Buying Shoreline Property
on Lake Havasu

by Bobbi Holmes

          Out of town buyers looking for real estate in Lake Havasu City, often ask Realtor Don Holmes about shoreline property, or property with a lake view. Yet, unlike some other recreational lakes in the country, you typically can’t purchase a shorefront home on Lake Havasu, yet there are some exemptions.

Havasu Shoreline Jurisdiction

          When shopping for lake front property, first understand the dynamics of Lake Havasu. Created after the construction of Parker Dam, Lake Havasu’s shoreline touches California, Arizona and Chemehuevi shores. Shoreline along the lake is under a number of different jurisdictions, including the state of Arizona, the federal government and the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation. Shoreline land along Lake Havasu tends to be lease land, governed by one of the previously noted entities.

Havasu Channel

          At one time Lake Havasu City’s Island was a peninsula, yet Robert McCulloch dredged the Channel, to create an Island and a destination for the London Bridge. This created additional shoreline, separate from the Lake’s traditional shoreline. Along this area developers built some condominiums, which could classify as shoreline property.

Chemehuevi Reservation

          The top photograph was taken from the kitchen window of our former home, located on Whipple Bay, six miles south of Lake Havasu City. At one time the mobile home park was located on federal lease land, but when the land was added to the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation the mobile home park fell under the jurisdiction of the sovereign nation, which meant owners of the mobile homes on the site no longer had all of their Constitutional rights in regards to the park.

          You could never purchase the land to build a home on the property, yet you can purchase one of the mobile homes in the park, and pay a monthly rent to the concessionaire. Yet, buyer beware. Both Havasu Landing and Havasu Palms are now located on the Chemehuevi Indian reservation, and we have learned from personal experience that if the concessionaire decides to seize your mobile home, there is nothing you can do about it, even if you faithfully pay your monthly rent and follow the rules.

Havasu Springs

          Another option is purchasing one of the resort properties at Havasu Springs, located on the south end of Lake Havasu. While Havasu Spring is located on lease property, it is not on reservation land, and as such, you retain your Constitutional rights.

Lake View

          While it is difficult to obtain lake front property on Lake Havasu, it is possible to get a lake view. In fact, the lake is visible from most areas of the city. Yet, an unobstructed lake view is not always possible. There is no guarantee some neighbor down the way won’t build a structure or plant a tree that hides your lake view.