Water is part of everyday life in Kingston, Ontario. Situated on the eastern shores of Lake Ontario, two rivers also flow through the city: Cataraqui and St. Lawrence. This unique location makes Kingston the ideal setting for homebuyers searching for beautiful waterfront properties by the river or lake.
You may be one of the lucky ones to have a waterfront home in this so-called Limestone City. Waterfront homes in general are more valued than other real estate properties. But to make the most out of your investment, consider adding to it. Whether you are keeping your home for generations to come or planning to sell it in the future, here are the best ways to increase your waterfront home’s value.
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Best ways to increase the home value of waterfront properties
Maximize the view
One of the biggest selling points of a waterfront home is the breathtaking views of the body of water itself. These vistas should be easily enjoyed from both inside and outside the home.
There are several things you can do to maximize the waterfront views of your home.
- Optimize the floor plan. Bring key areas (living and entertainment spaces, dining, kitchen, bedrooms) to the front row. Doing so gives the impression that the waterfront views can be enjoyed from almost anywhere inside the house.
- Consider your home’s orientation. Which direction does the sun rise and set from your home’s vantage point? Are the current views great or can they be better? Sometimes, waterfront homes are not designed to take advantage of the lot it sits on. Consult your architect or designer if this is the case and start to plan for a redesign.
- Windows are key. There won’t be any views inside the home if there are no windows. Floor-to-ceiling ones that beautifully frame the view will do. Corner windows add more variety, letting you see sceneries that your main windows don’t offer.
- Frame the view naturally. If there are trees, bushes, and shrubs surrounding your home, make sure they are always trimmed and maintained nicely. They should serve as accents to enhance the view, not block it.
Shoreline maintenance
Nothing is more appealing than a clean waterfront property. For this type of home, curb appeal refers not only to its attractiveness from the street but from the water as well.
But shoreline maintenance goes beyond curb appeal. As a responsible owner of a waterfront property, you should do your part in keeping the lake or river clean, especially if your home is nestled along a living shoreline.
Here are some value-boosting and environmentally friendly ways to maintain your shoreline:
- Improve climate change resiliency. Keep nearshore habitats and ecosystems well-maintained. This way, they can properly serve their purpose for flood storage, erosion control, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. You can also increase the amount of carbon that can be stored within and around your home by planting trees and using durable wood products. This helps you reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions.
- Maintain water quality. Whatever flows through your waterfront property goes straight into the lake or river. As a result, water quality may be affected by excess nutrients that are carried into the water from your home.
If you use fertilizer, you may want to cut back or find an alternative—fertilizers can be carried by rain and irrigation into the water. And when fertilizer gets in the water, it may lead to the rapid growth of aquatic plants and algae.
Your septic tank also secretes nutrients into the lake or river. Keep it in mind to pump out your septic tank regularly every two to three years. As for using soap, make sure to dispose of soapy wastewater in the soil at least 60 metres from the water’s edge. - Create a buffer zone. Protect the water’s edge by having a naturalized shoreline. Plant a buffer zone of native plants along the shoreline to help slow down erosion and serve as a food source and shelter for fish and wildlife species. A naturalized shoreline is also easier and cost-effective to maintain than a hardened shoreline.
- Know your shoreline rights and responsibilities. In Ontario, not all waterfront properties include the shoreline. If there is a 66-foot-wide reserve bordering the lake or river, it means that the water has a shoreline road allowance under the jurisdiction of the provincial crown or municipality. Therefore, you do not own the shoreline.
But if the shoreline is part of your property, you are legally entitled to the riparian rights giving you the right to access the water, the right to the undisturbed natural flow of the water, and the right to withdraw water for your use.
Dock’s accessibility
Another one of the best ways to increase the value of your waterfront home is by improving the access to your dock if you have one. You can do this by adding outdoor lights, stable railings, and steps to the water among other things. If the dock itself is old and riddled with cracks, it may be time to replace it.
