Features That Make A Waterfront Home More Valuable
Shopping for waterfront homes can be a real adventure. You might walk away after your first day of shopping wondering why some homes were priced so much higher than others. They were in the same location, about the same age, and about the same size — so you would think they would sell for a more similar price. As it turns out, the value of a waterfront home is largely dependent on the amenities that home offers. The following are a few amenities that raise the value of a waterfront home.
Tile Roofing
The roof on a waterfront home puts up with a lot more abuse than the roof on a home located a mile or two inland. There's the blowing sand, the waterfront breezes, and even water blowing up during storm surges. A shingle, cedar shake, or even a metal roof is going to need frequent repairs on a waterfront home. Clay and concrete roofing tiles, by comparison, are more durable and require less maintenance. As such, a waterfront home with a tile roof will be worth more than a similar home with a different type of roof.
A Dock
Simply being on the water makes a home enjoyable, but having a dock makes the property so much more usable. Suddenly, this is a home that can appeal to the needs of anglers, sailors, and others who love being out on the water. Even if both homes have absolutely gorgeous beachfront in front of them, the home with the dock will be worth significantly more.
A Drainage System
Always ask the real estate agent to describe how a certain waterfront property drains. If the property does not have any sort of established drainage system, then there is a chance it gets wet and flooded when the tide is high or there's a storm. A property with some French drains or another sort of formal drainage system will stay dryer and will therefore be worth more.
An Open Floor Plan
People who buy waterfront homes often do so with the intention of entertaining in them. A home with an open floor plan is better set up for entertaining, even if the home with a closed floor plan is absolutely gorgeous. It's just more fun to entertain when everyone can be together in the same space and you're not constantly running back and forth to the kitchen.
To learn more about the features that determine a waterfront home's value, talk to a real estate agent in the area.