What To Consider When Purchasing A Waterfront Property

Have you been interested in owning a home that is on the water? This type of property is going to be a bit different from your typical home and will have a few unique considerations that you have to think about.

The Type Of Water Access

Simply having a home located on a waterfront is not the only thing people look for since you want to actually go in the water from time to time. That's why the ways that you can access the water are very important. Is it the type of property where you can set up a boat dock so that your boat is always ready to go? Is there a beach where kids can play in the sand and shallow water? These are all important questions to ask yourself.

The Water Quality

Having access to the water doesn't mean much if the water quality is poor. Take some time to figure out if the water is appropriate for swimming or if people are only taking their boats on the water. It's also worth figuring out the average temperature of the water. A small lake with a shallow depth may be a lot warmer than a property on a much bigger lake, with the warm water making it more likely that you'll go swimming.

The Flood Zone

Living on the water means that you are going to be in a flood zone. You'll want to do your research to find out what the risks are in your particular area, as well as how that impacts the insurance needs for the property. Flood insurance will be required if you live in a flood zone, so you'll need to purchase that along with your typical home insurance.

The Maintenance

What kind of maintenance is unique to the property because it is on the water? Living near salt water is going to be quite different from freshwater because more salt will get into the air and on the home itself, which will require cleaning. As the homeowner, you may be responsible for maintaining a seawall that separates your property from the water. The same can be said for maintaining any boat dock that you own as well.

The Location

Owning a home on the water may be a dream, but is the location right for you? Drastically increasing your commute to work in order to get out to your waterfront home may not be practical if it's too far. A small lake may be more practical and closer to where all the action is.

Contact a real estate agent to learn more about waterfront homes for sale.