Is your dream to build a waterfront custom home?

For many people, building on waterfront property is the ultimate dream home. Is there anything more awe-inspiring than the glistening water on a sun soaked day viewed from your dream home waterfront property? The tranquility of the water, whispering breezes, and the satisfaction of enjoying it all from your waterfront home is something special.

While the prospect is mezmerizing, and building on waterfront property is more complicated than building elsewhere. There are some important considerations that you will want to get right to make your dream homebuilding project run smoothly.

Here are 10 Tips for Building Your Waterfront Custom Home:

1. You’ll need specialits reviews of your lot, including soil, stability, flood plains and geotechincal reports. A study of the soil, slope conditions and erosion history are essential.
2.  Check the zoning restrictions for your waterfront lot for your “allowable lot coverage.” Most government jurisdictions have a limit for what you can build on your property including the home, driveway and any decks you may be planning.
3.  Determine your septic system needs for the property. You’ll need a septic designer to determine what type of wastewater treatment system and drainage plan that you will need.
4. Review any restrictions that affect the shoreline. You’ll want to know if ther are RPA’s (resource protection areas) or tidal wetlands on the property and what tyoe of activity is permitted in those zones.
5. Know any restrictions on clearing or thinning trees to enhance or maintain your view. Your waterfront view is why you want to build in the first place. Be sure you know buffere requirements as well as clearing or thinning or trees.
6. Inspect any existing sea walls or buldheads to determine if they have been properly maintained.
7. Find out what you can do with the property. If you want to make changes like adding a dock, or building a sea wall, be sure you know what alterations will be possible on your property.
8. Understand water depths, tides and channels. If you are a boater, these things are essential. Investigate the depths andn tides to be sure they will accomodate your boat and that you will always be able to get your boat out. Knowing the nearby channels and any sand bars is also essential information.
9. Talk to neighbors. They will have insider information about the neighborhood and any issues you may encounter.
10. Get to know your responsibilities as a waterfront homeowner. If there is a homeowners association, find out about the conditions, covenants and restrictions (CC&R’s).

Waterfront Home Builder Expertise

Devonshire Custom Homes has the experience to help you realize your waterfront home dream and address these considerations. We have built luxury waterfront homes on Davis Island, Snell Isle, Coffee Pot Bayou, the Bay and the Gulf Waterways.