Real estate Posts

Buying a home can be an intimidating and complicated process, but purchasing a waterfront property can be even more intimidating and complex. Owning a home on the water is a dream for many people. Still, it is essential to know some important things to make the process less complex and intimidating before purchasing a waterfront property. 

First Steps Toward Buying a Waterfront Property

No matter what kind of home you plan on buying it is important to know the first steps. It’s especially crucial when you are trying to buy a waterfront property because of a few additional measures.  

What kind of waterfront? 

One of the first things that should be considered is what kind of waterfront property you would like to purchase. Whether it’s a lake, river, or ocean, it is essential to look at where you see yourself living. Ask yourself if you would like a sandy beach, if you’re okay with murky water or if you would prefer clear water.  

Next, make sure to know the difference between a waterfront property and a property with water views or water access or having water privilege. A property with just water views will not be on water like a waterfront property would be. Instead, you can just see the water from your home while not being on the water. With water access, this means you may not be on the water or even see it from your property. Having water access means you will just be able to go to the water either from your property or a community-owned property. Finally, if the property has water privileges this means that the property is not waterfront, nor does it have views but you can go to the water from a community-owned property or an easement. Therefore, even if you cannot see the water or the home is not on the water you can still have access to a beach or dock through water access or privilege.  

Location first, home second 

Next, focus on the area first, and the home second. The reasoning behind this is that if the water surrounding the home isn’t what you ideally wanted then you will not be happy inside or outside the home. For example, if you wanted clear waters or a quiet beach and instead you get murky waters or a beach that attracts party-goers you’ll be disappointed that you prioritized the home over the property. 

Find an Agent 

Once it has been determined what kind of waterfront property you would like to own and where you would like to live, now it is time to contact a real estate agent. When trying to find an agent it is important to find one that is experienced with waterfront properties because the average agent may not be. When you find an agent you should start not only by telling them what kind of home you want but tell them how you plan to use the water on the property. For example, if you own a boat, inform your agent of how big of a dock you will need.  

Check Out the Comps 

After the agent finds properties in the area you have selected, it is essential to look at the comparables in the area. By looking at the comps you ensure that you are getting the best deal in that area in regards to home statistics and the water on your property.    Sell your home in Roseville

Questions to Ask the Agent  

Next is knowing the right questions to ask the agent about the waterfront properties they find. Some waterfront properties have Homeowner’s Associations that put in place rules and regulations about the water on the property along with any additional maintenance. It’s also essential to ask about utilities and safety features. Here are some questions to ask: 

• Is there an HOA? 
• Can I build on the property? 
• Are there any water use restrictions? 
• Can I use a boat? 
• Can I swim in the water? 
• Can I fish? 
• Can I use water vehicles?  
• Are there any utilities, if so what utilities?  
• Is there a seawall? If so what’s its age and previous maintenance that has been done to it? 

Research Before Buying  

Finally, do your research. It’s important to do a water analysis test to ensure that it is safe for swimming and any other water activities. Another thing to check out in regard to safety is the seawall or bulkhead. Most waterfront properties that are on the ocean have either a seawall or a bulkhead to protect the house from any damage that’s why it is important to know everything about the one on the property. Therefore, you should look into getting the seawall inspected by a specialist. 

Benefits of Owning a Waterfront Property 

If you’re still considering whether or not to buy a waterfront property, or if you are in the process of buying one, here are some of the many benefits.  

Personal benefits 

One big personal and long-term benefit of living on the water is the health benefits of it. According to Michigan State University’s Amber L. Pearson, living near water can help reduce stress levels leading to a healthier and happier life.  

Purchasing waterfront property is a personal and long-term benefit that will be great for you and your family, especially for your family in the future. This is because many families choose to buy waterfront properties and keep it in their family as a legacy property. Therefore, by buying a waterfront property, you are not only investing in your future but in your family’s future for generations to come.  

