Four Tips For Buying Your Dream Waterfront Property

Many people dream of owning a home on the waterfront. If you've reached the point where you can make that dream your reality, then you're probably very excited about starting the house hunting process. But shopping for a home on a lake or on the oceanfront is a bit different than shopping for non-waterfront property. Follow these tips to ensure you find the right waterfront property for you.

Work with a realtor who specializes in waterfront homes.

Waterfront homes sell for a lot more than homes that are just a block inland. They have their own maintenance issues due to the waterspray, and they are sold to a different demographic than are other homes in the same neighborhood. For these reasons, not all realtors who work in a general area may be familiar, specifically, with the waterfront properties in that area. So to ensure you have a knowledgeable professional in your corner, be sure to choose an agent who specifically works with buyers of waterfront homes.

Look for amenities that suit your lifestyle.

Waterfront homes typically come with some sort of entertainment amenities. Some may have boat docks, while others may have manicured beaches. Before you make an offer on the home, ensure that the entertainment amenities align with your lifestyle. For instance, you may not want to pay more for a home with a boat dock if you don't have any intention of boating -- and you might miss the groomed beach you could have instead!

Apply for financing early.

Since waterfront properties are typically quite costly, lenders may be pickier and take more time when deciding whether to approve your mortgage applications. So start applying for mortgages before you start actually looking for homes. Ideally, you will get pre-approved so that when you do make an offer, you can ensure the seller that you've already been approved for a loan. This will make your offer more appealing to the seller.

Look into insurance costs.

Homeowners' insurance on a waterfront property tends to be more expensive. This is because the insurance company has to cover an increased risk of damage due to high winds and storms. There's also a greater risk of someone getting injured on your property if it's on the beach.To ensure you don't end up in over your head, work on getting quotes for homeowners' insurance so you can budget for this cost when deciding how much you can afford to pay for a home.

For more information or assistance, contact companies like Sabrina Sparkman Realtor.

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