Every year, thousands of people are attracted by the idea of buying property along the shoreline. Whether it is for vacation or permanent living, waterfront homes happen to be among the most expensive properties in any given location. Admittedly, the concept of waterfront homes sounds fancy and alluring, but make sure you give it a second thought before actually shelling out such a huge amount of money.
Further, there are high expectations, and many prospective buyers feel disappointed and discouraged after signing a contract. With that said, there is no need to worry as long as you follow these simple but practical tips:
1) Ensure there is room for the house to expand
If you’re planning to build a pool or an elevated deck, there should be room for it. For instance, if you find the right piece of waterfront property at houses for sale in New Braunfels, but there’s no space for expansion, then think about looking elsewhere. As your lifestyle changes, so can your home. Therefore, ensure that you think ahead about how you might want to transform your waterfront home in the future.
2) Look at the surroundings and make sure it’s safe
You should make sure that it feels like a safe neighborhood where you can raise children or leave your elderly parents to live alone. Ensure that the surrounding homes look well maintained, and remember to check out all of the local schools.
3) Find out if you can obtain homeowner’s insurance
Waterfront homes are more difficult to insure because of the increased risk of flooding. For instance, if you buy a home at lake houses for sale in Texas located in an area surrounded by water, you might not be able to obtain homeowner’s insurance at all. Your only choice could be to buy flood insurance separately through the government.
4) Find out how much it will cost to maintain your waterfront home
You don’t want to buy a waterfront home that you can’t afford to keep up. You should also try to find out if local authorities set any restrictions about the height of future construction on your property. For instance, when looking for Lake Austin waterfront homes for sale, it is advisable to check your local tax codes to know how much you’ll be paying in taxes each year.
5) Think about the resale value
Homebuyers should never forget that waterfront homes are not built for eternity. It is best to consider investing in something highly sought after, even after years of purchase. For instance, things like a great location and modern amenities are among the top choices for most people, especially those who want their houses to maintain high values over time.
6) Check the water quality
Checking for pollution is not something that people tend to think of straight away, but it should be your priority. Visit the beach and see if there are any warning signs about eating fish caught in those waters. If pollution levels are high, protecting yourself from health risks should be your main priority. Of course, you could always opt for a non-waterfront home where you can enjoy all the same comforts without having to worry about your children’s health.