But if your waterfront property does not have a dock, consider having one. Apart from increasing your home’s value, a dock is a safer and private alternative to parking in a marina if you have a boat or other water vessel. Prospective homebuyers may be exclusively looking for waterfront homes with docks. A floating dock can also serve as a nice area to host and entertain guests while enjoying the views.
Unlike a stationary dock, floating docks are easier to install as they do not need to have extensive underwater installation. The way they float on top of the water allows them to move along to the rise and fall of the water level. Moreover, floating docks are:
- Affordable. A floating dock is the most affordable option for installing docks. It is also easier to install and does not require complicated tools. In most cases, you can install a floating dock without the need for professional assistance. A floating dock is also easier to maintain and repair as needed.
- Versatile. Many floating docks are modular, which means their versatility allows you to move, expand, and reconfigure them in any layout you like. Floating docks are detachable and can be stored away.
- Convenient. With a stationary dock, there will be times when the boat is inaccessible due to the water level. Floating docks, on the other hand, adjust with the water, making it easy to enter and exit the boat at any time.
Adding a floating dock in Ontario doesn’t require a work permit. You do need one, however, if the dock has a supporting structure on the waterbody that exceeds 15 square metres.
Enhance your landscaping
The body of water it fronts is not the only highlight of a waterfront home— the surrounding nature is part of its allure, too. And depending on how you design the landscaping, it can have a significant impact on the property’s atmosphere. For instance, if your property is situated some feet above the water and does not have direct access to it, the right landscaping design can make the house look and feel closer to the water.
Here are some top tips for improving the landscaping of your waterfront home:
- Follow a landscaping plan. Mapping out how you want your landscaping to look will help you have a more cohesive design.
- Have a professional do it. While you can do the landscaping on your own if you are capable, working with a professional landscape architect will guarantee the best results.
- Incorporate elements with purpose. Aim for a smart landscaping design where elements are both beautiful and functional. These elements could include erosion control structures, retaining walls, and fences.
- It’s all about the water and the views. The water should be the focal point. Make sure the plants and trees around it enhance its natural beauty and do not obstruct or compete with it. Place all hardscapes and natural additions strategically to highlight the views.
- Choose native plants. It is better to choose landscaping plants that are native to where your property is located so they will be easy to maintain. Moreover, native plants will complement the overall look of your waterfront home and its surroundings.
Speaking of native plants, the following trees, shrubs, and perennials will make your landscaping, as well as shoreline, look better than ever while increasing your property’s value:
- Balsam fir, which is found almost everywhere in Ontario, as well as in homes during Christmastime. It is a tall and narrow tree that can frame your property’s waterfront views perfectly. Since balsam firs are prone to sway or blow when exposed to strong winds, plant this away from your house or other main structures.
- Red maple is common throughout the Great Lakes region and its fiery red fall foliage will add colour to your waterfront property’s landscaping. It is tall and fast-growing, as well as highly adaptable. Make sure it has room to grow as its roots spread over time. When taken care of, it can grow to become 100 years old, producing seeds as early as 4 years.
- Chokecherry, which is also referred to as Virginia bird cherry, has eye-catching white flowers come spring, making it a great ornamental shrub to add along the upper shoreline of your property. These blossoms give way to dark pea-sized berries in the fall. Apart from being decorative, chokecherry shrubs provide food to birds. You can also use the berries to make jams and sauces.
- Highbush cranberry is a wonderful alternative to chokecherry if your waterfront property’s shoreline is rather rocky. This deciduous shrub grows in such an environment, as well as wetland margins and thickets. It features a smooth bark and produces clusters of white flowers as well as red to orange fruits, which are available throughout winter. This makes highbush cranberries an important source of food for birds.
- Pussy willow is a great option if you would like to add more native plants along the shoreline. This shrub thrives along lakes and riverbanks, producing feathery white to grey catkins that announce the arrival of spring. If you grow enough—and pussy willow is easy to propagate— you can cut some stems to make attractive flower arrangements.
- Blue flag iris is a beautiful perennial that can make your banks lovely. It likes to be planted in shallow water, loves the sun, and will tolerate some shade. It can grow to a height of 120 centimetres and produces deep blue flowers from late spring through summer.
- Canada or Canadian anemone is a flowering perennial that also thrives in moist sandy soil, specifically lakeshores and streambanks. That said, it can also adapt to loamy or clay soils provided it receives some sun exposure. Throughout spring, it will produce bright white blooms that beckon plenty of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Your shoreline or garden will be abuzz with life.
- Giant bur-reed is usually found in lakes, wetlands, and ponds, making it an ideal perennial to plant along the shoreline. At first glance, it looks like a cattail if not for its most distinctive feature: spikey flowerheads. Giant bur-reeds are great assets to have in any shoreline— they are a natural means to prevent soil erosion and act as a filter. They are also a source of food for waterfowl and marsh birds.
Add outdoor structures
Waterfront homes are perfect for outdoor recreation. You and your family and guests do not have to go far if you can rest and hang out within your property. Some outdoor features you can add include:
- A gazebo
- A stone fireplace
- An outdoor kitchen, barbecue area, or bar
- A patio or lounge
- A decorated path or small bridges
Adding practical outdoor elements helps add personality to your home as well as maximizes your outdoor space by serving a purpose. Couple this with good landscaping to establish a comfortable atmosphere.
Overall, the best ways to increase the value of any waterfront home are the ways that improve the overall quality of life it offers.
What can lower the value of your waterfront property
Just as certain factors can improve the value of your waterfront property, others can pull it down. Here are a few things to keep an eye on.
- Dirt. Dirt build-up, be it in the form of dust or dried leaves strewn across the garden, can make any house, waterfront or otherwise, look untidy and unkempt. It also helps give the illusion that your home is uncared for and may attract the attention of wrongdoers.
- Damage. Wear and tear are to be expected in any home, but damages that are left unchecked can slowly chip away the property’s value and even structural integrity, making it potentially unsafe. As a rule, attend to any necessary repairs as soon as you are made aware of them.
- Outdated features. Some home features are timeless, while others can be out of vogue just as quickly as they became trendy. Outdated features that can drag your home’s value down include carpeting in all rooms, laminate countertops, wall decals and other kitschy décor, and linoleum.
Selling your waterfront home with The Krishan Nathan Group
If you think it is time for you to sell your waterfront home in Kingston, Ontario, work with a real estate team that can represent your best interests. The Krishan Nathan Group can do that— and more.
Based in Kingston, The Krishan Nathan Group regularly deals with waterfront properties across the local market. As a result, their real estate team has garnered years of experience in buying, selling, and marketing waterfront homes. In this regard, they are tried-and-tested waterfront real estate specialists.
Working with a real estate team experienced in waterfront real estate comes with a bevy of benefits. The Krishan Nathan Group can explain your property rights at length and how they will transfer to your buyers. Moreover, they can guide you through the nuances of selling waterfront real estate in Ontario, from applicable laws to local regulations. If expert advice is needed, The Krishan Nathan Group can refer you to the right professional.
Waterfront properties come with a lifestyle. The Krishan Nathan Group knows this better than anyone else. When it comes to marketing your waterfront home, their real estate team will not only show a house for sale but a vision, helping potential homebuyers see their future in your waterfront property.
List your waterfront home for sale with The Krishan Nathan Group
When selling your waterfront home in Kingston, ON, there is no better team to be with you on your real estate journey than the top real estate company in Kingston, ON – The Krishan Nathan Group.
Beyond providing advice on the best ways to increase your waterfront home’s value, you will get access to invaluable insights, client-oriented, and results-focused service. The Krishan Nathan Group are experts in marketing waterfront homes in Kingston, ON, and the surrounding area. Truly, an award-winning team you can trust.
Get started today by getting in touch with The Krishan Nathan Group at 613.507.3711 or by sending an email to info(at)ngroup(dotted)ca.