8 Tips for Selling a Waterfront Property

One thing is certain in Missouri and Illinois: we love spending summers on the water. So whether you’re selling a lake house at Innsbrook or in the Ozarks, or a cottage on the river in Grafton, chances are that buyers will be lining up to take a look. 

But because waterfront properties are in such high demand, yours will need to have all the bells and whistles to beat out competing homes. Hiring a realtor knowledgeable in the lake house market can help, and we’ve compiled a list to help you prepare before putting your home on the market.

1. Provide a Breathtaking View

Keep in mind that buyers will come to your home with one thing in mind: water. When they’re inside the home, they should be able to see it through unobstructed, unsmudged windows. Make sure window treatments don’t close off the view. And be sure to clean windows before showings begin, and if you have very large windows that are hard to clean, consider hiring a company to wash them.

Views from the outside should also impress. If buyers are standing on the deck trying to see the water, their view shouldn’t be blocked by foliage or a rusty shed. Even if it means cutting down a bush or removing an old building, the more open the view is, the more impressed the buyer will be.

2. Make Lakeside Safety Repairs

People come to a lake house to relax; not to fix things. In addition to the usual repairs that need to be made before selling a home, take a close look at the dock and replace any rotted boards. If it’s in really bad shape, replacing the whole thing may be the best option to impress buyers. And because getting to the lake from the house should look effortless (and safe), any broken stepping stones or loose stair rails will need to be fixed. Consider also adding lighting along the path or stairway to get to the lake at night.

3. Improve the Lakeside Landscape 

Curb appeal is essential as buyers pull in the driveway, so the front yard shouldn’t be neglected. But curb appeal is also important when approaching the water, which means weeds need to be pulled and bushes and flowers should be well-groomed. You should also consider planting ground cover that minimizes erosion and doesn’t require mowing on a steep incline. Creeping juniper, ivy, or native grasses, for example, are low maintenance and stabilize the soil with their roots. 

4. Show Off the Outdoor Living Space

When selling a lake house, staging the outside is just as important as it is on the inside. You will want to show buyers a gathering area on the deck or patio where they can entertain, enjoy dinner al fresco, or just take in the view. If you don’t already have a nice lounge set or outdoor dining table, your agent or a professional stager can help. String some twinkly lights for added ambiance, and you’ve got an extended living space where buyers can picture spending balmy evenings outdoors. 

5. Highlight Water Activities

If your property offers access to a stocked lake or is perfect for kayaking, make it obvious. Paddleboards, jet skis, fishing poles, and anything else that can be used on the water can all be placed on the dock so buyers can see the possibilities. Just make sure to let your realtor know all of the rules if you have a shared or public lake. 

6. Lay Out All the Answers About Water Use

Selling a waterfront property means passing all the laws and rules that you’ve had to follow on to the next owner. They will need to know important information such as:

• The depth of the water
• The size of boats allowed
• Permitting requirements for docks and piers
• Easements on the property that prohibit or limit water access 
• State littoral rights, which apply to a property owner’s use of a shared non-flowing body of water (lakes and ponds)
• State riparian rights, which apply to a property owner who has land abutting a river, stream, or other running body of water
• Flood insurance requirements, which are a must for some mortgage lenders for lakefront properties

Real estate agents will ask to see a title that includes easements and any other information about water access and local laws.

7. Consider Spraying for Bugs Before Listing

Insects are drawn to the damp environment near waterfront homes, so it’s not uncommon to see spiders, beetles, flies, and ants. Wasps may also build nests around decks and wooden docks. If you haven’t already made friends with a pest control company, now is the time to hire one. The last thing you want is for buyers to be stung or turned away by creepy crawlies. However, make sure the property is sprayed well before any showings, as certain pest control products could drive bugs out of hiding.

8. Work With an Agent Who Has Experience Selling Waterfront Properties

The great thing about selling a lake house with a realtor who has knowledge of waterfront property is that we think like lake home buyers. We know what these types of properties are worth, what buyers are willing to pay, and how to stage and photograph the homes so they look amazing online. We also know specific neighborhood regulations regarding water activities and all of the necessary rules and disclosures required to sell waterfront properties. 

If you have a lakefront home for sale and are ready to sell it for top dollar, contact the experts at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties.