Buying Annapolis MD Waterfront

With over 500 miles of shoreline in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis MD there is a diverse range of waterfront homes to choose from. By thinking out your waterfront living dream you can narrow down your search but don't be surprised if it still takes you awhile to find that perfect waterfront home and location.  After all there is something magical about living on the water and you will know when that magic has called your name.
Here is a list to get your dream juices flowing

1. Year Round or 2nd Home- Many times a buyer is looking for a small quaint 2nd home. A place to escape the city and do a bit of sailing or power boating. Yet before they know it they have fallen in love with the area and want to live in their home year round. Keep in mind that may happen to you if you are thinking 2nd home so be prepared. 
2. Working on the Water- Becoming a boat Captain and taking parties out on fishing excursions is a dream come true for many a water person. If that is your dream then there are perfect areas of waterfront to make that dream come true and others that are not as fishing for a living friendly. Know whether that is something you would love to do.
3. A Boat or No Boat- Are you planning on having a boat to enjoy the water or just want the views? If a boat is the reason then what kind of boat? Our Annapolis waterways are different from area to area. Some too shallow for boats and better for kayaks or canoes. Some locations have bridges that must be navigated to get out to the bay. 
4. Waterways- Different waterways produce different types of 'water' traffic. As an example the South River is known as the power boat river due to the low bridges that sailboats can not get under. But the Severn River with it's high bridges makes perfect sailboat navigating.
5. Access to Water- Many waterfront homes have deep water, gorgeous views and clear access to the bay yet getting down to the water requires a slew of steps to navigate. Some homeowners have put in trams to navigate those steps but not all so think hard about whether steps are a detriment or not.
6. Additions- Waterfront homes and/or land is located within the 1000 foot Chesapeake Bay critical area and adding additions to existing footprints may not be an easy task to accomplish if at all so it is important that you are comfortable with the footprint size you buy.
7. Noise-Annapolis and Anne Arundel County has hundreds of little coves, rivers and vast expanses of the Chesapeake Bay as its home yet some areas are 'quieter' than others. With the expansion of  BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and major commuting routes some waterfront homes have been affected yet they also offer some of the best waterfront access around. Know what you are willing to exchange for the waterfront of choice.
8. Septic Systems and Well Water-Many waterfront homes are not connected to public water and sewer and are instead serviced by private septic systems and wells. It is important to know how these systems work and how old they are. New laws have been integrated to protect our Bay and the waterways leading to it and these laws require a replacement system that is thousands of dollars more than a normal system.  
9. Underground Heating Oil Tanks- Many waterfront homes in years gone by used oil for heating and buried their tanks in their yards. Many are still in use or have been abandoned as new heating systems were installed. However, many have been in the ground for years and may be rusting and leaking. If oil heat is part of your perfect waterfront home have it checked and if the tank is safe great. If not...problems could arise. 
10.  Cost to Own- Along with the percs and beauty of owning a waterfront property comes the higher price tag to own that waterfront. home. Yes waterfront living can be quite pricey around the Annapolis area. Be prepared to be flexible in your waterfront home search. There is beauty in each and every inch of waterfront living and no two homes, views, locations, water depths or amenities are the same.

There may be other 'dreams' or 'concerns' as the above list is by no means complete. Just add them as you see fit. And when the time comes for you to start exploring the many waterfront opportunities in and around Annapolis and Anne Arundel County just give me a call. As an Annapolis native who grew up on the South River I'm here to help you sort it all out and make your dream come true.

To see current waterfront homes for sale in Annapolis just click on the following link.

Annapolis Waterfront Homes



Martha Brown- Realtor(R) Long & Foster Real Estate
410-721-1500 ofc X5011   410-440-7839 cell
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