A Shore Deal: How to List Waterfront Properties
During the dog days of summer, there’s nothing better than waterfront real estate. Unlike most other properties, which tend to score their best sale prices by following school calendars, listings along the shore perform best if they hit the market in spring and early summer.
Show Off the Shore
We’ve written before about an agent who specializes in lake houses. Every aspect of her business is focused on appealing to the people in this market. Her listing signs? They have pictures of the docks for each property. This kind of detail adds extra value for her clients because anyone looking for a lake house wants to know what the access to the water looks like. She takes that into consideration, providing the answer before they even ask. She explains, “People who drive by and can’t see through the trees will know because it is on the sign.”
Understanding the details about the body of water and the property are essential. For those properties on the ocean, the distance to the water may not always be easy to understand based on the tides. Being able to confidently state the proximity to water — as well as explain the changes in shoreline based on high or low tide — will be imperative. Share the length of the waterfront property, types of access, and any restrictions or regulations for the waterway. For example, some rivers may not be deep enough for owners to build docks or there may be speed restrictions for boats.
Don’t forget to clean any windows in the home, because prospective buyers will be looking at the view.
Know Water Rights and Risks
A waterfront home will have certain rights that can change based on local or federal law. These rights can affect whether property owners can do things like cut down trees for better views or need to keep certain areas of the waterway clear for public access.
For lakefront or oceanfront homes, brush up on littoral rights; properties on rivers and streams will be governed by riparian rights.
Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about the nautical rights that could affect the listing. Your sellers may not always know, particularly if they haven’t undertaken any recent improvements to the property.
All properties near water have a higher risk of flooding and wind damage. When you’re listing waterfront homes, be sure to understand the flood danger. Share any history of flooding, flood zone status, and insurance requirements.
To learn more about flooding disclosures and flood plains, check out the NRDC’s Flood Disclosure Map and FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.
Market the Lifestyle, Not Just the Listing
When you’re representing a waterfront property, you’re helping someone new find their dream home or their home-away-from home. This place was someone’s vision — and it’s likely something they’ve wanted for a long time.
Don’t be shy about messaging the dream as well as the property. Remind them of the sunsets over the river, the daily swims, and the ability to look out the window and see the water. Waterfront homes are not just places to live — they are dreams come true for many people.
Do you have any tips for marketing waterfront properties? Share them with us on Facebook and Instagram! Want more content like this? Subscribe to our newsletter!