From: john@jbean.b29.ingr.com (John Bean)
Subject: Re: waterfront property
Keywords: Advantages/Drawbacks
Reply-To: b29!jbean!john@ingr.com
Organization: Intergraph Corporation
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 16:10:14 GMT

In article <1ahvi1INNanv@gilligan.East.Sun.COM>, mike@gilligan.East.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori) writes:
|> I'm looking at lake property, and I'd like to hear from people
|> out there that have waterfront property, and those with away
|> from the lake, but with access.
|> 

My father has lakefront property in Kentucky. I'll answer with his
experiences.

|> Specifically, I'd like to know about:
|> 
|> 1) How much actual advantage is there in waterfront versus
|>    away/lake access (I know what it means, I just want to
|>    know from somebody who has waterfront property how much
|>    real tangible advantage there is being next to the water).
|>    Any disadvantages?
|> 

It depends on the lake. Lakefront property on a lake where the
shoreline is a cliff would offer little in the way of access, but a 
good view. 

How much benefit a waterfront is also depends on what you can do with it.
At Lake Cumberland, the Corps of Engineers will not allow the land 20ft 
inland from the high waterline to be touched (to preserve the look of the 
lake). This is a "Good Thing", but don't plan on buying a treed waterfront 
and de-treeing it without checking out who controls it.

Also, if a developer makes a statement to you about what he will build --
get it in writing. The developer told the first several people who moved
into my father's subdivision that there would be a community dock in the
inlet below the subdivision. As it ends up, the Corps of Engineers will
not allow docks to be built within a certain range of existing commercial
dock (the developer knew this, of course). Since they are fairly close to a 
large dock, they don't have one of their own. They were also promised a paved 
road within 6 months of moving in. It was just put in last week-4 years later.

|> 2) How much better is the resale (on average)? Is it easier
|>    to sell waterfront, or back lot (When you have to move on)?
|>    How much average assessment value does waterfront add (based
|>    on a 1 acre plat)? (I know this may vary... I'm looking for
|>    "You can expect to pay XXX percent more in property taxes
|>    on waterfront property.").
|> 

Waterfront should be easy to sell anywhere. You have probably noticed,
however, the great difference in price between waterfront and close-to-water
properties. My father paid ~15K for kis waterfront lot, but the guy across the
street paid ~5K for his non-waterfront lot.

|> 3) What about bulkheads? Are they pretty high-maintenance items?
|>    What kinds do you have experience with? Which would you re-
|>    commend? Any tips that will help ease maintenance?
|> 
|> 4) Have you installed a launch ramp? What type of difficulty
|>    and expense does this present? Again, what are the mainten-
|>    ance issues/tips to lessen problems?
|
> 
See above -- make sure that you can actually build one where you want to.

|> 5) What type of pier or dock do you use? Is it best to use the
|>    community-provided one, or build one of your own?
|> 
|> 6) What about security of the home while you are away? Is vac-
|>    ation home robbery pretty typical? What have you seen or done
|>    to combat this problem?
|> 

Haven't had any real trouble with this yet. His house is quite a ways off
the beaten path, and now there are a few people who are living there
full-time, so there are not too many people around. We have caught several
couples "parked" in the driveway, though. He figures that there
is not much he can do with an alarm system (since he lives 5 hours away),
so he just insures everying, and doesn't leave anything of great value around.

|> As you can see, I'm pretty much a virgin with this vacation place
|> thing, and I'd like to make intelligent choices, if possible.
|> 

They would never give up their vacation home. They already have plans to
add on to it so that they can retire there. 

|> Thanks -- Mike
|> 

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= John Bean							     =
= Intergraph Corp, Huntsville AL	john@jbean.b29.ingr.com	     =
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