Financial benefits 

Owning waterfront property is not only good for your overall health but also has some financial benefits. The first financial benefit is that purchasing a waterfront property is a promising investment. The reason waterfront property is such a promising investment is that they tend to appreciate more due to the level of scarcity and the high volume of demand from buyers. Another financial benefit to owning waterfront property is the rental income if you decide to put the waterfront property up for rent. Many homeowners of waterfront properties choose to put their homes on the water up for rent when they are not using them, creating an ideal vacation spot for anyone. By putting your waterfront property up for rent, you can have some extra money in your pocket, and you ensure that you will have money for any extra costs that the waterfront property has.  

Challenges and considerations  

Buying a home, no matter where it is will always come with its challenges. But when buying a waterfront property, more challenges need to be considered before making that purchase.  

Additional costs 

Some things you need to consider are the additional costs that your waterfront property will come with. One of the things you should research is insurance. Most home insurance policies don’t cover any water damage caused by flooding so if you live by the water this will be something you will want. To look at the flood hazard information near your potential property check out the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.  Along with getting flood coverage, some waterfront cities require waterfront homeowners to get general hazard and wind coverage. 

More maintenance than expected 

Another challenge would be the additional responsibilities of owning a waterfront property. Some of those responsibilities include extra maintenance of your seawall, dock, and boat lift. Unexpected maintenance will be the HVAC system needing to be replaced sooner, especially if you live on the ocean, because of the salt air. And of course, there will be additional maintenance to preserve the condition of the body of water near the property along with any other rules and regulations that are required by the HOA.  

Less privacy  

Finally, one more thing that needs to be considered before purchasing a waterfront property is the potential lack of privacy around the home. If the water the house is on is popular either with people or boats, expect to see more people hanging around near the property giving you less privacy than with an inland property.  

Purchasing a waterfront property can be a big investment but it’s an even bigger decision. Especially when there are so many things to consider. But if after reading this article you have decided it’s the right investment for you and your family, Homes.com can help you search for a waterfront property in any city and help you find an agent.  Begin your search today!

Typically, as a home buyer, you would want a pre-existing house that is move-in ready. But sometimes a home that already exists does not check all the boxes or it’s too expensive. Therefore, building a home could be your best option when it comes to meeting your and your family’s needs. But it is important to know the cheapest ways to build your home so you don’t break your budget.

Consider the Location  

Whether you are buying a pre-existing home or building one, it is essential to decide where you would like that home to be located. For example, would you want your home in a neighborhood or would you rather buy a plot of land and customize your home? Whatever you choose, it is important to research to see the lot size or the potential design plans offered.  

Neighborhood

If you choose to build your home inside of a neighborhood just know that the “starting at price” is usually for the least expensive floor plan and does not include the land or any upgrades. Even if different price points are advertised, they probably still do not include the land or any upgrades; instead, it’s most likely a bigger floor plan with more bedrooms or bathrooms. Another thing to consider if you choose to build in a neighborhood is that the cost of your land will depend on where your lot is located. For instance, if your land is in a cul-de-sac or near water, your lot may cost more than the average lot. Therefore, to get the cheapest land to build on in a neighborhood, look at locations of lots that are not as popular and get the cheapest floor plan.  

Custom Built  

Even though building your own custom home outside of a neighborhood gives you the flexibility to have what you want, it can be expensive. But it can be made more affordable by choosing cheaper plans and materials that work best for your budget and are customized to your wants. You can also choose to buy a spec home. To learn more about the different kinds of homes you can build, check out our guide on how to build your home. Keep in mind, choosing to build outside a neighborhood gives you more flexibility when it comes to lot size and location. Therefore, by building a customized home, you can choose the best land, design plans, and materials that work for you and your budget.  

Designing Your Home on a Budget  

One thing that can either make or break you loving or hating your home is the layout. That’s why it’s important to either meet with a general contractor or an architect when choosing the design plans. 

