. Also, have your agent or other knowledgeable person assess the shoreline. Some shorelines need to be riprapped to stop erosion-- more often, west-facing properties.
• Know the lake's traffic patterns. Are boats cutting across close to the property to get to a channel? Is there a public access point a few doors down?
• If you are buying a lake home, learn about the local school system, the travel time to work and shopping, and the mix of families living nearby.
• What typically happens is that buyers eventually find the land, the lot, the location and the exposure more important than the building. "There's a limited amount of lake property available," Lovett said, "and God only made 25 percent of it west facing."

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Terry Metzger, Four Seasons Realty (1-888-324-7565)

• Keep your options open. You may be surprised at what you end up buying compared with what you first thought would interest you.
• Know why you want the property or cabin. If you want to retire someday at a lake home and you are in your 30s today, consider just buying land and holding it until you can build the lake home of your dreams. If you are buying lakeshore for an investment, make sure that all the things about the lake and property would be appealing to a potential buyer.
• Listen to your agent when he or she suggests a different are than you were considering, or a different size body of water. Visit the lake on a Saturday and check out the kinds of activity taking place. Picture your family there.
• Look at the lot from the water. "Many times, I bring my clients out on my boat so they can see what the property looks like from the water," Metzger said. "It is a great way to see the possibilities from a different perspective."
• Don't be afraid to keep asking questions about the lake or the area. There is so much to know when making this type of purchase, and if you intend to keep the property for a long time, you don't want to forget any details.
• Be patient. Many people look at different options before they make a decision. Don't be afraid to get in the car and drive to take a look. Stop in the town nearest the property and check out how it feels and what it offers.

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Nancy Arneson, Edina Realty, Wayzata (952-74-8648)

• Keep in mind your planned use for the lake. Are you "lookers" or will you actively use the lake?
• What type of shoreline do you want? Steep? Level? East or west facing?
• What is the quality of the lake water? The Department of Natural Resources rates water quality as A (best), B, C or D. People who want to swim in the lake should make sure the water is fairly clear. To others, water quality makes little or no difference.
• Depending on intended use, learn if the lake bottom is mucky, sandy or has a drop-off.
• What is the neighborhood like? If you are a parent with young children, you may want to be near neighbors with young children. If you are retired, you may want a more private lot.
• What is the location's proximity to a city? How close do you want to be to a hospital, grocery store, shopping or other amenities?
• What is the area's noise level? Is the lot near a highway with significant truck traffic? Is the lake frequented by people using personal watercraft?
• The least important factor is the quality of the structure. As Arneson said, "You can fix that. The structure is the first thing people look for, but they should be more concerned about things they cannot change, such as the lake bottom."

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Marie Everson, Minnesota Realty, Lake Minnetonka (952-471-0033)

• Know the ordinances that apply to your property. As one example, "hardcover" pertains to the amount of land that can be covered with a home, garage, deck, etc.
• Ask the seller for pictures of the property in other seasons to verify the quality. A sandy beach may be covered with ice the day you visit, and so could weeds on the beach.
• Make sure the property will accommodate the dock you want for your boat. Zoning in some communities prohibits or restricts docks located within a certain distance from a neighbor's property.
• Select an agent who is knowledgeable of a particular lake area to ensure compliance with local ordinances.

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Chad McDonald, Lakehomes.com, Grand Rapids (1-866-327-9889)

• You need to use common sense, of course, but don't wait too long to make an offer when you are interested in a property. This is certainly true in Itasca County's hot real estate market where lake property values have been increasing by 15 to 20+ percent each year. McDonald expects that trend to continue in the near future.
• Pay more attention to your own interest level than to what others think about a particular property-- even, in some cases, when the appraisal comes in under what you offered to pay. The value of a property is what it's worth to you.

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Jim Atkinson, Minnesota Power's ShoreLand Traditions, Duluth (218-343-9119)

• If you don't have knowledge abut local zoning requirements, find someone who does. Find out who deals with zoning and issues permits. Have that person meet you on site and hear your plans. Do you intend to keep the site as is, add on to it, or tear down and rebuild? Zoning ordinances vary by location and can be limiting. For example, the amount of vegetation you can clear within the "shore impact zone" may be restricted.
• If you buy a bare lot and want to develop it, the process is much easier if you star with the septic system, especially if the lot or its usable space is relatively small. "It's a lot less frustrating to start there," Atkinson said.
• Often, people like to purchase a cabin or home that has less than the required setback, offering them closeness to a lake. Being only 40 feet from a lake may be great, but remember that if you later want to add a deck or a mud room, you will be at the mercy of local zoning authorities. You'll need to be willing to spend the time required to attempt to get a variance approved. "Think long and hard about your level of tolerance regarding government control," Atkinson added.

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Margi Raines, Minnetonka Realty (612-804-9807)

• Many city dwellers who want a lake home are entirely surprised by what their dollar buys on a lake. The same amount that could buy a mansion in town may only get you a fixer-upper when it is on a lake. Expect a learning curve.
• Make sure the realtor you work with is knowledgeable about the area and has lakeshore expertise. That goes for people who are selling a lake home, as well as those ready to buy. Realtors not familiar with lake home pricing may underprice it.
• Make sure you know what you are buying. For example, on Lake Minnetonka, some lakeshore is private, but on some lots, the city owns 12 feet from the lake.