Important Steps to Take When Buying a Waterfront Property

With Florida’s population growing by around 1,000 people every day, it’s no surprise that more and more people are looking to buy beach homes. And, while waterfront homes have plenty of benefits to offer, like a beautiful view and easy access to the water, it is important to find the right property. In this post, we’re going to discuss a few important steps you should take to help you find the best waterfront home possible.

Find the right realtor: Before you start looking at Fort Lauderdale real estate, you need to make sure you choose the right realtor. Most Fort Lauderdale realtors should have plenty of experience with finding and showing waterfront homes for sale. But it is important to always check — because beach real estate can be problematic, it’s essential to work with a realtor who knows what to look for in waterfront property. In doing this, you can avoid major problems, like water damage and foundation issues.

Consider the water: It’s important to remember that you’re not just buying a home, you’re buying a home near the water. This means you need to like the water just as much as you like the house. If you find a beautiful house but it’s on the noisy, crowded, and smelly water, you may want to look elsewhere. You should know how popular the water is so you can predict how many people will be out on it every day. A good way to get more information about the water nearby is to talk to neighbors in the area.

Know your insurance options: Insurance for any home can be complicated, but particularly for waterfront homes. This is because waterfront property has an increased risk of flooding and sometimes even hurricane damage. With that in mind, it’s important to figure out what kind of insurance you’re going to need. You may end up paying more than expected, so it’s always best to know your options before you buy a house.

Understand your responsibilities: Many beach homes are part of homeowners associations. And being part of an HOA means you have specific responsibilities, like maintaining the lawn. It’s important to know what kind of conditions you’ll be agreeing to before you buy a home. Furthermore, when you’re looking at beach real estate for sale, you need to fully understand what you can and cannot do to the property. Things like adding a dock or a seawall may not be allowed in your area, so check on this to avoid future disappointment.

Consider your lifestyle: You should think about why exactly you want to buy a waterfront home. Do you want to just sit on your back deck and have a beautiful view of the water? If so, you may want to buy in a calmer water area and you might not need to be right on the water. Or do you want to go out fishing every single day? If this is the case, you’ll want to ensure you’re right near the water. Considering your lifestyle and expectations of owning a waterfront home will help you and your South Florida realtors find the right property.

Keep the weather in mind: Being on the water means your home will be subjected to harsher weather — high winds, hurricanes, flooding, and water spraying can all take a toll on beach houses. This is why it’s crucial to make sure the house you’re buying can withstand harsh weather conditions. Waterfront homes should have strong, waterproof foundations and other elements, like storm shutters. These are important considerations to make so you don’t buy a property that you need to repair regularly from weather damage.

Hopefully, these steps will help you find the right waterfront real estate in Fort Lauderdale. With 36% of vacation buyers purchasing a home in a beach area, there are going to be plenty of property options to choose from. We can help you here with our team of real estate agents at the Henri Frank Group. Have more questions about waterfront property? Call today!