How to Choose a Waterfront Property?
English: The view from the southern end of the Musical Walkway adjoining the Fishing net Bridge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
While making a home purchase, one needs to set his or her priorities right so as not to quibble later on about missed opportunities. This becomes all the more necessary if you are looking to invest your savings in a waterfront home. A waterfront or a beachfront property is just not another home. There are special things that need to be taken care of.
There is enough historical evidence to suggest that nothing attracts human habitation like a water body (lake, river or sea) does, for varying reasons. From eons, scenic lakes, rivers and ocean beaches have lured families for activities like fishing, boating, swimming, and others. Besides, watching the sun go down the horizon into the sea from your window daily and experiencing the relaxing sound of waves alongside is a hard
to resist proposition for most mortals. A waterfront property provides all these benefits and more. Whether it is located near an ocean, lake or river, a waterfront property is always a much-sought after commodity in the upscale real estate market, despite its huge price tag. But what does make a waterfront property as costly as it is?
Desirability
For the same reason you would pay more for a Mercedes Benz then a normal Ford; desirability. A waterfront home adds weights to the social status of the occupant. Moreover, if you are willing to pay 100, 000 bucks for a property with a regular view of other houses and a road, you will surely be willing to pay extra for an unhindered view of water waves crashing with the rocks.
Construction cost
Developing a waterfront property under normal circumstances takes more efforts, better architectural expertise and special material owing to the unique geographical environment. The presence of the water body, while on one hand is its biggest selling point, on the other hand also makes its construction costs climb far above than a normal house.
Tips on choosing a perfect waterfront property
While going to buy a new waterfront property, take some time out to find your expectations from the property. Analyze your lifestyle, interests and what activities you enjoy doing most. Here are some questions you need to answer prior to making the choice.
What is your perfect idea for leisure?
Buying a new waterfront property has more wants associated with it then needs. Your wants include the favorite pastimes; is it boating that you love most or a silent evening of fishing is what you prefer? People leading a more active lifestyle might think kayaking or canoeing a better way to get intimate with nature. While for avid boaters, water depths and tides are essential elements to investigate, fishers tend to stick to properties that have easy access to water, with most preferring for a home besides deep water bodies that support cold water fisheries.
How often will you be at the property?
Not all waterfront properties are built to last round the year use. People buy such properties for a summer getaway with their families. Most tourist locations have a healthy thriving market of such homes. Places with a healthy footfall of tourists, a balanced flora and fauna ecosystem that is nourished by water bodies attract people to buy homes there. These seasonal homes, also known as camps are often missing proper insulation or a central heating system, making them unfit for winter use.
The coastal cities of Coorg and Kochi in India are known for such properties. In fact, Coorg properties are quite affordable despite being in demand. While such lacking is reflected through a reduced price tag, you have to be in the clear before making the purchase.
What can you afford?
There are options galore in the waterfront property market, but only if you are willing to shed heavy loads of cash. There might be a number of hidden costs associated along with many obvious costs that you might have missed out on before deciding the purchase. Travelling costs, property taxes, maintenance and upkeep are some of the obvious costs that you need to pay regularly as long as you own the property. Other hidden costs may include a localized tax for the lake association, or implementation erosion control practices, and a caretaker during the times when you won’t be present at the property.
A blogger by profession and an engineer by qualification, Saurabh Tyagi started his career in new media 3 years back. Since then his writings has been published on leading online blogs. Currently he freelances for major Indian brands like Shiksha.com, Naukri.com, and 99acres.com amongst others.
Category: Real Estate
