Waterfront Homes Buyer’s Guide

June 4, 2012

So you’re buying a waterfront home—congratulations! First and foremost, decide what kind of property you’re looking for, as there are many nuances in this specialized market. Like any property purchase, a robust understanding of what your needs, wants and goals are will help both you and your REALTOR® evaluate the properties available and select properties that are best suited to your lifestyle, eliminating wasted time. For instance, seasonal waterfront homes differ greatly from permanent waterfront homes, so eliminating the homes that don’t suit your criteria can help you and your REALTOR® become more efficient in your home search.

For a seasonal or vacation waterfront home, REALTORS® suggest that you familiarize yourself with the vacation rental market to establish what course of action you will take for the periods of time that your home is not in use. For a permanent residence, vacation market trends will be of lesser importance. Instead, your focus should be on access to services and public amenities in your chosen area. Now that you’ve determined what kind of waterfront home you’re in the market for, you can narrow your search further by deciding what leisure activities you’re interested in and your ultimate goals in waterfront home ownership. With your certified REALTOR® to help you, you’re almost ready to enjoy the view of the water and the balmy breezes!