Friday evening on the Islamabad Expressway has its own rhythm: brake lights, horns, and a quiet plan to get out of the city for two days. Plenty of families in Islamabad and Rawalpindi act on that plan by buying a weekend home. Whether it also holds up as an investment deserves an honest answer, not a sales pitch.
Is a weekend home near Islamabad a good long-term investment?
It can be, with conditions. Land can hold value over long periods, though not in every market cycle, and you get to enjoy the property while you wait. But a weekend home is illiquid. Selling can take months, upkeep continues whether or not you visit, and nobody can promise that prices will rise. Think of it as half lifestyle purchase, half land holding. If the lifestyle half pays off every month, the investment half only has to avoid disappointing you.
What makes a weekend home worth holding
You actually use it
A home you visit most weekends pays you back in ways a rented-out flat never will. Space matters here. Farmhouse units of 2, 4 or 8 kanal, the sizes offered at Lakeshore Farms, give children room to run and adults room to ignore each other.
Land is finite
Larger plots outside the city are harder to replace than another apartment in a tower. That scarcity can support value, and Khanpur Dam already draws day-trippers from the twin cities. It never guarantees a gain, and a remote or poorly serviced plot can sit unsold for years.
The risks to price in before you commit
- Access. Published sources put Khanpur Dam roughly 40 to 50 km from Islamabad, and drive times shift with route and traffic. Do the Friday-evening drive once before you pay a rupee.
- Resale. Weekend homes attract fewer buyers than city houses. Plan to hold for years.
- Water and environment. Local news has reported low Khanpur reservoir levels during dry spells. Visit in more than one season and ask how water reaches your plot.
- Upkeep and security. An empty house still needs a caretaker, boundary care, and utility bills. Budget for them from day one.
- Rental income. We found no reliable published rental yields for weekend homes in this area, so treat rent as a bonus, not a plan.
Weekend farmhouse versus other options
| Option | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend farmhouse (2 to 8 kanal) | Families who will visit often and can hold for years | Slower resale, ongoing upkeep, distance from the city |
| Residential plot (5 marla to 1 kanal) | Buyers planning to build a primary home later | Land sits idle until you build |
| Commercial plot (4 to 8 marla) | Investors comfortable waiting for a developed market | Value depends heavily on how the project fills in |
| City house rented out | Buyers who want regular rent | No personal retreat, and tenant management |
What a weekend home really costs
Costs start with the price and keep going. Lakeshore City’s website lists its current farmhouse plan at PKR 8,000,000 for 2 kanal, PKR 14,500,000 for 4 kanal, and PKR 27,000,000 for 8 kanal. Each plan splits payment into 12.5% at booking, 12.5% at confirmation, 30 monthly installments, six bi-annual payments, and a 10% balloting payment. On the 2 kanal plan the monthly installment is PKR 86,667. The page also shows older rates, so confirm the current schedule with the sales team.
On top of the price sit transfer taxes, construction, furnishing, utilities, and a caretaker. Tax advisory summaries report that Budget 2026-27 replaced value slabs with flat advance tax rates for active filers, 1.25% for buyers and 2.75% for sellers. Sources differ, so check with FBR or a tax adviser first.
Five checks before you pay anything
- Ask for the NOC and approval documents, then verify them with the issuing authority.
- Visit on a weekday and a weekend, and in more than one season if you can.
- Time the drive from your home at the hour you would normally leave.
- Get the full payment schedule in writing, including every fee.
- Decide how long you can hold without needing to sell.
Where Lakeshore City fits
Lakeshore City sits at Khanpur Dam. Its location page states that the project is 2.5 km from Mabali Island, 4 km from Rajdani, and a 15-minute drive from Islamabad’s D-12 sector, with both waterfront and hill views. Confirm the timing on your own route. Farm house owners also get 50% off the membership fee and free boating with a guide, per the Lakeshore Farms page.
If you want to compare plot sizes against your budget, register your interest with the Lakeshore City team and ask for the current payment schedule.
Overseas Pakistanis can start remotely. The Lakeshore City clients booking form can be completed online, or downloaded, filled out, and submitted to the office. It asks for nominee details, which families abroad should settle early. Confirm what overseas applicants need to submit.
The bottom line
A weekend home near Islamabad can be a sound long-term holding for a buyer who will use it, can wait, and checks the paperwork first. It is a poor choice for anyone counting on fast profit. Check the paperwork, count every cost, and visit more than once. If it still feels right, the booking form is there when you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Khanpur Dam from Islamabad?
Published sources give figures between about 40 and 50 km, depending on route. Lakeshore City states a 15-minute drive from Islamabad’s D-12 sector. Actual time depends on traffic, so test your own route.
Can I earn rent from a weekend home near Islamabad?
Possibly, but reliable yield data for this area is scarce. Treat any rent as a bonus and do not build your budget around it.
How do I check whether a housing scheme is approved?
Ask for its NOC, then verify it with the relevant body: CDA for Islamabad, RDA for Rawalpindi, or the KP Land Use and Building Control Authority for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Do not rely only on documents the seller hands you.
Can overseas Pakistanis buy a farmhouse remotely?
Lakeshore City’s booking form can be filled online or downloaded and submitted to its office. Ask the sales team which documents overseas applicants need and how nominee details are handled.
Is a farmhouse better than a residential plot?
It depends on use. A farmhouse suits a family that will visit often and can hold for years. A residential plot suits someone who plans to build a primary home later. Neither guarantees appreciation.
