The median sale price in The Lakes is $440,000 over the last 12 months, with single-family homes at a median of $499,900, according to Homes.com. Lakefront properties on Lake Sahara command significantly more.
Most people are surprised to learn there's a lake with private boat docks just eight miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. The Lakes — a two-square-mile master-planned community along West Sahara Avenue — remains one of the few places in the Valley where you can fish, kayak, or paddle boat from your own backyard.
If you're weighing The Lakes against the other two lake communities in the Valley — Desert Shores in northwest Las Vegas and Lake Las Vegas in Henderson — this guide breaks down what each one costs, what you get, and which type of buyer each community fits best.
A Quick History: How The Lakes Was Built
The Lakes was developed from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s around Lake Sahara, its centerpiece man-made lake. The median year built here is 1987, which tells you most of what you need to know about the housing stock: established homes on mature lots, many with vaulted ceilings, sunken living rooms, and floor plans typical of that era.
That age is also where the opportunity sits. Over the past several years, The Lakes has seen a steady wave of renovation — buyers purchasing well-located 1980s homes and updating them to modern standards, often at a total cost well below what comparable waterfront living costs elsewhere in Las Vegas.
The Lakes Home Prices in 2026
Based on the last 12 months of sales data from Homes.com:
| Metric | The Lakes |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (all homes) | $440,000 |
| Median single-family sale price | $499,900 |
| Median 2-bedroom sale price | $324,900 |
| Median price per square foot | $308 |
| Median list price | $449,250 |
| Home sales (last 12 months) | 82 |
| Months of supply | 4.0 |
Prices are down about 12% year over year, consistent with the broader cooling across the Las Vegas Valley. For buyers, that means negotiating room that didn't exist two or three years ago. For sellers, accurate pricing matters more than ever — homes here are closing around 4% below first list price on average.
The headline number understates the top of this market. Custom lakefront homes on Lake Sahara — with private docks, larger lots, and direct water access — trade well above the neighborhood median and represent the true luxury tier of The Lakes.
Are There New Builds in The Lakes?
No — and that's important to understand. The Lakes is fully built out. What you'll find instead is a strong remodel market: 1980s and 1990s homes taken down to the studs and rebuilt with modern kitchens, open floor plans, and updated outdoor living spaces.
If new construction is a priority, that's exactly where Lake Las Vegas in Henderson enters the conversation — more on that below.
Amenities: Lake Sahara and the Clubhouse
Life in The Lakes centers on Lake Sahara. The lake is stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, and other fish, and residents use it for kayaking, paddle boating, and fishing. Lakefront homes often include private docks.
The community clubhouse doubles as the local boat club — it's the social hub of the neighborhood, hosting community events and managing lake access. The Lakes Association maintains the lake, common areas, and landscaping, which is why the community has held its curb appeal for nearly four decades.
Beyond the water, residents have Lake Sahara South Park with its paved walking trail overlooking the lake, jogging and cycling pathways throughout the community, and the Canyon Gate Country Club next door — 160 acres of fairways and lagoons. The location on West Sahara Avenue puts you about eight miles from the Strip, with quick access to Summerlin's shopping and dining.
Who Buys in The Lakes?
Four buyer profiles show up here again and again. Move-up families want established lots, mature trees, and a central-west location near Summerlin without Summerlin pricing. Renovation buyers and investors target dated homes at $300K–$450K with strong after-repair value. Lakefront buyers seek custom homes on Lake Sahara with docks — a rare product anywhere in the Valley. And long-time Las Vegas residents downsize here for single-story homes in a community they already know.
What unites them: they want water, location, and value in the same purchase — something very few Las Vegas neighborhoods can offer.
The Lakes vs. Desert Shores vs. Lake Las Vegas
| The Lakes | Desert Shores | Lake Las Vegas (Henderson) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | West Las Vegas, Sahara Ave | Northwest Las Vegas | Henderson, east valley |
| Water feature | Lake Sahara | Four man-made lakes | 320-acre private lake, 10 miles of shoreline |
| Median price (2026) | $440,000 sale | ~$408K–$434K | ~$685K–$702K sold; $775K list |
| New construction | None — built out | None — built out | Active, from the $800Ks |
| Era built | Mid-1980s–mid-1990s | Late 1980s–1990s | 1990s–present |
Desert Shores is The Lakes' closest competitor: a similar-era lake community in northwest Las Vegas with four man-made lakes and a swimming lagoon. Pricing runs slightly below The Lakes — Redfin reported a median sale around $434,000 in early 2026, with list prices near $408,000 by spring. Desert Shores offers more lake surface spread across the community; The Lakes offers a more central location closer to the Strip and Summerlin's core.
Lake Las Vegas is a different category entirely. This Henderson resort community is built around a 320-acre private lake with two championship golf courses, Mediterranean-inspired architecture, and guard-gated sub-communities. Median sold prices in 2026 run roughly $685,000–$702,000, and new construction is active — including Tri Pointe's Lakeview Ridge with waterfront homes from the $800Ks. Many homes range from $800,000 to $1.2 million, with waterfront estates above $2 million.
The simple framing: The Lakes delivers waterfront living at the Valley's most accessible price point and most central location. Desert Shores delivers similar value with more lakes but a farther-out address. Lake Las Vegas delivers the full resort lifestyle — golf, marina village, new construction — at a clear price premium in Henderson.
FAQ: The Lakes, Las Vegas
Is The Lakes a good place to buy in Las Vegas?
The Lakes offers established homes, lake access, and a location eight miles west of the Strip at a median sale price of $440,000 — below many comparable west Las Vegas communities. With prices down about 12% year over year, 2026 favors buyers with negotiating leverage.
How much is a lakefront home on Lake Sahara?
Lakefront homes with private docks trade well above the community's $440,000 median, with custom properties reaching seven figures depending on size, lot, and renovation level. Inventory is limited — lakefront listings in The Lakes are infrequent and tend to draw strong interest.
Does The Lakes have an HOA?
Yes. The Lakes Association maintains Lake Sahara, common areas, and landscaping, and the community clubhouse serves as the local boat club. Fees vary by sub-association, so confirm the exact dues for any specific property before writing an offer.
Which is better: The Lakes, Desert Shores, or Lake Las Vegas?
It depends on budget and lifestyle. The Lakes wins on central location and value, Desert Shores on price entry and total lake acreage in northwest Las Vegas, and Lake Las Vegas on resort amenities, golf, and new construction in Henderson — at roughly $250,000+ more at the median.
Can you boat and fish on Lake Sahara?
Yes. Lake Sahara is stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, and other fish, and residents enjoy kayaking, paddle boating, and fishing. Lakefront homeowners often have private dock access, and the clubhouse manages community lake use.
Thinking about buying or selling in The Lakes, Desert Shores, or Lake Las Vegas? Maryam Mohavvelaty specializes in luxury and waterfront properties across Las Vegas and Henderson and can walk you through current comps, lakefront inventory, and new construction options.
Call or text Maryam at 702-504-6939 or visit vegasluxurybymaryam.com
Your trusted REALTOR®, here in Las Vegas and Henderson Maryam Mohavvelaty | Realty ONE Group / ONELUXE 📞 702-504-6939 🌐 vegasluxurybymaryam.com
