Living by the lake is a wonderful adventure. You can take advantage of the pristine waters anytime you wish, boating, swimming, or simply sitting on the dock taking in the sun's blissful rays. Your home buying experience can be a wonderful one without surprises when you learn the things you should expect with your purchase. Here are a few things you should look for when buying a lakefront property home so you can live comfortably and enjoy your new real estate.

Sloped land

Living on or near a large body of water can put your property at risk of flooding. To prevent this, many homes are built at a slope where the main house is several feet higher than the water's edge. This results in a backyard slope that is subtle yet entirely necessary in keeping floodwaters from getting too close to the property's edge. Before making any lakefront home purchase, have the slope of the yard measured by a landscaper to make sure it is high enough at your home's edge to keep water from flooding into your home.

If you are interested in a home that does not have a slope, then consider negotiating with the current owner about having a retaining wall built along the water's edge to help prevent flooding. Your real estate agent can help make this a requirement to be put in by the current owners in order for you to buy the home at its current asking price.

Private dock

If you want to be able to enjoy the water whenever you wish, you will want to have your own private dock with a walkway. A bonus is a boat ramp off the driveway attached to the home, making it easier to back a boat or other watercraft into the water for play and recreational use. Some waterfront homes share a large dock, which is fine as well, but you want to make sure you know who has access to the dock that lies on or near a home's property prior to making your purchase.

A boat ramp can be installed on your property after purchase, and some can be put in place in a very short time using a pre-built construction. Talk to a contractor about having a boat ramp installed and what its costs might be before making a waterfront home purchase where a ramp isn't already included so you know what your remodeling costs will be on top of your mortgage. Your real estate agent may know of contractors in your area who specialize in this type of construction.