Style of Home 

First, you need to choose the style of home you would like to design, build, and eventually live in. Some examples include Mediterranean, Craftsman, Contemporary, and Colonial. One style more and more people are considering is the Tiny Home. According to the National Association of Realtors, a tiny home “costs less than one-fifth [of] what a traditional house does.” Therefore, many people are choosing to build tiny homes to save money.  You need to do your research and potentially work with either a general contractor or architect to get the best design and layout for your home. 

Get Design Plans Approved  

Once you have finalized your design plans and layout of your home, it is crucial to get those plans approved before you start building. Therefore, you need to get your plans done early in the process so you can get all the necessary permits before construction starts. If you start building your home without the necessary permits, you may be charged a fine by your city or county and you may even be told you need to tear down what you just built. Therefore, to save yourself the most time and money, it is essential to have your plans approved early on in this process.  

Make a Budget  

To stay organized and know exactly what you are spending or will be spending, it is essential to make a budget and plan out the costs of the build. Making a budget will ultimately be helpful, especially towards the end, because you will not be surprised at the total. Plus creating a budget will help you stay on track and not overspend during the process of building your home.  

Choosing Affordable Materials 

While you are making your budget and design plans you will also be choosing the materials that you will be building your house with. A great way to save money is to choose cheaper materials your home can be made from. For example, you can look for reclaimed materials such as old doors. Not only are reclaimed wood doors trendy but they’re affordable, so be sure to check out old homes being torn down or a salvage store to get the most bang for your buck. Another material that’s rising in popularity is shipping containers. Shipping containers can be used to create the structure of your home and will help you save money on construction costs. Finally, you can buy some of your materials at a discounted rate. For example, most suppliers of construction materials offer a builder’s discount. The quantity the builder’s discount offers may be too big, or it may be just right for your home; either way, it doesn’t hurt to ask. If you do your research and plan wisely you can find plenty of different kinds of building materials to make your home more affordable.

Building Your Home on a Budget  

Once you have decided where you would like the home to be located, it is time to start building! Building is not only the most essential part of this process, but it can be the place where you can save the most money when it comes to labor. 

Know a General Contractor or Become Your Own  

Whether you have building experience or friends or family that have building experience, it’s the cheapest option to either become a general contractor or have your friends or family do it for free or at a lower cost than the average general contractor. If you can do a lot of the work on your own, this will ensure that you will save the most money. But if you are not sure if you can do the work yourself, it is better to be safe than sorry. Meaning that you should hire an experienced builder or general contractor to do the work. It will cost more but it will save you money in the long run because you will not have to spend more correcting the mistakes you made. 

Hire an Experienced Builder  

Whether you have experience with construction or not, it’s a good idea to hire an experienced builder, even though hiring one may cost more than doing the labor yourself or hiring a more affordable and potentially less skilled builder. You will save because they can inform you about the best places to spend money and where to save money in your home. Plus, they can help you avoid problems before they happen due to their experience.  

Saving Energy and Saving Money 

If you would like to save even more money, you should look toward more energy-efficient features you can install in your home. Even though features such as home insulation and solar panels cost more, they will ultimately save you money as a homeowner over the years. Plus, you may qualify for rebates or tax breaks for having certain energy-saving features in your home. To learn more about rebates or tax breaks, check out this article from irs.gov.  

DIY, Almost Everything, and Anything  

Today you can learn just about anything from watching a video on the internet. Therefore, you can learn how to do certain finishes or paintings on your walls from a video. Doing it yourself will not only save you money but you get to learn a new skill. But of course, if you do not trust yourself with these tasks, hire a professional because it will be cheaper to have it done correctly the first time than having to go back and correct mistakes. 

No matter what, building a home can be an intimidating process, especially when you are trying to do it for cheap. With this guidance, hopefully, you can feel more confident about building your dream home at an affordable cost that works for you and your family.