Sarasota Waterfront Homes For Sale

Many buyers consider a home with a full water view a “waterfront home”. The true definition of “waterfront” includes property that extends down to the “mean high-water mark or line” for water influenced by the tide or “ordinary high-water mark or line” for non-tidally water. Tidally influenced water includes the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, the bay front, and the intracoastal waterway.

Additionally, those parts of the Braden and Manatee Rivers and Phillippi Creek which are affected by tides and are brackish are considered waterfront. Non-tidally influenced water include ponds, creeks and lakes. If a property’s boundaries do not extend to one of these lines, it is not considered “waterfront property”.

Waterfront property has a lot more caveats and considerations. Understanding flood zones is critical. Additional coastal control lines is a consideration if any type of modification to the property is being considered.

“BFE” stands for “Base Flood Elevation”, and is important to consider when looking at property with with non-conforming space added to a property (such as an unpermitted addition or renovation)

Many non-conforming spaces can be found in waterfront property, which include bathroom or bedroom additions located below the BFE line. These additions should not be considered “habitable” for a property’s total sq. footage considerations.

Mangroves are a collection of salt-tolerant shrubs, bushes, and trees that grow along the tropical climate coastlines. They can be found in areas where seawater mixes with freshwater. They are a highly productive and vital part of the ecosystem for birds, fish, crabs, shrimp, and marine animals. They also provide protection for communities at risk from sea-level rises and severe weather. There are strict laws in place to protect mangroves, and only a licensed, professional mangrove trimmer may cut them. Buyers can not assume they may cut down mangroves to improve their view of the waterfront.