This is a tough question as there are a lot of variables: house, lot, dock, convenience, water location, view, steps, etc. In general, most clients start looking for a newer house, on gradual lot with less than 40 steps, with at least a 1 slip dock, on the side of the lake closest to their permanent home, close to friends/marina/grocery, with a long range view, and yearround water.
If you assume the above, a good rule of thumb is that you can generally find this property for about $125,000 a bedroom. Be sure and read the “Do we all want the same thing?” article as it talks about the challenges of finding this property. If you are interested in renting the property and making income then read the “Can rental income pay for a lake house?”