Finding A Great Real Estate Agent

Posted on: 22 August 2016

If you love to be near water and are looking for a new home, a waterfront home would be perfect for you and your family. If you would like to do this, below are some tips on purchasing a waterfront home so you and your family will be happy there.

Flooding

One of the first things you need to consider is that living near water means the possibility of a flood. Fortunately, you can make some changes to the house to prevent it from being damaged from water. If it is in your budget, raise the home on columns or piers so the lower flower of your home is above the flood level. This will be expensive but well worth it if flooding is common in the area.

Install foundation vents, which will cause water to flow through the basement or crawlspace instead of rising up and getting inside your home. Install a vent on each side of the foundation or at least two sides.

Dry proofing is something else you can do, which entails applying a waterproof coating around the exterior foundation. If there are windows and doors below the flood level, you should apply the waterproofing coating to these also.

Home Insurance

Check with your insurance agent, as your premiums may increase when you purchase the waterfront home. This is because there is a higher risk of damage, especially if the home is below the flood level. Making changes to your home, such as the changes above, may help keep the premiums down.

You will likely have to add flood insurance to your current policy, as this is generally an add-on and is sold separately. Hurricane protection should be added if you live in a hurricane prone area.

Your insurance company can go over the different policies with you to ensure you are completely covered.

The Property

When buying a waterfront home, consider the property also. If you plan on swimming during the warm months, make sure the water is swimmable. For example, the water may be mucky and you would not want to get in it.

Also, make sure you can easily get down to the water. If you have to walk through woods or any other obstructions, this may not be feasible. There should be a walkway or stairs that go directly to the water. Of course, you can add these things after you move in.

If you will be swimming a lot, you may want to have some privacy. For this reason, check how close neighboring homes are. Consider the view, as you may want a view of the water.

Following this tips should help you find the perfect waterfront property.