Buying waterfront property can be complex and you should work with an agent who is familiar with this type of investing. The following are four concerns when it comes to the inspection on a lake front home.
Four Inspection Concerns on Lake Front Homes
1) Have the inspector check the slope and terrain of the property for proper drainage of rain water away from the home. This is even more important when living where the soil is already moist from being near a lake.
If you have a dock, get that inspected too for sagging or any other problems. You might be able to get the seller to finance any repairs or replacements.
2) Purchasing a home with a septic tank? The septic system needs to be inspected to ensure that it’s being properly serviced and that no waste is leaking into the soil or lake. Additionally, once you own the home, make certain to have the tank pumped out every two years to prevent back ups and run offs into the lake.
3) Check for buggy bothers and wood damage. If termite damage is discovered on the inspection, you can have the seller pay for it before the deal goes through. Or you might find wood damage which might be caused by moisture traveling up from the lake to the house through the soil resulting in mold. Mold eats structures and is hazardous to your health as well.
4) Has your house been swimming? An inspector will be able to tell if the house has flooded and if it happens often. Flood waters cause a lot of damage to electrical systems, foundations, wood and can also cause mold. These damages can be quite severe and extremely expensive to fix.
If the home has signs of flooding you should probably just walk away from it. If you’re considering raising the home, and it’s possible and you’re willing to pay the hefty price to do it, talk to surveyors and contractors. Many water front home owners are now raising their homes because they want to remain where they are, but need to prevent future flooding.
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