You just spent $400,000 on a 1 acre waterfront lot in the Northern Neck and now you find out that you can't get your boat to the dock. You checked the water depth at the dock and it measured 5 feet. How could this happen?

There are several ways but probably the biggest reason is because you didn't use a Realtor that knows the water and has experience on the water. There are several creeks in the Northern Neck that have deep water in them but the entrance coming into the creek has a controlling depth. You, the buyer, are just starting your search for that perfect waterfront property and you are not expected to know these things but you should make sure you choose a Realtor that does. If you have chosen a Realtor and that Realtor has not explained water depths to you then you should notice if the other properties surrounding the property in question have boats. Are those boats as big as or bigger than yours? If they are not then that is a good indication that there is not enough water there for you. Stop right now and ask if there is going to be a problem getting a boat the size of yours in the creek.

Ask questions like:

·         Have you brought a boat into this creek before?

·         Do you have a chart that will show the creek and channel in detail?

·         And if you still have doubts ask if there is any way that the depth can be verified by boat.

A good Realtor selling waterfront property not only should know the water and the channels but a good realtor should also be able to put you in a boat and verify that depth for you.

Remember you are the buyer and a good Realtor works for you. Make sure you he does.