The Cautions of Waterfront Real Estate Home Ownership

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The Cautions of Waterfront Ownership

"...or is it just a part of the experience? Know what you are getting in to, by informing yourself!"

When looking for waterfront property there is a very powerful force that you are bordering. Water. It can be devastating, as well as provide recreational fun including splashing and playing for years of fun. An old aviator's saying can apply here too. "...hours of pleasure, with a few moments of shear terror!" A pilot doesn't quit flying because of these moments, and the waterfront owner becomes a part of the excitement at the river or lake house. Common sense, and a full understanding of water and what it needs to run off should be heavily considered before purchasing waterfront property.

Know approximately where the flood line is! This is important! I have known many happy owners of riverfront property, and lake front property as well, that have a home that is very close to that line. It seems the closer, the more intimate and enjoyed by many waterfront dwellers. Every time the water rises, there is an excitement knowing that change in the characteristics at shore may indeed happen with erosion from current, forming and changing the shoreline. Informed owners are familiar with www.USGS.org, the US Geological Survey water level site, and have seen the peak flows or levels down through history. History does indeed repeat itself, so the chances are there to repeat these levels, in similar frequency at each level of high water. I know of many riverfront homeowners that will live with the potential of a 100 year flood clean up. Every couple of years however, would be excess, and consistently damaging to a home.
River Bottlenecks will make rivers rise higher in some areas over others. Look at topographical maps at www.topozone.com, or get them at the local county courthouse and make sure you do not have a narrow place in the river between bluffs that might make water back up in your area and threaten your home. With all the beautiful and obvious lifestyle and recreational advantages of the rivers, they are indeed the drainage for many square miles of land, so a good review of topographical lay out and river level research is definitely suggested! Getting a home on stilts? Know what you are getting into, research history through the locals, the tools mentioned above, and it still should provide the get-a-way you are seeking.
Lakes rise in heavy rains too! Know the heights of the dam, the flood water level elevations, and be alert to that water that backs up at the edge of your place. Well over the dam level, you are probably all right for sure. A knowledge of how many square miles drains into your lake also helps. A smaller lake at the top of the watershed will not rise as much, but a large lake, even corp. of engineers controlled and managed, can have some real exciting moments for sure! Again lake owners live with the breathing of the lake's level, a part of the lakefront excitement! A portable GPS is very helpful. We have Garmin brand GPS with 3 point satellite detection for elevations. Walk and watch your elevations!
Who handles the maintenance of your Lake dam? If is is a small private lake on some acreage you are buying, you will want to inspect the dam and know it might cost thousands to fix if washing out. Dozers make fine lakes, but are building up land to stop natures fury of high water, so erosion, especially at spillway, would need to be inspected and agreed to in condition for no surprises. Is the maintenance covered by an electric company coop? Good shape! They will handle it. Is it in your home owners association agreement that you will be responsible as a home in the subdivision of the lake? Be aware of the dam condition! Also at the other end of the lake and spectrum of concerns to consider, silt will eventually make the coves where creeks come in shallower every year. If you are way back in the cove, check for history of dredging coves, if done recently, frequently, or ever needed due to topography and water depth. Be informed about silt and water depth for a happy and successful cove experience. If it is shallow, it doesn't mean no. It means it will be less valuable than deepwater frontage that is usable for boats and access in low water levels. That is the buy for the budget minded for sure.

These are just a few things to consider in this introductory presentation of waterfront ownership facts. Will work to build on this site as time allows, providing information for costal properties which we will have to defer for information from folks that know. This is not to scare anyone from buying a piece of waterfront heaven. It is however a reality that can indeed be a part of your selection process, knowing some of the risks and hazards, yet preparing for this excitement, "as a part of the elements, becoming one with that body of water through it's natural changes".

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