This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
09/20/2018 12:00 AMIt's easy to decide you want to buy a home on the Connecticut shoreline. What's less easy is evaluating a property—plus the town it's located in—and making the final decision. Here are four important factors to keep in mind when looking at homes on the shore.
1. Driving distances
Rush hour on I-95 is no joke—especially for those who work in New Haven. Give your commute a test drive during the time when you'd normally go to work. Seniors or those with medical needs may want easy access to New Haven for its advanced medical facilities, too—as do those who provide that care.
"Sometimes the medical community will have a need to get into New Haven within a certain timeframe to handle emergencies," noted Margaret Muir, a Madison real estate agent who specializes in shoreline homes. "That may limit their search to areas closer to downtown New Haven."
2. Snow and storms
Whatever town you choose, you're going to get a New England winter. Picture the long driveway of a property—or the steep road that leads to it—under deep snow. "People often live in New England by choice because they enjoy the four seasons, but that means paying a little extra attention to how you protect your property and how you make your property accessible in storm conditions," said Muir.
You might find it hard to get your vehicle up a steep, icy driveway. When looking at a property, consider how much it would cost to pay for snow removal, or how much effort it would take to clear it yourself. Also, look at any trees on the property with a critical eye. A windstorm could take down diseased or injured trees, and if they're close to the home, they could cause a lot of damage.
3. Flooding
The water is one reason to love the shoreline—but it represents another big risk. "Flooding is something that can happen in any of the shore towns," said Muir. "You really have to be sensitive to elevation."
However, you don't have to rule out a property based on elevation—even if it's in a flood zone. Muir notes that some homes can be lifted above the flood level to make them compliant with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines. The effort might be worth it if you've fallen in love with a home and have the funds to spare.
4. Availability
Finally, let's talk about the reason we're attracted to the area: it's the shoreline! Madison is known for its beaches; Guilford is known for its active boating community. Each town has a unique feel, and it's likely you already have your heart set on one. However, the last thing you should do is limit your search to just one town. The real estate inventory is limited the closer you get to the water, especially in the most popular towns.
"Keep your options open about different towns if you're looking at being on or close to the water," said Muir. "You may not find the kind of property you're looking for in one town, but you may find it in another."
Wherever you land on the Connecticut shore, you'll likely encounter fine dining, top-notch libraries, solid public schools, and walkable downtowns. That's why when looking at towns on the shoreline, perhaps the best advice is to look at all the towns.
"You may discover something very special in a town that you hadn't considered," said Muir. Plus, it's not like you'll be that far from everything else. "You're going to enjoy the services and various things that all of these surrounding towns have to offer."
If you keep an open mind and explore, you may find the perfect home in an unexpected place.