Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Agent When Considering Waterfront Property

Buying a home on the waterfront can treat you to picturesque views throughout the year, as well as provide easy access if you and your family are into water activities such as boating and fishing. As with any home purchase, it's ideal to enlist the help of a real estate agent who can not only help you find listings that suit your search criteria, but also steer you away from properties that seem like they could carry some degree of risk due to the close proximity to water. In order to ensure that you get the location that you desire, here are some important questions to ask the agent about waterfront property listings.

Are There Any Recreational Restrictions For The Body Of Water?

It's imperative that you know about the rules and restrictions concerning the body of water before you think about making an offer on the property, and your real estate agent can talk to the local conservation authority or other governing body to confirm this information. For example, fishing is prohibited in some areas and some bodies of water have a no-wake zone near homes. Knowing this information can impact your decision if you're an avoid outdoor enthusiast.

What Weather-Related Upgrades Does The Home Have?

Depending on the area in which you're looking, you'll need to confirm about what weather-related upgrades the builder or previous homeowner made. For example, a home in an area that has been hit by hurricane-level storms in the past will often have storm shutters that will prevent window breakage. Other homes might have an extensive sump pump system to ensure that the basement stays dry even if the water level of the body of water rises.

Is It Possible To Build A Dock?

In some waterfront communities, private docks are eschewed in favor of using marinas in the vicinity; in other areas, the quality of the bottom of the water might not be conducive to a standard dock. In either case, it's imperative to know if you can proceed with building a dock if doing so suits you. For example, if you're an avid boater, you'd ideally like to keep your boat moored at the edge of your property.

How Might This Location Impact My Home Insurance?

Your real estate agent will be able to talk to the listing agent or dig up information in another manner that reveals how the location will affect your home insurance rate. If this rate will be different than what you pay now, it's important to have this price estimate in advance to factor it into your budget.