Waterfront property: Navigating the waters with expert advice

Are you looking to buy a prime waterfront property? A professional property search agent can help to make this dream a reality.

Waterside properties are highly sought after due to their stunning views and peaceful surroundings. Lakeside, seafront, and riverside properties are among the most popular options for those looking to purchase a home on the water’s edge. Each has its own unique charm and appeal, making it important to consider what type of waterside property is right for you.

Why choose a waterfront property?

Living near expanses of water brings a multitude of lifestyle benefits. The scenic beauty of lakes and rivers is a haven for wildlife and great for outdoor activities. With everything from water sports to more tranquil endeavours such as fishing or leisurely walks, you will be encouraged to explore these stunning surroundings.

The coastline with its dramatic sea views can offer a livelier waterside experience. Coastal towns and villages have a real community feel and often, especially in harbour towns, the pubs and restaurants will serve locally caught fish adding to your authentic seaside experience.

Britain has a treasure trove of idyllic waterfront settings, along our extensive coastline or beside the myriad rivers, lakes, and even canals.

And the prices of many of those waterfront properties – which can be as much as 81% higher than comparable inland properties – continue to reflect both past and current demand for the finest examples.

Deciding the waterside setting for you?

One of the first questions the property search agents are likely to ask is why you want to buy a waterfront property in particular. Your answer will help them determine the waterside setting that best suits the lifestyle you are aspiring to. Waterfront properties are often considered the epitome of luxury living, each offering its own unique ambiance and lifestyle opportunities.

Coastal locations

If you specify a coastal location, for instance, it might be because you want to live close to the marina where your yacht is berthed. After enjoying a day at sea with your guests, you might want the opportunity to retire to your residence, where the entertaining can continue.

Or perhaps you want to enjoy Cornwall’s rugged landscape and listen to the waves crashing from a cottage overlooking the sea. Seafront homes boast expansive views and direct access to open waters, presenting a dynamic environment with the rhythmic sounds of the ocean.

River settings

Alternatively, you might crave an altogether quieter life – perhaps the nostalgic romantic in you conjures up peaceful riverside settings as illustrated by Kenneth Grahame in the Wind in the Willows for example. Or perhaps you’ve always had a yearning to step back in time to the rural watery idyll painted by John Constable in his iconic Hay Wain.

Riverfront residences, provide a tranquil escape where the flowing river adds a sense of constant renewal and energy.

Ideal for individuals who appreciate the natural ecosystem and the activities a river can offer.

Lakeside

If it’s English literature that has inspired your love of a lakeside life, perhaps you were won over by The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott or even Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons.

Lakefront properties cater to those seeking the tranquillity of a still water setting combined with recreational possibilities, from swimming to water sports. The enclosed nature of a lake promotes a close-knit community feel.

Canal living

You may be looking for the beauty and flexibility of living near a canal. With 2,000 miles of canals flowing across England and Wales passing through towns and cities and out into glorious countryside, there are a variety of location types to choose from close to these waters.

Canal-front homes offer the charm of water-influenced living with the convenience of urban life. They attract those who enjoy the picturesque and serene backdrop of waterways but do not wish to forgo the proximity to urban amenities.

Navigating Legal Waters: Understanding Ownership and Rights

Of course, while living by the water seems idyllic, as with buying any property, there are some considerations.

Flooding and erosion

Among the major considerations is the risk of flooding – either from unusually high tides or swollen river courses. You might research the risks yourself by visiting the government website, but property search agents may be able to offer more comprehensive and exhaustive insights into any past, current, or future problems.

If you are planning to live on the coast, then researching the shoreline’s history (and understanding its future too) will also highlight whether the property could have issues in the future – either with the property getting closer to the shore if water levels go up. Or, if water levels go down, ending up further from the shore.

Property condition

Waterfront properties, irrespective of their location by the sea, river, lake, or canal, are subject to specific maintenance challenges. These include environmental wear such as saltwater corrosion, heightened exposure to the elements, and potential water damage.

