THE EMERALD COAST BEACHES

Consider your reasons for owning waterfront. What are you planning to do with your waterfront home? Do you want it for boating, fishing, or swimming? Or, are you more of the laid-back type and want a serene, peaceful location where the only exertion required is to watch the pelicans dive or dolphins dance? This will decide the type of waterfront best for you. Here in Northwest Florida, you have numerous choices in type of waterfront: gulf waters, intercostals waters, bay, bayous, canals, rivers and lakes. It’s your choice.

1. Decide if you prefer city life or if it’s green acres for you. Again, you have many choices, from the bustling activity of island living to picture book beachside communities to a Florida Cottage on a lake.

2. Are you expecting this to be your permanent home for year-round occupancy, or are you wanting a waterfront property as a 2^nd home – one that will suit your needs when in residence, yet has a good rental history for when you are not using the property.

3. Put more emphasis on the water and the property than the home that sits on it. Some of the most beautiful waterfront properties in our area were built upon as early as the 1960s. A building can be updated, expanded, or replaced; but, the parcel of land, and especially the precious feet that run alongside the water, most likely can’t be altered.

4. Find out what you can do with the waterfront property. As stated in #4, you will want to put more emphasis on the land than the home. However, if it is not a perfect fit, you will want to know ahead of time how much you are allowed to do to the home and property – and may even want to start some of the processes ahead to make sure such changes are allowable.

5. Research! This is where your ERA American Real Estate professional will prove a valuable asset. Besides knowledge of the various types of waterfront, our agents are trained in the federal, state and local issues that may affect you as a waterfront property owner. He or she can provide information about flood zone codes, storm history of the communities, dock permits, and more.

6. Many of our planned beach communities take seriously the responsibility of protecting the environment for future generations. Your agent will be able to provide you up to date information on such matters as homeowners’ association compliance, protecting the natural shoreline, and Department of Environmental Regulation setbacks.

7. Get your financing in place before you start shopping. Waterfront in our area is still affordable; however, some pieces of waterfront paradise may run more than the limits of your conventional home mortgage. You made need to consider other alternatives such as a jumbo mortgage and will want to leave yourself enough time to shop these options.

8. The storms of life. Our area has been remarkably blessed when it comes to storms and hurricanes. However, insurance rates are a major issue when shopping waterfront property. Equally, the home’s record of claims affects the rates you will pay for a particular property. Your ERA American Realty waterfront expert will be able to assist you in shopping insurance and discussing home features that will minimize your premiums. Topics to discuss with your Realtor:

• Homeowner Insurance Score
• Wind Mitigation Inspection
• Storm Shutters