🚨 The Myth That’s Sinking Waterfront Value

If you’re selling a home on the water, here’s a tough truth: traditional appraisals crush value before your property ever hits the market. Most appraisers and general agents still compare waterfront homes to inland properties. That’s like measuring a sailboat in square feet — it misses the point entirely.

As Erik McCormick, licensed Realtor and founder of PropertyOnTheWater.com, puts it:

“If your valuation doesn’t understand the water, it doesn’t understand your value.”

Waterfront Property is Truly Unique

🌅 Why Standard Numbers Don’t Float

A waterfront property isn’t just four walls — it’s a lifestyle. What matters most to buyers? Here are key factors to consider:

• Dockage rights and depth – Can it host a yacht or just a jet ski?

• Riparian ownership – Do you own the shoreline, or only the view?

• Orientation and privacy – Sunset angles and canal width define desirability.

  
  

In luxury coastal markets, properly marketed listings outperform appraised value by 25%–60%. Buyers understand the experience they’re investing in.

🎈 The “Balloon‑Buster” Holding Sellers Back

Erik calls comps the “balloon‑buster” of real estate. They pop inflated expectations built on flawed math and generic comparisons. Here’s why sellers lose money:

• No real comps exist – Every shoreline parcel is unique.

• Inland data pollutes value – Surface similarities hide major functional differences.

• Fast appraisals skip nuance – Tide variance, depth, and elevation are ignored.

  
  

“Comparing 250 feet of private dockage to a community pier is like pricing a performance boat like a pontoon. Both float — only one flies.”

View - List of Waterfront Property Specialists

💧 Why Sellers Should Demand a Specialist

Your property deserves representation from agents who understand the water. A generalist treats it as square footage. A specialist treats it as a lifestyle asset.

Waterfront Property Specialists are trained in:

• Flood zone certifications and FEMA updates

• Dock permits and jurisdiction rules

• Marine insurance and buyer psychology

  
  

Without a specialist, sellers leave hundreds of thousands in value unprotected.

⚡ The Advantage of WaterfrontPropertySpecialists.com

Before you list, connect with WaterfrontPropertySpecialists.com. This network ensures you’re working with Realtors who specialize in bringing qualified waterfront buyers. These are people who actually live, boat, and invest in the lifestyle your home represents.

These agents go far beyond listings. They craft full‑scale lifestyle marketing experiences designed to attract the right audience.

“Don’t just hire a Realtor; hire someone who lives the same lifestyle you’re selling.” — Erik McCormick

🛥️ Smart Seller Strategy

Want the best outcomes when selling your waterfront property? Use this coastal seller checklist:

• Hire a verified Waterfront Property Specialist

• Use drone video and aerial photography that shows shoreline depth and access

• Replace “comps” with narrative appraisals outlining features and rights

• Prioritize scarcity, orientation, and access—not square footage

  
  

Waterfront buyers aren’t seeking floorplans; they’re buying freedom, peace, and access.

🌊 The Waterfront Takeaway

Every true waterfront property is one‑of‑a‑kind. Comps measure structure. Specialists measure experience. List with professionals who understand how to showcase your home’s true story. Remember, the real value is never on paper; it’s on the horizon.

🧭 About Erik McCormick

Licensed Realtor | Twin‑Rated Pilot | Founder of Taking Off Solutions LLC | Owner of *PropertyOnTheWater.com

Erik McCormick is a licensed Realtor with Fathom Realty and owner of Taking Off Solutions LLC. This lifestyle real estate company was founded upon the success of his national Aviation Real Estate platform.

A lifelong waterfront enthusiast and twin‑rated pilot, Erik has logged most of his flight hours in a Twin Commander 500 Shrike. He often flies with his father, Jack McCormick, as part of the Baja Bush Pilots group. When not flying, he’s at the helm of his Formula Fastech performance boat, living the lifestyle he helps clients achieve.

Erik built WaterfrontPropertySpecialists.com, AviationRealEstateSpecialists.com, and AirparkMap.com to connect high‑end property owners with equally qualified specialists.

“Taking Off Solutions began with aviation, but it’s always been rooted in lifestyle — air, water, and the freedom to live where you truly love.”

Founder of Taking Off Solutions - Erik McCormick - Arizona Lake Homes and Properties

Arizona property on the water