A waterfront home is really two properties: the house and the waterfront. Each needs its own inspection and its own line in the price.
- What defines it
- Homes built around the water, with boats, docks and harbor views.
- Typical properties
- Houses, townhomes and condominiums in the Coronado Cays and along the bay.
- Where you find them
- Mainly in the Coronado Cays, with some bay-front homes elsewhere on the island.
- An agent checks
- What dock or slip conveys, seawall condition, association rules and waterfront insurance.
How an agent values one
Comparable sales should be waterfront homes with similar frontage, dock arrangements and views. A private dock, a slip that conveys and the condition of the seawall can all affect value.
What gets checked
- What conveys. Confirm in writing whether a dock or slip is included and on what terms.
- Seawall and dock condition. Ask for a marine inspection in addition to the home inspection.
- Association rules. Restrictions on vessels, docks and use of waterways.
- Insurance. Get quotes early, since requirements differ from inland properties.
Marketing
These homes are sold to a specific kind of buyer. Photography from the water and clear documentation of dock and seawall details help.
For sellers
Collect any dock permits, maintenance records and marine inspection reports before you list.
For buyers
Have specialists look at the waterfront features. A boat that fits today may not fit the slip you need.
Other home types
- Historic Cottages and Victorians — Older homes with character, and the permit and preservation questions that come with them.
- Village Single-Family Homes — The core of the market: detached houses on small lots close to Orange Avenue.
- Oceanfront Condominiums — High-rise living on the sand, where the association matters as much as the unit.
- Townhomes and Village Condominiums — Low-maintenance homes near Orange Avenue, and what buyers should learn about the association.
- Single-Story and Mid-Century Homes — Ranch-style and mid-century homes, many updated, in the quieter northwest of the island.
General information only. Boundaries are informal and details change, so confirm specifics for any property you consider.