Anyone who isn’t confused really doesn’t understand the situation.
Edward R. Murrow, Broadcast Journalist, 1908 – 1965
No joke: The issues concerning waterfront property are many, and involve laws, regulations and building codes at the Federal, state, and local levels. The details are quite bewildering, but the potential effects on you and your plans are easy to grasp!
Will you be able to use the property as you wish? Add that dock? Dredge? Construct a pool or addition? Remove or trim shoreline vegetation? For that matter, has any non-complying construction been done by previous owners – construction which, as a new owner, you could be held responsible for correcting at great expense (or which could detract significantly from the value of the property)?
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
You could spend a career trying to understand the issues … fortunately, we have access to someone who already has devoted a career to them. David Levin is a local attorney specializing in the issues of waterfront real estate, and we rely on him to make sure that you find out all you should know, BEFORE the closing, so you can negotiate appropriately and avoid unpleasant surprises.
David also maintains an informative website at www.flwaterfront.com where he outlines the many questions to ask and “red flags” to watch out for.
BoatsAndWaterfront.com 