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Water View Property-To see, or not to see...That is the Question?

By
Real Estate Agent with Robert Paul Properties

Have you ever read the description of an amazing home promising water views only to ascertain on arrival that it involves looking through the windows of the waterfront home across the street?  Better yet, the views are evident during one season and then gone the next?  Presto! You've just witnessed the incredible disappearing view.  I thought a little interpretation of the language might be in order.  Take a look at a few of the terms below and see if anything looks familiar.

  • The "Distant" view:  This view involves using a highly powered optical device to determine whether or not that blue line on the horizon is water or just a visible Windex streak.
  • The "Seasonal Peak" view:  This view involves looking through a forest in the dead of winter to see your water only to find that it is substituted by foliage and poison ivy for the remaining three seasons.
  • The "Unfinished Attic" view:  This view has you climbing over the Christmas decorations and Dad's Radio Flyer only to arrive at what you might describe as more of a porthole than a window to see your water.
  • The "Room with a View" view:  This view involves a view that can only been seen by entering a bathroom, walk-in closet with a window or by leaning up against a wall at an extreme angle while straining to look out the closest window.
  • The "From the Lot" view:  This view involves travelling to some suspect location on the lot like the back corner behind the shed to see your water.

I could go on and on, but all jokes aside, this type of advertising borders on questionable misrepresentation.  This type of description is likely to leave your Buyers wondering, rather that wanting.  Note:  This also includes photos taken in a highly zoomed fashion.  (You're looking a bit guilty).  I know it's tempting as water views do increase the potential selling price of a home, but let's make an effort to represent the properties to the Buyers in a way that better reflects what they are actually getting. I should note that I have been guilty of some of these in the past, but I have vowed to change my evil ways :)

Just a few of many, and I'm sure you could think of a dozen of your own!

 

Looking to purchase water view or waterfront property on Cape Cod?  Email me at mhansen@c21shoreland.com and I'll assist you in finding views that you will really love.

Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

 

HAH! I must admit, we have used the "Seasonal" water view blurb, but it was from the main living area of the house! I think that one, at least, is self-explanatory and actually tells you what you need to know before showing!

Mar 02, 2008 01:04 AM
Kim Sellers
Lake Arrowhead, CA Coldwell Banker - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Lake Arrowhead Realtor - BRE#01412099 - Lake Arrow

Boy, you nailed it on the head.  Agents in my area are notorious for stating lake view, when it should say "strained eye view through the pine trees"... If it isn't a view don't say it is...

Kim Kelley

Mar 02, 2008 01:21 AM
Rick Tourgee
Robert Paul Properties, Inc. - Provincetown, MA
Provincetown and Cape Cod
Hey Mark!  Good post!  I am always so careful when writing anything about a water-view.  This way when the Buyer shows up, there are not disappointed!
Mar 02, 2008 02:28 AM
Tara Stone
eXp Realty - Alexandria Township, NJ
NJ Estates and Stables

Thanks, this post made me laugh...I just hear myself saying..."see if you stand here in the 2nd floor bathroom and tilt your head to the right and imagine that those braches weren't there..See THERE'S THE WATER."

Jun 27, 2008 04:47 AM