Lakefront Bargain Hunt

Sisters Gretchen and Natalie live with their families a couple of miles apart in San Diego, California. Despite residing in the same city, it can be hard to find time to spend time together, so they're craving a cabin to cozy up in on Big Bear Lake. Located just two and a half hours away, the area is a year-round recreational paradise, providing a unique mountain resort experience fit for the whole family. With the help of local real estate agent, Joe Kovich, these two families will search for a home with the bare necessities for under $350,000.

A couple wants to find a weekend getaway on Canyon Lake in Texas, where they can balance their busy lives with fun times on the water.

Shawn introduced Danielle to the stunning shores of Sebago Lake, Maine, during a camping trip back when they first met. After getting married and having two children, Skylar and Kobe, the family has continued to enjoy the area for several years. But between lugging gear and trailering their boat back and forth, they find a lot of their valuable vacation time being wasted. So after a long period of careful planning and saving, they've decided the purchase of a lake house would be the best way to maximize their visits to Sebago. Shawn and Danielle are hoping local real estate agent, Carol Kilburn, can find them an impeccable property on the water for $300,000 or less.

Gates and Rene are from Dexter, New York and have three kids. They love sailing and they keep their boat at the yacht club in Chaumont, New York. After years of commuting back and forth, they are ready to move right on the water in Chaumont. With the help of real estate agent, Amanda Miller, they hope to find the perfect waterfront home on Lake Ontario for only $250,000.

Terry and Kathy are from Cohasset, Minnesota, and have two children, Tyler and Nicole. They currently live near a lake but it's becoming less and less conducive to the outdoor recreations they enjoy. Tyler and Nicole will also soon be off to college so Terry and Kathy would like to 'right size' with a new, smaller, lake home. For years the family spent time visiting friends on nearby Pokegama Lake and they all fell in love with the area and its rustic amenities. Now, Terry and Kathy want a home on Pokegama of their own, a place where they can walk out the backdoor, jump in their boat, and head out onto the lake. Concerned they wont be able to find a place under their budget of $375,000, they've enlisted local real estate agent, Cindy DeGrio, to help with their search.

Mike and Sara currently live in Celebration, Florida, but they both grew up in the Midwest spending summers on the lake. Now that they have a son, Dexter, they want to create those same memories for him by purchasing a rustic retreat in Frostproof, Florida. With the help of real estate agent, Karen LaMantia, they hope to find the perfect lakefront home for only $375,000.

Dan and Staci are from Reno, Nevada and they both spent their summers growing up on Lake Almanor in California. Now, they have two kids, Paige and Levi, and want them to grow up on the lake just like they did. With the help of real estate agent, Joe Gilmour, they hope to find the perfect lakeside home on Lake Almanor for only $360,000.

Scott and Gina are from western New Hampshire and have been married for 15 years. Growing up they each spent time vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee and developed a strong connection with the area's quaint old New England atmosphere. After years of renting, or crashing with friends, they've finally decided to take the plunge and find a lake house of their own. A property that will provide the space and convenience they need to gain optimal enjoyment with every visit. Worried they might not be able to find a place within their budget of $375,000, Scott and Gina have hired local real estate agent, Kevin Shaw, to help scour the shores for the perfect home.

Since moving from San Francisco to Brooklyn, Nick and James, longing for a rustic escape, stumble upon Upstate New York's Copake Lake in the Hudson Valley.

Dayna and Dave want to move to Lake Waynoka, Ohio, where they have been visiting together for over 15 years.

A family of three searches for a home in Lake Gaston, N.C., with a spot for their boat and space to relax within their budget of $375,000.

Andy and Marni search for a lakefront home in Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.