The Top Questions You Need To Ask When Looking
for a House on the Water
If you are taking a look at real estate in Deland FL-based, you have probably realized that this is a desirable area in which to live. Even if you want to take advantage of everything the local area has to offer, you need to think carefully about the house you purchase. There are many options available, and you need to think carefully about the benefits and drawbacks of each choice before you make a decision. You should also work with a real estate professional who has knowledge of the local market. What are a few of the most important questions you need to ask before you decide to purchase a property that sits on the water?
How Close Does the Tide Come?
The first question you need to ask is about the tide. Of course, if you sit on the beach, you will need to deal with changing tides. The tide typically comes in and out a few times a day, and you need to think carefully about how close the tide comes to your house. While you should not expect the tide to regularly approach your property line, there are certain situations where this may be a bigger issue. For example, if a hurricane generates a lot of storm surges, you might have to deal with a greater risk of flooding. Always take a look at the tide, and figure out how close it comes to your property.
Does the House Sit in a Floodplain?
Next, you need to figure out whether the house sits in a floodplain. If you purchase a house on the beach, there is a good chance that your house will be in a floodplain. What this means is that there is a reasonable chance that your house could deal with a flood. It is important for you to understand floodplains because this could mean that you have to purchase flood insurance. If you plan on taking out a loan for your house, your lender might require you to purchase flood insurance. This is a significant additional expense that you need to budget for.
What Are the Rental Opportunities Like?
Furthermore, you could take a look at rental opportunities. Owning a house on the beach can be expensive, but you might be able to offset some of these expenses if you can rent out your house when you are not there. Even if you plan on living in your house, you might be able to rent out your house when you are out of town. This could generate some extra money that can cover some of these expenses. If you can rent out your house, you need to figure out if other people in the area are renting out their houses. Take a look at who rents those houses. This could have an impact on your quality of life.
What Are the HOA Dues and What Do They Cover?
Do not forget to ask about HOA dues as well. It is not unusual for HOA dues to be more expensive if you have a house on the water. If you are spending a lot of money on HOA dues, you need to figure out what they cover. Do you have someone who comes and mows your lawn for you? Do you have someone who comes and takes care of the pool? Do you have professional crews that come in and handle maintenance for you? Make sure you know everything about your HOA expenses, including how often you have to pay them.
Find the Right House for Yourself and Your Family
Ultimately, these are just a few of the many questions you need to ask if you are thinking about purchasing a property that sits on the water. If you are thinking about moving to the local area, you will quickly see that there are many houses for sale that sit right on top of the beach. Even though that sounds like an attractive option, you need to ask the right questions. That is why you should work with a real estate professional who can look out for your best interests. If you find the right house, you can take advantage of the best parts of living on the beach.
