Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living - Issue 3 | Page 61

This is one time you should definitely
judge a book by its cover, that
being the waterfront and the lot. Ask
yourself new questions - Does the
water view make you feel like pulling
up a chair and just relaxing? Does the
waterfront lot have the “OH WOW”
factor? (You’ll know it when you see
it.) Does the waterfront have the
water access you are looking for?
(Call me and we can discuss this in
detail.) *Note to waterfront sellers understanding this paragraph can be
critical when marketing your property
and getting top dollar!
Navigable Water: Even if you are not
a boater, this is a significant factor in
pricing and evaluating a waterfront
property. It is important to
understand how a waterfront
property is affected by the body of
water on which it is located, and the
desirability (or lack of) based on the
location and navigation access. If
boating is a major factor in your home
search, then it is critical that your
realtor understand exactly what your
present AND future requirements are
concerning the type and size of your
boat.

Shoreline and Erosion: Just like your
house needs a good foundation, your
waterfront needs a good shoreline. Is
the shoreline in good condition? What
type of erosion control does the
property have, and is the property in
good condition? What types of
erosion control are currently
acceptable? Waterfront is a great
investment; the best way to protect
that investment is to maintain a
healthy shoreline. This is often
overlooked when previewing a
waterfront property.
Critical Area Regulations: There
are too many issues to go into detail
here. There are always questions
when viewing properties. Work with
an experienced professional who has
heard all of the questions. I’m not
saying I know all the answers, but I
can certainly help you find them. The
most common questions: Can I cut that
tree down? Can I build a pier? Can I
install a pool? Can I build on the lot?
The answer: Every lot and situation is
different. I cringe every time I hear
an agent tell their client, “Sure you
can. It’s your lot!” It’s not that easy,

but it’s also not that hard if you know
where to get your answers!
I can go on and on, but I have to
save some info for the next magazine!
If you have any questions, please
don’t hesitate to contact me.
Dennis Thompson has specialized
in buying and selling waterfront
property for more than a decade.
If you are interested in
waterfront property, contact
Dennis: