A lot of people have the dream of living by the sea or the lake. Water has a naturally calming property, so who wouldn’t want that for their home? However, it’s not as easy as getting just any home and putting it on the water. It takes a lot of considerations, especially if you plan on taking a boat out onto the water. Here are a few of the things you need to worry about.
Know everything you need to know about the area
When you’re talking about a waterfront property, you’re talking about a lot of different environments. First, there’s the difference between a lakefront or coastal home. Even with lakefront homes, alone, there’s a plenty to consider about different environments. Make sure you know everything about that environment before you move in. Get to know what the bottom of the lake is made of, how busy it gets and what mosquito season is like. Otherwise, you might find yourself having your share of unpleasant surprises down the line.
The matter of energy
We all know that water does things with heat, meaning that your home is going to be at the mercy of different temperatures than most other kinds of houses. The costs of a waterfront home, including taxes, can already pretty hefty. You don’t need sky-high energy bills adding to your woes. So you need to take every opportunity to make your home more energy efficient. Insulation, caulking and weather stripping are just the beginning. Many beachfront homes use glass walls, not just for style, but because they allow plenty of natural light and heat in the home.
Taking care of the pier
If you plan on taking a boat out from that home, then you have a whole other concern to worry about. Getting a pier isn’t just as simple as fitting it in and then never touching it again. CYou might need to repair the pier every now and then. Or even uninstall and reinstall it depending on the different seasons. Make sure you know all there is to know about looking after pier before getting one fit.
Forces of nature
Heat isn’t the only thing that is influenced by living by the water. The weather itself is very different. Wind and rain can be a lot stronger, leading to concerns about water damage. This means that protecting the home from the forces of nature is an important consideration in any building or renovation you plan on doing. Get to know the materials you should be using. With the beach, you also have the risk of salt in the air. Don’t underestimate the weather around any kind of waterfront area.
Just as it brings many opportunities, a waterfront home also brings with it a fair share of risks. We hope this article helps you mitigate those risks and enjoy the kind of home you’ve always wanted.
