5 Things to Look for When Purchasing a Waterfront Home in College Station

College Station is an exciting city to call home and offers some of the most exquisite real estate available. The luxury waterfront homes in the area are nothing short of spectacular with countless high-end amenities and features that can’t be beat, not to mention the expansive views that these waterfront homes offer residents. 

We love College Station because of its homey feel and all of the exciting attractions, including the incredible Texas A&M campus where some of the best memories are made. Living in a waterfront home in the area only escalates the incredible lifestyle you can live. If you are in search of a waterfront home in College Station, here are five things you should look for. 

Look for the Best Views

When you buy a waterfront home, you are buying more than just the home. You should keep in mind that you are also gaining stunning views, easy access to the water, frontage along the water, serene privacy and a variety of other perks. There is no price you can place on a beautiful view of the water, but you will be paying for these additional waterfront perks. 

The best part about purchasing a home on the water in College Station is that you gain an amazing home and a location that offers so many benefits that you get to enjoy every single day. Many of the waterfront homes in College Station feature floor to ceiling windows offering expansive views of the water that is breathtaking in the morning when the sun rises and in the evenings when the sun sets. 

Look for the Right Flood Insurance

Depending on how close the home is to the water and the type of financing, you may be required to purchase a flood insurance police on the home. Flood insurance will cover the repairs of damages caused by flooding and it is important to note that certain waterfront homes are at higher risk for a potential flood than others. These homes will have a higher flood insurance policy rate, which is why you need to understand flood insurance and the costs that accompany it. Your insurance agent and real estate agent can help you determine the cost of flood insurance on a property. 

Certain waterfront homes will require an HOA fee. These are all costs that you need to consider when purchasing a stunning home on the water, but trust us – these costs are minimal when compared to all of the exciting benefits you receive. 

Look for the Numbers Behind the Cost of Extra Maintenance

All homeownership comes with maintenance needs, but waterfront homes have different maintenance responsibilities that need to be taken care of. The most obvious maintenance of a waterfront home is the frontage of the property. If the home is located on a body of water that tends to have rough waters, there is a possibility that a home’s break wall or docks will be destroyed. Waterfront properties are prone to damage caused by weather with higher risk than homes not located waterfront. Other maintenance that waterfront homes require include:

• Dock maintenance
• Siding maintenance
• Roof maintenance
• Deck maintenance

Waterfront properties are also subject to additional regulations and codes and there are strict regulations on shoreline development. If you have future plans to build or remodel on the lot, perform a thorough feasibility analysis given the city and shoreline regulations. New construction cannot be built closer to the water than current construction and this is something to keep in mind. 

If this is your first waterfront home, you should consult with your real estate agent on every single item you need to know about when purchasing a waterfront property. The team at Myke Leatham has extensive experience in waterfront properties in College Station and can help guide you to every single piece of information you need to make an informed decision.

Look for the Right Inspections Needed

Water can create huge issues for a home and since a waterfront home is located near or on the water, you need to ensure that the inspector make sure there aren’t any water intrusion problems with the home. It is possible there may not be any issues with water in the home, the small expense of a home inspection is well worth the peace of mind that you will have knowing the home isn’t damaged. Another waterfront inspection you should look for is a septic inspection. If the home is not hooked up to public sewers, which many waterfront homes are not, it is important to have a septic inspection done. 

Look for Locals to Give Insight on the Area & Neighborhood

Waterfront communities in College Station are very tight-knit and residents are all extremely friendly. A great tip for finding the perfect waterfront home is to talk to some of the local residents to find the ideal neighborhood for you and your family. If you are in the market for a waterfront home, a quick conversation with a neighbor can help you gain insight into potential issues in the area and also the benefits of calling the area or neighborhood home. 

You never know – one of these locals may be your future neighbor and it can’t hurt to have a friendly face down the street when you are new to the neighborhood. Other than speaking with locals, you can also do a quick search online of the community to see what comments are being made about the area. 

Tips for Purchasing a Waterfront Home

Focus on the Property More than the Home

You know what they say, “location, location, location.” This is even more important when purchasing waterfront property because the ratio of land value to total property value is typically higher in waterfront properties. You can always renovate and update your home, but you can never change its location. Consider the following when purchasing a waterfront property:

• Views – Like mentioned earlier, the greatest perk of living in a waterfront home is the view. Understand if your view is protected by CC&Rs or view easements. If there are any view-obstructing buildings or trees, you may want to reconsider purchasing that particular home.
• Proximity to the water – If the home is not directly waterfront, you will need to assess how you’ll access the water. 
• Privacy – Living on the water comes with many perks, but keep in mind that the larger your waterfront frontage is, the more privacy you will have from neighbors.
• Topography – Is the home on a level lot or on a steep slope? The access to the water is much easier if the home is on a level lot. Many waterfront lots are steep and can be hard to get up and down to, which will impact the value of the property. 

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Waterfront Home

Living on the water comes with many things to consider such as the boating traffic in front of the home, whether there is a busy channel or a nearby fishing spot where boaters gather. Also take a look at other homes in the neighborhood – are they well maintained? Does your neighbor own a boat that blocks part of your view? If you are interested in shared waterfront, be thorough in your understanding of the ownerships and rights you have. Certain shared waterfront homes have specifically deeded boat slips, though many others share a community dock. 

Enjoying the Waterfront Lifestyle

The direct and private access to the water that you have living in a waterfront home is one of the biggest draws to these types of homes. Living in a waterfront home is truly a lifestyle. From the brisk fall nights by the water to the stunning sunrises in the summer, there are so many things to love about living in a waterfront home in College Station. Owning a waterfront property in College Station is a life-long dream and it comes with an exceptional lifestyle. Not only is College Station one of the best places to live in Texas, but also when you choose to purchase a home on the water, you are truly choosing an oasis as your home. 

Let Us Help You Buy Your Dream Waterfront Home in College Station

Thinking of buying or selling a home? Do you just want to know what your home’s current market value is? The team at Myke Leatham looks forward to lending you our market expertise with no obligation, or we can schedule a home evaluation. We want the entire home buying or selling process to be enjoyable and easy. 

We are committed to ensuring that all of your real estate needs are met. Browse the website to check out listings, find tips on buying and selling homes and just to learn about the amazing area of College Station and why we love to call the city home.