Florida Waterfront and Florida Waterfront Property

Most people think of beaches and the coast when they think of Florida waterfront property, and they would be right. However, waterfront property does not only consist of the beach, you also have the option of purchasing Florida waterfront property on lakes, canals and rivers. Plus, there are saltwater canals that run into the Atlantic ocean, freshwater canals that flow into a lake or chain of lakes or into rivers. Regardless, Florida waterfront property is highly sought after because no matter where you want to live, waterfront views are stunning and Florida is a great place to live.

Florida became a part of the US in 1822; however, it did not become a state until 1845. For some time, there was some confusion about where Florida began and ended and the Orleans Territory (not yet New Orleans) and the Mississippi Territory both had a claim on part of the land. However, when Florida became a state the annexed areas were given back to Florida.

Florida very quickly because a tourist destination and it was the City of Tampa that first capitalized on the slew of people who wanted to spend time at Florida’s beaches. The Tampa Bay Hotel was a popular spot and even President Cleveland and his wife vacationed there. The population growth in Florida exploded as thousands upon thousands of people realized that there were jobs to be had in Florida and the tourism industry was going to make the Sunshine State the hot place to be.

Choosing the Right Florida Waterfront Property

So it has been established that there are many different types of waterfront property. Perhaps that leaves you scratching your head wondering what type of waterfront property that you should purchase. The key here is to narrow down your choices by determining what you want and what you don’t want from the area that you live in. What’s more, you may be more limited by where you work, what type of schools you want for your kids (if it applies), or what your spouse wants if you are married.

First of all, you must know that there are pros and cons to living in any area. For example, beachfront homes do experience a lot of ambient noise from the ocean, from birds and from people on the beach. Many people have no issue with any of these sounds; however, if you want peace and quite, then you may want to consider a lake or riverfront property that does not have nearly the ambient noise that you will experience at the ocean.

On the other hand, living on the beach offers many rewards, the biggest one being that the beach is simply beautiful. In addition, if you love the sounds of the surf, and many people do, then coastal ocean living is right for you. The views while living on the beach can be quite stunning and many people have found that they spend more time outside than they do inside when they live on beachfront property.

One thing that you have to consider if you are thinking about purchasing beachfront property is that it is not an inexpensive venture. Beachfront property can cost millions of dollars in premium locations, so do your research, look for the bargains that are out there right now as so many people are trying to unload their property and homes.

You also have the option of the east coast of Florida versus the west coast of Florida. Ask anyone who lives on the east coast and they will tell you it’s the best. The same thing applies if you ask someone who lives on the west coast of Florida. Again, it is really all about preference and where you need to be as well. The east coast is home to cities such as Miami, Hobe Sound, Ft. Lauderdale, Daytona and Jacksonville. The west coast boasts cities like Naples, Ft. Meyers, Tampa and Sarasota. All of these cities have lovely waterfront properties to choose from.

Lakes and rivers offer a different type of Florida waterfront living. Lakes and rivers tend to be the quieter option as far as ambient noise. Rather than the wind beating at the waves, you get the sound of water moving with the current. You may often experience a bit more privacy living on a lake or river, again depending on the spot that you choose.

One downside to Florida’s lakes and rivers are the mosquitoes; while this can be managed with the appropriate precautions (such as mosquito spray), you should be prepared for these pesky creatures, especially on days that experience high humidity. Also, do not forget about Florida’s gators. In the majority of cases, gators are more afraid of you than you are of them, make a bit of noise and they tend to run or swim in the opposite direction. However, if the thought of a gator makes you feel squeamish, then you may want to seriously consider your Florida waterfront property ideas.

What to Consider when Searching for Florida Waterfront Property

Now that you have decided what type of Florida waterfront property you want to live around and you have decided where in Florida you are going to live, you now need to decide whether to purchase a home up front or have one build. The housing market is such right now that purchasing an already built home might be more economical; however, if you have your heart set on a custom home, then by all means you should go for it.

There are a couple of things that you should know before you purchase Florida waterfront property. First of all, there are very strict guidelines about building on property that has an endangered species living on it. Before you build, ensure that it is properly inspected for any wildlife. For example, if a Bald Eagles nest is found on the land, you will not be allowed to build.

Secondly, wetlands are very important in Florida. You can build on land with wetlands on it as long as you pay to have new wetlands developed elsewhere. This can be costly, so if you cannot afford this added expense, then skip property with this precious commodity.

Lastly, it rains in Florida and quite a lot too. Anytime you build on the Florida waterfront, you should find out what the flood levels are in that area and have your home built to rise above that established amount. Typically, FEMA has guidelines for each area; you just want to ensure that your contractor knows what they are for the area that you are building in.

Buying Your Florida Waterfront Property

There is no doubt that Florida is a gorgeous state. There is water everywhere and it stays green nearly year round making it lush and beautiful. Choosing to live in Florida is a great decision for many. The decision to purchase waterfront property, whether it is to live there year round or for your vacation home, can also be a smart move while property values are down—they won't remain there forever. Now is a good time to buy, not only is it a fantastic long-term investment, you are going to have a wonderful place to live.