Special Considerations When You View Waterfront Homes For Sale
Waterfront homes for sale are prime real estate. The prices on these homes, regardless of the size of each home, are easily two-hundred-thousand and above, no matter what part of the country you are in. Still, if you have the money and want a waterfront home, there are other special considerations that you should weigh before purchasing waterfront property.
Spring and Summer Floods
If the home you view seems rather low to the ground in comparison to the height of the water nearby, be sure to ask about spring and summer floods. Water can rise very quickly, flooding low lands and your house. If there are preventive measures built into the house for this very reason, ask how they work and ask about their effectiveness to deter water away from the home.
Rats and Other Water-Loving Pests
Rats are notorious for moving in buildings around the water, as are opossums, raccoons, snakes, and a few other creatures you probably would not want in your house. Ask if there has ever been a problem with these pests, and how the owners dealt with them. These pests may not be a deal breaker for you, but you will still want to know how to deal with them when you live on waterfront property.
Mosquitoes and Lake Flies
Mosquitoes are the bane of any property owner who has waterfront property. There is little you can do to control them, since they are right there breeding and hatching in the water. Lake flies begin hatching and mating in late spring too, creating quite a bug-filled environment around your home. Screened in patios or gazebos is how most waterfront homeowners address these pests. The installation of bug zapper lights may also help.
Dock Maintenance
If you have waterfront property, you may also have a dock. Docks require frequent maintenance so that the wood pylons do not rot and break away from underneath you. If you see that a property has a dock, make sure you thoroughly check it out for problems (or have a dock builder check it before making an offer on the property). That way you will have a good idea of the condition of the dock, whether or not it will need some work, and about how much it will cost you to repair or upgrade it into a usable and safe dock. Then you can ask the current owners to fix it before you make an offer, or you can request a reduction in price equal to the cost of making the dock safe and usable.