With any home purchase, it’s important to know exactly what you want and need in a home to make the right decision.
Waterfront homes are a little different then just any home. There are special considerations that
must be made before purchasing your next waterfront home.
When considering a home on the water there are a few things that are important to mull over, for starters it’s important that the property will suit your lifestyle and let you enjoy the activities you love. Use this primer to help you get a better understanding of what you want in a dream waterfront home.
Step 1: Determining your needs
This can be one the most important parts of looking for a waterfront property. It’s crucial to determine what your passions are, what you care about, and what your priorities are when it comes to waterfront living. There are a few simple questions to answer that will help get a feel for your expectations in a waterfront investment;
What types of activities do you enjoy?
These activities will help you determine the type of waterfront property that will be easiest to enjoy these favorite pastimes. Some examples may be:
• Boating. For avid boaters, the size of the boat becomes a crucial part of finding a waterfront property. Do you want to be able to put a large boat behind your property? There are a lot of properties that don’t allow for large boats due to river depth, oyster beds or tides.
• Fishing. Fishermen preferably want properties with easy access to water.
• Kayaking or canoeing. This activity is usually enjoyed on an intimate waterfront where you can commune with nature, not on a large body of water like a lake where there are jet skies and speed boats.
How often do you plan to be there?
Some waterfront properties are not meant for year-round use. For example, in rural Maine they have seasonal homes that are more like cabins. They lack central heating so they are only great from mid-spring to mid-fall, but not ideal for winter.
Step 2: Scoping Out Properties
As with any other real estate purchase, the old adage holds true: location, location, location. After determining your needs in a waterfront home, it’s important to visit different areas and see how it suits you. Not all waterfront properties are equal; here are a few important attributes to consider:
• Sandy beach. A sandy beach equals a more pleasant experience for the whole family.
• View. This attribute lets you enjoy your waterfront property as you get older and become less active in the water.
• Level lot. The flatter the lot the better; it makes access to water easier.
• Proximity to water. Homes closer to the water allow you to be closer to wildlife and to keep and eye on your kids from your home.
• Privacy. This often corresponds to the amount of water frontage the property has.
Very Few properties earn a perfect score on the scale. With all of the considerations that go into buying a waterfront home, having a real estate agent such as Donald Buresh of Napa CA, who specializes in waterfront properties is crucial.
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