San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Lagoon living
Life on the water can be a dream come true — just make sure to do your homework first.
Life on the water may be a dream for many, but it’s not without its complications. Sure, there’s plenty of places to choose from: Alameda, Point Richmond, Foster City and Larkspur are just a few of the waterfront destinations in the Bay Area.
But experts agree, do your homework before moving into that home near the water. Pore over the details, investigate the structure and make sure it’s built to handle the elements.
“Whenever I have buyers considering a lagoon house, I definitely have conversations with them about the building’s exposure and ability to withstand the elements,” said Madeline Schaider of Madeline Schaider Real Estate. “I let them know waterfront homes have more impact potential for maintenance upkeep, because saltwater can be very damaging.”
Living close to the water can also bring a risk of flooding, so it might be wise to purchase flood insurance, Schaider said.
“Look up the history of how the house has performed with flooding,” she said. “You can check with neighbors, the sellers and the city. A home inspection will also inform you of any water damage.”
George Van Treeck, association operations for Alameda West Lagoon Homeowner’s
Association, said waterfront homeowners should be vigilant about looking for signs of dry rot.
“There’s more moisture early in the morning at waterfront homes. There’s more dew on the deck and railings than you’d see at a home not next to the water,” he said. “So you want to use hardy finishes. Redwood dry rots easily, so you’d need a deck made of hardwood, or metal.”
Climate change and rising sea levels is another major topic to consider, he added.
“You want to be at least eight to 10 feet above sea level because of rising sea levels,” he said. “Alameda is requiring all new homes built along the waterfront to be higher than in the past. If you go on the north side, there are huge mounds of dirt piled up where they are building new homes.”
Located on Alameda Island and about four miles in length, Alameda Lagoon was created in the 1950s and ‘60s by the Utah Construction Company. The lagoon’s fingers separate Alameda’s natural landscape from the artificial fill. Its homes feature a more suburban style than the rest of Alameda, and it features a blend of a large apartment complexes, singleuse zoning and tract housing.
Developed in the ‘60s along the Corte Madera Creek, the Larkspur Marina features about 75 homes with boat docks. Many of these homes that were built between 1967 and 1975 have been extensively remodeled, Schaider said.
Point Richmond recently restarted ferry service to downtown San Francisco, while Delta Coves boasts 560 waterfront and waterfacing residences built around a manmade lagoon on the doorstep of the SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta.
Aquatic activities are another major factor people take into consideration when buying waterfront homes. Swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking and other outdoor pastimes are often on buyers’ minds when they consider a home by the water.
Water cleanliness and quality is paramount in these cases, said Nick Taratsas, general manager of Delta Coves, a masterplanned lagoon community in Bethel Island. Delta Coves features 474 homesites with docks along the 145acre lagoon.
“The cleanliness of the water is not only key for swimmability and recreation, but also for keeping your watercraft clean,” Taratsas said. “Additionally, the depth of the water is incredibly important to note for safe jumping or diving into the water from boats and docks.”
Seventyfive homes are built or under construction, and buyers have signed contracts for another 40. Prices begin at $800,000 and there are a variety of home styles from several builders to choose from.
Prospective buyers should also thoroughly investigate what types of aquatic activities are allowed, Schaider said.
“You’ll want to know what kind of vessels you’re allowed to use, what time of year you can go in the water, and how big a vessel is allowed,” she said. “Some lagoons, for example, don’t permit motorized watercraft, only kayaks, paddle boards and vessels without an engine.”
Water levels in manmade lagoons are regulated by bulkheads, or seawalls, which allow the water level to rise and lower with corresponding tides.
Schaider stresses wouldbe homeowners thoroughly research the bulkhead before buying.
“Find out who is responsible for the bulkhead and its maintenance,” she said. “A lot of times properties on lagoons have a homeowners association that performs bulkhead maintenance. You’ll definitely want to find out how your HOA operates.”
While one might expect a lagoonside home to enjoy abundant views of that water, Van Treeck said that’s not always the case.
“You’ll want to take note of where the windows are positioned and their size. Some homes have no view at all,” he said. “Some homes are designed to keep the outside out. Others are designed to bring outside in.”