Charlotte Communities

Home          Community and Relocation Info       Ready to Move Homes     Condos        E-mail                        

About Our Schools

Great Business and Family Charlotte Links

Let's Look at Some Homes! All Homes.  

Lets Look at Neighborhood Real Estate*

Weddington   Waxhaw

Matthews    Huntersville

Mooresville   Concord

Cornelius (Lake N area)

S Charlotte 28277

SW Charlotte 28278

Let's Look at Some Condos

*After a brief look around you will be asked to provide your name and e-mail. It is safe and won't be sold to anyone.

    a south Charlotte Home

Matthews Presbyterian Hospital

Investors

Real Estate Library

Real Estate News

Search Luxury Homes

Purchasing a lot, or a home, on the water can be a confusing process for someone who has never owned waterfront property before. I am writing this article to give you an introduction to what the issues and concerns are, and what an experienced waterfront purchaser would look for.  This would apply at Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, or down at the beach.

Location, Location, Location- is still the key to waterfront real estate, but now the prime spot is as viewed from the water! Do you want the cove or the big water view of the main channel?  Each has its advantages and disadvantages.  The cove or canal lot usually has a much more limited view (obviously canal lots the most limited) but has the advantage of privacy and seclusion you don't usually get on a main channel. But if your main desire is to have a room with a view, or all of the rooms have a view, then the main channel or even a peninsula on the main channel may be for you!  Be advised, on the main channel there will be more boat traffic and jet skis. (Lake N and Lake W)

How does waterfront land price and appreciate? There are no set answers here, each situation is different, but here are the underlying principles... scarcity is the biggest factor in appreciation.  And what do people generally want on the water? Deep water access with big water views... so the priciest are large tracts with deep water access and big water views. Next might be the deep water access and a good water view, or a big water view on the coast... At the lake  the waterfront prices are generally as follows, from highest to lowest: access/big water,  access/smaller water, no access/big water view and no access/water view.  From most scarce to least scarce.  Warning, interior lots at these same communities, without the views or docks, appreciate on a totally different level than the four categories of waterfront above for precisely the same reason: they are NOT scarce.  This applies even in communities with lake access.

Water Depth- Be certain that the depth supports your boat. Sounds obvious, but it isn't always and accurate information can be hard to find. Hint: information from the Real Estate agent is not enough. If your sail boat draw 3', I'd like to know you had 5. In tidal areas, these are low tide numbers! And don't forget, winter depths are much lower in Lake Norman!

Property Lines- Get and refer to a survey top be certain where your property rights start and stop.  Lake lots have a shoreline easement, typically 50' but in some cases more,  all oceanfront lots end at the  high tide line. And some surveys will show you own some of the water--though in most cases you do not.

Is it a pier or a dock? The words are often used interchangeably but they have definite meanings to lake people! The pier is the fixed portion of the gangway- typically a deck material supported by pylons going into the lake bed. The dock floats, is attached to the pier and can be removed for service if necessary.  If your property has a dock, it will need to be inspected for condition. If it does not, you must thoroughly check to see what kind of dock you can build on your home site. Duke Power controls both of our local Lakes and can be reached at 704-382-8086.

Besides pier restrictions are there any other important restrictions I need to know about? I mentioned the 50' buffer but recently Duke power added another twist.  In an effort to combat erosion, they require that trees at the waterline-- first 10' from the shore, be left in place.  This has an impact on a lot of water views...

Call me, 704-847-38, or e-mail me when it is time to start looking.  We'll go over these issues and more in trying to find you that perfect home or home site.