A home by the water

Sunset over the lake. A boat tied up to your own personal dock. Fishing and swimming seconds
from your back door. Many of us dream of living in a home that adjoins a body of water. But
buying, owning and maintaining a waterfront property isn’t as easy as you may think.
First of all, not all waterfront properties are alike. Living by a peaceful lake can have different
challenges than cohabiting with a rushing river. Many real estate professionals have extensive
experience helping people purchase and sell waterfront properties, so finding one that can help
you navigate the waters is a great idea.
If your waterfront lifestyle will include recreational activities like boating, swimming or fishing,
be sure to find out what type of access you would have to the waterfront, based on the land title.
The waterfront may be part of the property title, or the owner may simply have deeded access to
it. If there is a beach, check whether it is private, community only, or public. Your real estate
professional and lawyer will be able to help you get this information before you consider making
an offer on a waterfront property.
Also, renovating, improving or significantly changing a waterfront property may require extra
planning and permission from organizations such as Parks Canada or the local conservation
authority, in addition to the usual municipal planning and permit issues. Those organizations
work to protect environmentally sensitive areas, wetlands, fish and animal habitats, and natural
shorelines. They also conduct water quality testing, undertake flood forecasting and issue
warnings, and can be an excellent source of information and advocacy for waterfront
homeowners. Making changes to waterfront property without proper approval can carry
significant fines, so be sure to check with your local conservation authority before you build or
tear down.
Once you have permission to renovate or landscape, consult experts to make certain you’re
working with the land in such a way that any new buildings or systems (such as septic or wells)
will not be compromised by the water or natural erosion of the shoreline.
Finally, you want to make sure the nearby water will stay out of your home. Flooding is possible
almost anywhere, but the risk is magnified when a property is adjacent to a body of water. For a
quick check when you’re first thinking about waterfront properties, the City of Ottawa’s e-Maps
feature (located on their website Ottawa.ca) allows you to view the location of flood plains
throughout the city so that you can choose neighbourhoods with lower risk. However, when you
are considering making an offer, a home inspector who’s experienced in assessing waterfront
properties can help you determine what the flooding risks are with that particular property, and
can offer concrete suggestions about how to prevent flooding in the future.
A waterfront property can provide you and your family with many opportunities for recreation
and relaxation. By doing your homework and consulting with waterfront experts including real
estate professionals, home inspectors and conservation authorities, you can buy that lakefront
home or riverside cottage with greater peace of mind.

The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the May 2010 issue of the EMC community