7 Tips for Buying a Home Near the Water

While homes on the water have long been popular, the pandemic appears to have increased demand.

According to Redfin, a North American real-estate brokerage and research company, waterfront properties were 4.2 percent of all home sales in North America in August, a half percentage-point rise compared with last August.

But that number includes properties in cities. For homes in nonurban destinations, Daryl Fairweather, Redfin’s chief economist, said the increase was almost certainly higher.

“Since Covid, home buyers are seeking waterfront residences outside of cities in more remote places,” she said. “They want space and freedom to be out without being around too many people.”

Before the pandemic, for example, The Residences at Gurney’s Montauk in New York had eight properties for sale, all from $4 million to $7 million. By August, one was left.

“Pre-Covid, we sold an average of three or four homes a year, and all of a sudden we had a big jump,” said George Filopoulos, the founding principal of Metrovest Equities, the developer of Gurney’s.

From an international perspective, Sergio Llach, president of Dominican Republic Sotheby’s International Realty, said sales of waterfront homes for his company had increased 50 percent throughout the country since the pandemic.

If you’re shopping for waterfront property, here are some factors to consider:

Watch Out for Overpricing

Mr. Filopoulos said buyers interested in waterfront homes had the advantage for more than six years because of more supply than demand. Today, however, with sales of his properties up, sellers have the upper hand. So properties may be priced higher than they should be. Mr. Filopoulos suggested looking at the 10-year sales history of the resort community or neighborhood in which you want to buy to see price trends (a broker should be able to provide this).

“While prices are bound to increase with growing demand, a 5- to 10-percent rise each year is a sign of a healthy appreciating market,” he said. “Anything more is too much.”

What Is the Beach or Lake Access?

Neal Sroka, a real estate consultant who has overseen the development of several waterfront resort communities, said buyers should know that many beaches are public, even if they’re within resort communities. If privacy is a concern, consider how easy it is for nonresidents to access the beach. Public parking, footpaths from the street to the beach and busy roads around the area are signs that the beach is convenient to visit.

“Some beaches in upscale communities and neighborhoods tend to get busy with people who don’t live there, which can mean loud noise and crowds,” Mr. Sroka said.

Lakefront properties are generally more private and usually in neighborhoods or communities with limited public access.

Consider Health and Cleanliness Standards and Privacy

Health and security are important when buying a waterfront home.

If you’re looking at residences in a resort community with a hotel, you have access to amenities, including restaurants and a pool, but community living comes with more people and common spaces. Mr. Filopoulos said some resorts allowed outsiders to access these amenities for a fee to generate revenue. Ideally, he said, the community should have a private beach for residents.

Also, find out about health and cleaning protocols. Common spaces should be cleaned multiple times a day, and beach furniture and toys should be cleaned and disinfected each time they’re used. Hand sanitizers and masks should be readily available, and staff members should be wearing masks. They should also have temperature checks daily before being allowed to work and be required to have regular Covid-19 testing.

How Swimmable is the Body of Water?

A waterfront property doesn’t mean you can actually swim in the water, said Mr. Llach, of Dominican Republic Sotheby’s realty. “In some bodies of water, the ebb and flow of the tide create conditions that are challenging for even the most experienced of swimmers,” he said. If taking a dip is important to you, look for a property near light water currents that accommodate swimming.

Be Aware of the Change in Water Levels

It’s important to ensure that the body of water you’re near has somewhat constant levels of water. With beachfront purchases, Mr. Sroka suggested visiting during high and low tides. With some high-tide properties, the water can come very close to the home, leaving it susceptible to flooding. Low tide, on the other hand, can make for an unattractive view of dirt, debris and litter.

Water levels can also vary strikingly with lakefront properties, although the changes happen seasonally through the year, as opposed to each day. Inquire with your broker and prospective neighbors about what the lake looks like from month to month. “During the rainy season, it could be gorgeous and full, but during drier months, it could have virtually no water,” Mr. Sroka said.

Consider Potential Storm Damage

Severe storms and hurricanes are a risk, but some properties are more prone to damage than others. As appealing it may be to have a water view, Mr. Sroka advised against buying a home directly on a beach, lake, bay or river because it’s vulnerable to flooding during storms. Seek property at a higher elevation or set far away from the water instead.

Also, the home should be able to withstand high winds. This is especially important for new construction, which may not have withstood severe weather. If you’re serious about a purchase, Mr. Sroka said, you could bring in a home inspector or engineer to assess the home’s structural durability. This service is often part of the home inspection before the closing, but you can request it earlier.

Know How the Home is Positioned in Relation to the Sun

Buyers should not overlook how a home is oriented, Mr. Llach said. In destinations with warm year-round weather, such as the Caribbean, a desirable home faces south and east because it gets morning sunlight and breezes throughout the day, resulting in comfortable temperatures. Properties oriented west get sun in the afternoon, which means that enjoying outdoor areas is more challenging. “The sun will be searing, especially in the summer,” he said.

Homes in markets with shorter summers, such as the South of France, Mr. Llach said, should ideally have western exposure because they stay warmer throughout the year.