Tips to Buy the Best Waterfront Property from Lake Keowee Real Estate
Waterfront homes are naturally appealing to buyers. Who wouldn’t want to live right on the water? But although Lake Keowee SC homes for sale are of interest to most buyers, not many people are aware of the particular risks and issues that can arise with a waterfront home purchase. When you start looking at waterfront homes, you want to know which questions to ask to make sure you do not make a purchase that you will regret. To avoid just this minor step, make sure you partner with a waterfront specialist like Lake Keowee Real Estate to find the best Seneca SC homes for sale and get the best deals on the same.
When people think about buying a Lake Keowee waterfront home, they usually picture in their mind how great it will be. This certainly can be the case but there are also pitfalls to buying a waterfront property if you buy into the wrong spot. When it comes to choosing a waterside property, it’s all about the natural assets. After all, unlike the cottage itself, shorelines and waterways usually can’t be renovated. To get the most impressive choices in lake properties and waterfront homes in Seneca SC, get in touch with leading Lake Keowee real estate agents like Lake Keowee Real Estate, which is renowned for its specialization in offering affordable and luxury lake homes and waterfront properties.
Ultimately, the factors that determine what makes the ‘perfect’ Lake Keowee waterfront home depends on individual preferences, but here are some of the things you may want to consider when you’re evaluating prospective lake homes and waterfront houses by Lake Keowee Real Estate.
Check loan availability
It may not be the most exciting question, but it really should be the first one. Waterfront homes are often considerably more expensive than a similar home in a regular neighborhood. Because these homes are pricey, they require bigger loans. Lenders are not apt to give out bigger loans to any but the most qualified buyers. Before you start getting your hopes up about buying a lake house or beach house, check if you can acquire the money to do so.
Feasibility of the property and land
There are two parts to a Lake Keowee waterfront home purchase, the home and the property. One or the other may be severely lacking, but you might not notice if you are too excited about the purchase. If the home is run down, but on an awesome piece of land, remember that you will need to renovate to get the home up to your standards. You may also find that the neighborhood does not necessarily meet your standards even though the lake or ocean itself is beautiful.
Check what you are buying
The term waterfront can mean different things to different people. When you look at a Seneca SC homes for sale around Lake Keowee, verify that it actually extends to the water. You also need to clarify who has use of your property along the water’s edge, and what roads, docks, and other areas might be used by people other than you. The vision you have of owning your own private beach may not be realized in many areas. You will need to look at a survey of the land, a plat map and talk to your Lake Keowee real estate agent — and possibly a real estate attorney — to get completely clear on what you are actually buying.
Verify homeowners association, if any
Many waterfront properties are part of a homeowner’s association. If you are considering buying a property governed by an association, it is important that you understand what that association expects of you. You will be obligated to meet requirements for owning a home in the area, requirements that may or may not be OK with you. This why knowing the homeowners association is so important. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a place you are not happy with. This can happen when proper research is not done on what you are getting yourself into.
Check the neighborhood
In addition to talking to the homeowner’s association and examining legal documents with your Realtor, you can also talk to the property owners that sit adjacent to the property you are considering purchasing. Your potential neighbors may be able to tell you a lot about what to expect when owning property in that area. They may give you valuable information about what it’s like to work with the homeowner’s association, as well as how the water is used by the area community. Those that live in the local community may also be able to inform you or any bad eggs living in the area.
For example, you may not enjoy living next to a bunch of teenagers who are constantly buzzing around your backyard on their jet ski’s while you are trying to enjoy a lazy afternoon in your canoe. Maybe you are the one that loves jet or water skiing and won’t want to bother the old man living next door. You should always have a good understanding of who you will be living with when sharing a lake home.
Properties of the lake
Another great question to ask when buying a lake home is what are the available amenities. If you are buying property on a lake, you should verify that it is a lake that you will gain enjoyment from. If you like to fish, check if the lake is good for fishing. If you like to swim, check if the water body supports swimming. Check the depth of the lake. Check if there is an unpleasant odor that comes from the lake. Are there mosquitoes? What one property owner finds enjoyable about a lake may not be the same as what someone else will find enjoyable.
Maintenance costs, if any
Because waterfront environments can cause increased wear on a structure, you can probably expect to pay extra for ongoing maintenance. You should ask what the yearly maintenance costs are, and consider those costs in your purchase. Things like pipes, attachments, roofs, and siding may all need to be replaced more regularly on a waterfront home. Even if you can afford to buy the home, can you afford to keep it up so that it remains a good investment and a dwelling that you can depend on?
Durability of the property
There is no guarantee that the builder of the home you are considering actually did his or her research before constructing the home. In many areas homes were built by people who purchased land and needed a place to live, not people who were following modern building codes or who had access to flood or weather predictions. Check if the property is strong enough to withstand hurricanes, environmental disasters and it can handle the wind that comes off of the water. You should definitely hire a home inspector to examine the home and let you know if there are any issues. Moist environments, particularly those around salt water, can cause deterioration in building materials in ways you might not be aware of. A good inspector can tell you if the home is built and maintained to last in its environment.
To make sure that you buy only the best Lake Keowee waterfront home, partner with waterfront realtors and specialists like Lake Keowee Real Estate. With experienced Lake Keowee real estate agents, even at the fairest and competitive prices, you will never run out of options.
