Under-the-radar Anna, the third largest lake in Virginia, is the number one place in the country to buy a second home, according to vacation rental management company Vacasa.
- Vacasa ranks cities based on their ROI, or return on investment. In Lake Anna, the median sales price was $435,000 and the average annual gross rental income over the last 12 months was $81,293.
- That’s a 12% ROI.
Why is it important? A vacation community just two hours away and packed less than a rival D.C. lake town, Deep Creek, Maryland.
Details: Lake Anna has two sides – one is hot because the Dominion Energy plants heat the water. Just yesterday the lake temperature reached 87 degrees.
- But the warm side is strictly residential.
- On the plus side, it allows businesses, so visitors can rent a boat and dine easily.
Minimize: Vacasa analyzed real estate data for properties with at least 50 units managed by Vacasa and at least 250 units managed by others.
- Two OBX cities made the top 25 list. The Corolla (#4) has an average sales price of $930,000 and can bring in $131,121 in annual rental income.
- In Nags Head (#17), you’re looking at a median price tag of $887,000 and a rental income of $85,734.
Our thought bubble: If you can’t swing buying a home in D.C. — the median home sale price in July was $725,000 — but can afford to rent here and buy elsewhere, Lake Anna is a challenge.
What can you get for less than $500k? Here are three homes for sale, all with boat slip access and within walking distance to the lake.
31 Trevor Run, Miner | $499,950 | 3 bed, 2 bath | 1,627 square feet
- It sits on over an acre on the cool side of the lake. Check out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
536 Paddock Lane, Louisa | $469,900 | 3 bed, 3 bath 2,449 square feet
- On the cold side of the lake. Love the open living space and multi-story.
74 Eveland Drive, Bampas | $499,900 | 3 bed, 2.5 bath 1,928 square feet
- On the warm side of the lake. ✔️ Screened on the balcony.
