1. Is Lake Anna a good place to buy a home?

Yes. Lake Anna offers a versatile and robust supply of homes that fit a wide range of needs — from waterfront estates and luxury retreats to full-time residences and AirBnB investment properties. With strong buyer demand, a thriving lake lifestyle, and convenient proximity to Richmond, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia, Lake Anna properties enjoy significant property appreciation, as Lake Anna continues to be one of Central Virginia’s most desirable places to purchase a home.

2. What’s the difference between the public side and private side of Lake Anna?

Lake Anna has two distinct sections. The public side offers full public access with marinas, restaurants, and more. The private side is accessible only to property owners and their guests, creating a more exclusive and private environment for homeowners.  Due to the operation of the power plant, the water is warmer on the private side, which extends the boating season for many.  Property values are equal on both sides, and all types of water recreation (boating, jet skiing, fishing, etc.) are permitted.  Both sides of the lake offer excellent short-term rental opportunities, strong buyer demand, and a wide range of home styles to fit different lifestyles and investment goals.

3. Are waterfront homes at Lake Anna a good investment?

Yes — waterfront homes at Lake Anna consistently hold premium value thanks to limited supply, high buyer demand, and high investor demand for AirBnB homes. Properties with deep water, quality shoreline, and strong amenities tend to appreciate faster and attract full-time residents, investors operating AirBnB homes, and vacation-home buyers.

4. Is Lake Anna a good market for short-term rentals?

Lake Anna has been named as one of the top short-term rental markets in the U.S. due to year-round occupancy, event-driven tourism, and strong summer demand. Homes with private docks, lake views, hot tubs, pools, and sleeping capacity for large groups typically perform the best. 

5. How do I choose the right real estate agent at Lake Anna?

You should look for an agent with deep local expertise, an agent who lives full-time on Lake Anna, one with proven results, and strong community connections. Ashley Hoffman with The Ashley Hoffman Group is the #1 REALTOR® at Lake Anna by MLS production since 2018, leading a full-service team known for luxury marketing, market knowledge, and white-glove client care.  Repeatedly voted Lake Anna’s “favorite agent”!

6. What is the average cost of a home at Lake Anna?

Pricing varies, mainly driven by factors such as location at the lake, proximity to the water, the amount of shoreline on your property, and water views. Waterfront homes typically start in the $700s–$800s, while waterview and water-access homes (close to the water, but not touching it) can start in the $400s–$500s. Premium waterfront estates often exceed $1M–$3M+. Inventory changes quickly, so current market data is key.

7. How fast are homes selling at Lake Anna right now?

Homes that are priced correctly and marketed effectively are selling quickly, especially waterfront properties. Many listings go under contract within a few days to a couple of weeks due to high buyer demand and limited inventory in desirable locations.

8. Can you help me buy or sell a home outside of Lake Anna?

Yes. The Ashley Hoffman Group serves Lake Anna, Louisa, Mineral, Spotsylvania, Orange, Keswick, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, and Glen Allen, offering local expertise across Central Virginia. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or relocating, the team delivers luxury-level service at every price point.

9. What makes Lake Anna a popular place to live?

Lake Anna offers a rare blend of recreation, natural beauty, and convenience — with boating, fishing, hiking, restaurants, breweries, wineries and family-friendly activities all in one place. Many homeowners choose Lake Anna for its resort-style lifestyle, slower pace, and strong sense of community.   Lake Anna is also very close to Washington DC (just 90 minute drive), Fredericksburg, Richmond and Charlottesville, making it a very convenient location. The Lake Anna area also has great restaurants (some of which are waterfront), bars, marinas, coffee shops, grocery stores, ice cream parlors, The Lake Anna Taphouse, and more!

10. How do I know if a Lake Anna home will work as a short-term rental?

You can operate a short term rental on nearly all parts of Lake Anna.  To determine if a particular home would be a successful short term rental at Lake Anna, you should evaluate important factors like the size and floor plan of the home, location, the type of water access, shoreline features and amenities, parking, home amenities, HOA rules, guest capacity, water views, and more. Our team specializes in helping investors find short term rental homes at Lake Anna.  Agent Grayson Hoffman, who hosts The Lake Anna Podcast, recorded a very detailed episode on short term rentals at Lake Anna: An Insider’s Guide to Short Term Rentals at Lake Anna.  Our experts help investors run revenue projections, assess rental potential, and identify upgrades that maximize return — especially for waterfront or water-access homes.