Property types
Waterfront Homes in South Florida.
Intracoastal, canal and oceanfront — with the seawall, dock and flood-zone questions answered up front.
What to know
Before you make an offer on waterfront homes.
Waterfront is where the questions get technical. Two houses on the same canal can be very different purchases depending on the seawall, the bridges between them and the inlet, and what FEMA says about the ground they sit on.
- Ocean access is not one thing
“Ocean access” can mean a straight run to the inlet or a route under fixed bridges that caps your mast or tower height. If you own a boat, or intend to, the bridge clearances and the depth at low tide decide whether the property works for you.
- The seawall is a major line item
Age, cap condition, tie-backs and permit history all matter, and replacement is expensive. Ask for permits and any recent inspection, and have it looked at specifically — a general home inspection may not cover it.
- Flood zone, elevation and insurance
The FEMA zone and the elevation certificate drive flood insurance, and wind is a separate policy again. Quote both early. A property that pencils at the asking price can stop working once the premiums are real numbers.
- Docks and lifts are permitted structures
A dock, davit or lift needs the right permits and may sit under county or state jurisdiction as well as the city's. Unpermitted structures become your problem at resale, so confirm what exists on paper.
Questions
Waterfront Homes, answered.
Which areas have deep-water, no-fixed-bridge access?
Pockets of Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Beach and parts of the Intracoastal in Palm Beach County. It varies canal by canal, so the honest answer for any specific address is to check the route to the inlet rather than trust the listing language.
Is flood insurance always required?
It is generally required by lenders in the higher-risk zones, and it is worth carrying in many places where it is not required. The zone, the elevation and the building's construction all affect the cost.
Can I add a dock if the property does not have one?
Sometimes, depending on the waterway, the setbacks and the permitting authority. Treat it as a question to answer before closing, not a project to assume.
By market
Waterfront Homes by city.
Boca Raton
Waterfront Homes in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County.View →Delray Beach
Waterfront Homes in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County.View →Fort Lauderdale
Waterfront Homes in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County.View →West Palm Beach
Waterfront Homes in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County.View →Deerfield Beach
Waterfront Homes in Deerfield Beach, Broward County.View →Boynton Beach
Waterfront Homes in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County.View →Palm Beach Gardens
Waterfront Homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County.View →Jupiter
Waterfront Homes in Jupiter, Palm Beach County.View →Get in touch
Looking at waterfront homes?
A quick note is enough to start. I’ll reply personally, usually the same day.
6413 Congress Ave Ste 100
Boca Raton, FL 33487