palm harbor florida property for sale Archives - Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA

Purchasing Waterfront Property In The Palm Harbor Florida Area – Tips & Advice

What are some of the things you need to know about purchasing waterfront property here in the Palm Harbor Florida area:

Type of Waterfront Property: The term ‘waterfront’ can mean anything here from direct ocean access and view to being on a salt water canal with direct ocean access, salt water canal with fixed bridges, canals with no ocean access, fresh water canals and lakes, ponds and even retention ponds. ALL of these are ‘waterfront’ classifications!

Sea Walls: If you are purchasing waterfront property and there is a seawall, you need to have a seawall inspection completed by a seawall specialist or a structural engineer. The inspection will cover the condition of the actual seawall as well as any cracks or structural issues in the area of the dock.

Boat Docks: The dock also needs to be inspected prior to purchase. What condition is the dock in? If you are intending on adding a dock, be sure to contact the local government office responsible for permits to make sure that you will be allowed to add that dock after purchase.

Lifts and Davits: Unless your boat is so large that it must be in the water at all times, most boat owners will choose to keep their vessel out of the water. Inspecting the davits is always recommended!

Not all canals are equal! Often homes located at the end of a salt water canal farthest from the open sea will find that there are times they cannot put their boat into the water due to low tides. If you think this may be an issue, check the depth of the water behind your prospective property during low tide prior to purchasing.

These are all items that you need to be aware of if you are considering purchasing waterfront property. The Palm Harbor Florida area has numerous waterfront homes currently on the market. Contact me for a list of homes available and let’s begin your search!

Blue Sink of Palm Harbor Florida was once a popular swimming hole. Those who grew up here remember being able to go swimming in Blue Sink back in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. The sink hole is 190′ deep and the kids used to swim and dive down there. The majestic live oak trees at the water’s edge provided a place to hang a swing and the limbs were great diving platforms!

Back then, the area was surrounded by orange groves and the kids got there via their bikes. With a shot gun slung over his shoulder, my partner Ron used to go there with his buddies to cool off after an afternoon of target practice once they got out of elementary and middle school. That was in the 50’s and 60’s, when nobody thought anything about a kid on a bike with a shotgun over his shoulder. They were boys just being boys.

During the 1980’s the property was developed, homes were built (the Hidden Lake Community was established) and the property around Blue Sink was purchased. This property consisted of just under three acres of land with the fabulous Blue Sink in the middle. A three bedroom two bath home was built, fences put up and that was the end of the kids being able to swim in the sink hole.

While the Hidden Lake Community of Palm Harbor Florida does have a great public park on a large lake complete with tennis courts and playground, it would have been great if the developers had included this land into the public park area. Perhaps one day the land will be returned to the public. In the meantime, the only views to the public are aerial and the only swimming done in Blue Sink is done by the Koi Fish that call it home.