Waterfront
What to Know Before Buying Waterfront Property in Clear Lake
The house is maybe half the purchase. The other half is water, elevation, bulkhead, dock and insurance.
Waterfront buyers fall in love from the back porch. Experienced waterfront buyers walk the bulkhead first.
Ask about the water itself
- Water depth at the dock at low tide, and whether it silts in
- Open-bay exposure versus protected canal
- Bridge and channel clearance for your boat
- Current and past dredging arrangements
Ask about the structures
- Bulkhead age, material, condition and who is responsible for it
- Dock, lift and pier condition, permits and remaining life
- Elevation of the finished floor relative to the base flood elevation
- Whether prior repairs were permitted
Ask about cost of ownership
- Flood insurance and windstorm coverage quotes before you go under contract
- Historical flooding at the specific address, not just the neighborhood
- HOA rules about docks, lifts, rentals and boat storage
- Property taxes and ongoing waterfront maintenance
Fred's role
Fred is an experienced waterfront Realtor and a boater — not an insurance agent, engineer, surveyor or floodplain official. What he does is make sure the right questions get asked early and get answered by the right professionals before your option period runs out.
This article is general education, not legal, tax, insurance, financial or engineering advice. Please confirm details with qualified professionals and the appropriate local authorities before making a decision.