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5 Things you should consider before buying a waterfront property

Many people dream of living somewhere where they can just walk out and run into the ocean, have a drink in the spectacular endless views or sit on a balcony and enjoy the sunset. This setting gives the owners a feeling of living on vacations. Generally, waterfront properties in Mazatlán are a little more expensive than the typical home found inland, however that luxury is completely worth it, we all know the benefits of purchasing a waterfront property:

  • The incredible views.
  • The peaceful waterfront lifestyle.
  • The potential for good investment returns.
  • High demand and easy to rent out.
Whether you’re looking to move, acquire a vacation home, investment property, or searching for your ideal retirement home, there are a few things to consider first. To help with your purchasing process, we’ve compiled this list of handy tips to guide you in your search for your dream waterfront home. 

To start off, it’s best if you fully understand the difference between each type of water-based properties, as there are a few different options. The differences occur when it comes to the type of water where the property is situated and the accessibility to that water.

The three main types of properties include:

Waterview 

This means that from your home, you can see the water, but your property does not sit directly along the banks of the water. These properties are one of the more affordable properties, as you get the benefit of the incredible views, but you don’t get direct access.

Water Access

This means that you can easily get to the water via a shared pathway, beach, pier, walking distance. Sometimes the method of reaching the water is public and sometimes it’s private. If you’re looking for private access, be sure you inquire about this detail before making any decisions.

Waterfront

This is the ultimate luxury: direct access to the water, in this option you should also be careful as to where your property is exactly located, because you may be waterfront but still not have waterview, an example could be a development that is located right next to the bank of water but your unit or apartment may be looking towards the city. 

The main things we recommend you consider before your purchase are: 

1. Find an experienced agent.

Not all real estate agents have experience with waterfront properties. Someone who’s familiar with dealing with waterfront properties will know all the right questions to ask, particularly when it comes to the wear and tear of the structure due to the proximity of the water. They will be able to provide information about the surrounding water, including what the bottom of the water is like, whether the shoreline is rocky, muddy, or sandy, what recreational activities are allowed on the water, they will also give you an idea of the demographic of your potential neighbors and the noise level made around the property.

2. Carefully inspect the materials and maintenance requirements.

When you’re dealing with a property near the water, there are different maintenance requirements expected. While you’re touring a potential property, keep an eye out for possible damage caused by the proximity of the water. For example, oceanfront properties will have the potential for corrosion on the exterior structure due to the salty air. Excess moisture in the air can also lead to more mold or mildew issues, so be sure to ask about any current or reoccurring issues before you make any decisions. If the property includes a basement, whether it’s used for storage, parking or whatever, you’ll want to inquire about water seeping in or any possible flooding during heavy rains.

3. Look into the shoreline’s history.

It’s good to know where your shoreline comes from and how exactly it used to look. As water and dirt mix over the years, it’s possible for the shoreline to move. Getting a look at what the property looked like in the past will give you an idea of how it could look in the future.

If the shoreline is receding or has moved farther out on your property, that means that over time you may end up having to walk quite a ways to reach the water or on the other side as the water level rises, it encroaches on the house and could possibly infiltrate its space, causing a great deal of water damage. 

4. Make multiple visits.

If you’ve found a property that you love, meaning the house checks all your boxes, the water is perfect for your recreational activities, and that view is just to die for, you’re going to want to make a second or third trip to see the property. One thing to keep in mind when you book your return visit is to go at a different time of the day. If you saw the property during the day, try to go around sunset. If you first toured on a weekday, come back on the weekend. This will allow you to view your potential home in different lighting and get a feel for how noisy and busy the area and the water are on the weekend. This will help you to truly envision yourself living there.

5. Be aware of any hidden costs.

Every home comes with its own share of expenses that you may or may not have anticipated when you set your budget. It’s best to be as prepared for these expenses as you can. When it comes to waterfront properties, if you will live in a condo you need to consider the monthly or yearly maintenance fees, and if it is an individual property, make sure you understand the life window of the materials on your home, such as wood, windows, outdoor furniture etc. so you will know how long will it be before you have to spend in the renewal or maintenance of them.

Living on the water is the ultimate dream of rest and relaxation and is worth the hassle of searching through the many available options. With the right real estate agent on your side and a bit of know-how when it comes to what you should look out for, this experience can be very exciting and stress-free. 



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