It is imperative for such properties to be constructed with robust materials and maintained diligently to address these challenges effectively. Because of high moisture levels, the exterior of the property (and rooms below ground level such as a cellar) need to be inspected carefully for signs of damage caused by salt, mildew, and mould.

It is advisable for buyers to commission comprehensive property surveys that specifically investigate flood history and any indications of ground movement or subsidence. Proactive identification and management of these issues can substantially reduce future financial liabilities and ensure peace of mind in your waterfront residence.

Legal considerations

It is important to be aware of the intricacies of water rights, which determine the extent to which you can use adjacent or encompassing water bodies. This includes understanding riparian rights in riverfront properties or littoral rights when it comes to the sea or large lakes, both of which can have significant implications for property value and usage.

Furthermore, you need to be aware of the property’s flood zone classification and the implications for insurance premiums and building restrictions. A comprehensive flood risk assessment can inform of future mitigation strategies and potential costs.

Research into the specific building regulations that apply to waterfront properties is also required. These regulations often include stringent codes concerning construction materials, setback requirements, and the environmental impact of any alterations or developments.

A proficient buying agent will ensure that their clients are apprised of these legal factors, aiding them to make informed decisions when considering the purchase of a waterfront property. It is advisable to collaborate with legal experts who specialise in environmental and property law to facilitate a thorough due diligence process.

Second home

If you are considering buying a prime waterfront property for use as a second or holiday home, do note that in some areas of the country, there are restrictions. For example, in parts of Northumberland, a restriction on new-build properties for use as second or holiday homes was introduced. 

Your buying agent will be able to check on these matters for you and provide guidance and advice.

Waterfront property: Associated costs

Financial planning for a waterfront home purchase requires meticulous budgeting and a keen understanding of the unique costs involved. It is paramount to allocate funds not only for the initial purchase price but also for the higher insurance premiums that typically accompany such properties due to increased exposure to environmental risks.

A comprehensive insurance plan should cover flood damage, a significant concern for waterfront homes, potentially requiring an additional policy depending on the location and history of the property.

Furthermore, buyers should account for the potential additional costs that waterfront properties incur. These can range from specialised maintenance to counteract the corrosive effects of a marine environment to higher property taxes often associated with premium waterfront locales.

It is prudent to include a contingency fund in the budget to cover unexpected expenses that may arise from the unique attributes of living close to water. Financial preparedness will undoubtedly enhance the enjoyment of your waterfront home, free from unforeseen financial strains.

The essential role of a property search agent in your search

So, you’ve decided that a priority for the next home you want to buy is a waterfront location. You might want it as your primary place of residence, as a second home or weekend getaway, as a premises you are looking to let to tenants or leaseholders, or as a property investment – the critical issue is its immediate and unrestricted access to the water.

How do you begin to look for your waterfront property?

Do you stand in front of the local estate agents’ windows waiting for waterfront property to appear or do you ask to be put on their mailing list? Either way, you could be in for a very long wait – if there are any at all, waterfront properties are likely to be few and far between.

And that depends on your making sure you have visited all the estate agents in the area – including those tucked away in the back streets of a town with which you are probably unfamiliar.

That’s not even to mention those waterfront properties that never make it into advertisements or listings on the open market – the demand for riverside and coastal views is buoyant and those properties do get snapped up very quickly.

How can a property search agent help?

Property search agents relieve you of any such element of chance or good luck. They are professionals – and they adopt a thoroughly professional attitude to finding precisely the property you want.

It is no hit-or-miss affair for them but rather an exhaustive search using their extensive knowledge of the local property market and a reliance on a broad network of professional contacts, conducted in a completely discreet way that preserves your anonymity as a buyer and cultivates your abiding trust in all that they do.

And all that they do is truly extensive – ranging from the search for suitable properties, negotiating on your behalf, securing any property to which you are committed, and following the entire transaction through to its acquisition.

Throughout it all, independent property search agents are there to offer timely advice, including any precautions or reservations you might have about buying a property so close to the waterfront.

Considering a waterfront property?

Whether you are looking to buy a waterfront property near the sea, on the banks of a river, on the shores of a lake or even fronting a quiet stretch of canal, call us here at Garrington Property Finders to discuss how we can help.