Terry,

From the pictures you’ve attached it looks like you may have a couple of things going on here. 

1. Construction - means compacted earth and this makes it more difficult to eatable a lawn.

2. Lakeside - you may have voles or other critters eating at the roots. Or you may have grubs. In this case, you will want to reseed as the damage is most noticeable in the spring. More of the grass will green up over time.

3. Your grass seed. Most commercial grass seed mixes have a lot of annual grasses in them so that they will green up quickly. The annual grasses then die over the winter. Purchase seed from a local nursery and ask them for a mix that is good for your site. Shady? Mixed sun? You say lakeside so I am assuming there are a lot of trees. Purchase only what you will use this year and make sure it is fresh seed.You may also want to consider a ‘bee lawn’ which is a mix of grass, clover and low growing herbs or flowers.

Below are a couple of good articles on establishing a new lawn including dormant seeding that you can do this fall.

https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/seeding-and-sodding-home-lawns

https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/planting-and-maintaining-fine-fescue-lawn

https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/dormant-seeding