Tag Archives: waterfront home

How To Make your Waterfront Property Accessible

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by Lucy Hudson

The total value of waterfront homes was $134 billion in June 2018, according to an article in Forbes. The same article indicates that due to changing climate conditions, changing tastes, and bounce back of non-waterfront homes, the overall average sales price of homes has gone down. However, waterfront homes are still the epitome of luxury and an enjoyable holiday retreat for people on vacation. So focus should be on making your waterfront home climate change proof and accessible so that it can be more comfortable for both you and potential tenants.

IoT technology for convenience

The easiest way to explain the Internet of Things (IoT) is that it involves smart devices communicating with each other in a network. Smart home devices come in the form of appliances, electronics, and speakers, which enhance independent living — especially for people with mobility problems and disabled people. For example, there are smart coffee makers that automatically start making coffee every morning, and window blinds that open and close themselves. There are also thermostats that adjust themselves automatically and learn your routines, and lights that go on and off without you touching a light switch. You can take control of these devices with an app on your phone, or simply use voice control to turn them on and off.  Personal assistants such as Amazon Echo and Google Home allow you to control various devices using voice control.

An entryway that is friendly to everyone

Placing a mat that says “welcome” at your front door will do nothing to help people with mobility problems get to your door or through it any easier. If a person using a wheelchair cannot access your home via the stairs, then ramps are a great solution. A modular ramp is great for all types of stairs and entrances. These ramps are usually made of high-grade aluminum, are semi-permanent, durable, and easy to maintain. However, if you want to make a ramp one of the primary features of your home, you can opt for a permanent wooden ramp. A permanent ramp is a better option for beachfront elevated homes. The ramps make it easier to get to the door but the entryway should have door frames that are at least 32 inches wide. If not, use offset hinges on the door to allow it to open wide enough to fit a wheelchair.

Don’t forget the bathroom

Accessible features that you can add to your bathroom include showers with rolling seats for people who cannot stand, and grab bars for balance. The shower should also be well lit and have a hand-held shower head with a 60-inch hose. To reduce the risk of slipping in the shower, install a non-slip floor and a walk-in tub. The soap, lotions and other stuff you use in the bathroom should be placed in an area that is easy to reach. In addition, install a riser on a toilet to make it easy for people to use who have trouble bending.

There are many other things that you can install or add into a waterfront home to make it accessible. However, it’s best to start by adding features that make movement in your waterfront home easy for people who are disabled or have mobility problems as they are the most in need of improvements.

How to Control and Prevent Humidity and Mold in Waterfront Homes

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by Lucy Hudson

Every home requires maintenance, and homes in warm, humid climates are no different, especially when it comes to mold. While studies don’t show that mold is more prevalent in waterfront homes than normal ones, studies do reveal that in any given home across the United States there could be one of thirty different types of mold present. Since fixing mold damage is a time and money-consuming project, it’s best to take preventative action before it gets out of hand. The great news is, however, is that it’s pretty easy to prevent as long as you’re mindful about it and put in a little effort.

Clean Regularly to Get Rid of Pollutants

While you probably clean your waterfront home regularly, if you aren’t doing it in the right way, you’ll miss a lot of the small, microscopic toxins that are floating or lying around. Mold is one of the most prevalent and dangerous of these toxins and can cause nasal and sinus congestion, a chronic cough, and even eye irritation. When scrubbing your walls, especially in damp areas like the laundry room or basement, you’ll want to use a non-ammonia cleaner or dishwashing soap and water to remove mold and other small spores that can cause respiratory problems. Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner or air cleaner is a good idea after washing any area of your home in order to remove any leftover mold spores floating around in the air.

Check Humidity Levels

Becaise most waterfront properties are situated in areas that are likely to be more hot and humid, you’ll probably already have a high-quality HVAC system you to cool your home. This is great, as cool air holds less moisture than warm air, and with the right A/C unit you can ensure your waterfront property is receiving dehumidified air. Industry professionals refer to this as exfiltration, and certain HVAC systems will provide you with better exfiltration abilities than others, as well as the ability to monitor the humidity levels in your home. If you live in a particularly humid waterfront area, it’s a good idea to invest in a smart humidity monitor that will alert you if the place gets too humid. Normally, these levels should be between 35% and 50%, but in really humid climates you might have to live with levels up to 55%.

Monitor Your Home Regularly

Preventing mold in a humid climate is something that you might always have to deal with, but it’s so easy to do that the myriad benefits of a waterfront property greatly outweigh that one small task. By properly cleaning your home regularly to avoid the buildup of dust and other pollutants, you can ensure that you’re not providing mold with an environment to thrive in. Investing in a humidity monitor and the right HVAC system will then help keep your property at the perfect temperature and humidity level to enjoy all of the stunning waterfront sunsets comfortably inside of your home.

Fix-Up Your Waterfront Home Before You Move In

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by Lucy Hudson

If you have invested in a waterfront home or a water view home — or are planning to do so in the near future, there are some essential areas that you need to confirm are in order, and possibly fix-up,

Lake view at dusk

before moving in. The excitement of getting to finally live that dream should not deter you from ensuring that your new property meets all your expectations. The government, in fact, offers various options that could help you bring down the costs of any repairs and renovations, which you should take advantage of if you qualify. If and when you have that settled, look out for these three critical areas before you occupy your new home.

Flood protection and mitigation

Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest potential hazards of living near the water is flooding. Flooding is one of the most common but also devastating disasters in the United States. The first steps you should take should be towards prevention and mitigation. Critically, electrical systems, as well as other outdoor units such as tanks and generators, should be well anchored and elevated. This is important in preventing fires and other kinds of damage.

You should also consider whether your homeowner insurance has adequate coverage for potential damages from flooding. Another mitigative measure involves ensuring that your your house number and street name are clearly illuminated. This helps emergency services in case they need to find the location of your house quickly. Just a few seconds of delay could make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful outcome.

Fixing the guttering

Living near a water body means that it’s more likely to rain often, which automatically makes the guttering system crucial in your new home. The gutters and downspouts are important as a channel to collect and store water, but they also help to prevent damage on your walls, decks, porches, and ceiling. If dilapidated and non-functional, the best solution is to remove and replace the whole system. This might of course be quite expensive, but it is worth the value in the long run.

If the system is in good shape though, it is important to ensure that it is clean before you move in. Clear out all the dirt and then install guards to prevent dirt from accumulating again. This is useful in keeping out debris, while still allowing water to flow into the system.

Water and the dock

In most instances, the whole point of owning a waterfront or water view home is to have a good view of and access to the water. If these two things are not in order, you will definitely not be able to make the most of your new home. To gain better sight of the water, you might have to trim or clear obstructing bushes and trees.

And, if you bought the property with the idea to either go swimming, boating or fishing, accessibility to the water is obviously absolutely important. You need to, therefore, ensure that you have a clear route to the water and a strong and functional dock.

Safety, comfort and convenience are some of the most key aspects to be considered before buying or moving in into any new property. Once you can rest easy on these, you are ready to fully enjoy your new home.