Is it a good idea to buy a house by the water?
Waterfront houses have long been a part of the Thai lifestyle. Despite the wide variety of housing options available today—including modern houses and condominiums—a house by the water remains a dream choice for many. Let’s explore the pros and cons of buying a waterfront house, including Feng Shui considerations and important precautions to take before making a purchase.
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4 Advantages of Waterfront houses
1. **Priceless natural views:** A major draw of waterfront houses is their beautiful, refreshing, and rare natural scenery. Waterfront properties—especially in urban areas—are considered prime real estate, offering excellent potential for resale and profit in the future.
2. **Pleasant atmosphere year-round:** Another benefit is the superior atmosphere and air quality. In Thailand’s hot climate, a waterfront house helps mitigate the heat; breezes carry moisture into the house, while the water source itself helps reduce airborne dust.
3. **Expanded travel options:** Waterfront houses offer alternative transportation methods, such as boat travel. Additionally, boating can serve as a relaxing leisure activity.
4. **Abundant resources:** Waterfront houses provide access to plentiful resources, such as water for agriculture, fishing, and other uses.
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5 Precautions When Building a Waterfront house
1. **Bank erosion, landslides, and structural subsidence:** Key concerns when building by the water include riverbank erosion, soil slippage, and house subsidence. These issues can be prevented by constructing protective barriers to stabilize the soil and prevent collapse. Constructing a fence using I-shaped concrete piles.
2. Nuisance insects and animals: Waterfront houses often face issues with pests and animals seeking higher ground to escape rising water—such as scorpions, centipedes, and snakes. Additionally, there may be problems with mosquitoes or other creatures like monitor lizards.
3. Beware of flooding: Living in a waterfront house requires constant monitoring of water levels to track how much the water is rising, allowing for timely flood prevention measures.
4. Consider the house orientation: When choosing a waterfront house, do not overlook its orientation. Ideally, the house should not face east or west, as sunlight reflecting off the water's surface directly into the house can cause overheating and potential eye-related issues. A south-facing orientation is preferable, as it allows the wind to blow into the house, keeping it cool and comfortable.
5. Pay attention to legal regulations: When building a waterfront house, legal restrictions must be considered. For bodies of water narrower than 10 meters, the house must be set back 3 meters from the water's edge. If the water source is wider than 10 meters, a 6-meter setback is required. For very large bodies of water, such as the sea or a lake, the house must be set back 12 meters.
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Are waterfront houses good according to Feng Shui principles?
1. Waterfront houses along rivers and canals
houses situated along rivers or canals are considered the most auspicious in terms of Feng Shui. This is due to their natural environment and balanced Yin-Yang conditions. It is particularly beneficial if the house is located at a bend in the river where the current curves around the property. If a waterfront house is situated at a bend where the water curves *towards* the house, it is considered poor Feng Shui. Furthermore, a waterfront house should not be located at a junction where water swirls, as this creates negative energy. A house located at the downstream end is considered the worst in terms of Feng Shui; it fails to benefit from the river's flow, instead accumulating sediment and suffering from stagnant, "dead" water.
When purchasing a waterfront house along a river or canal, one should check if the water is polluted; a polluted water source makes for a poor choice. Ideally, the house should be set back from the water at a distance equal to three times the height of the house (measured in meters).
2. Lakeside Waterfront houses
This type of waterfront house is typically found within housing estates or residential developments. A key advantage of a lakeside house in such a project is the ability to maintain the water quality to meet Feng Shui standards.
A crucial factor for lakeside houses is orientation; the house should ideally face the lake. Most developments position the lake in front of the house—often with a road separating the two—or allow the house to be oriented sideways to the lake. However, the house should not turn its back to the lake, as this violates Feng Shui principles.
3. Floating houses (Houseboats)
Floating houses are not recommended for permanent residence. While they offer a refreshing, cool atmosphere and close proximity to the water—making them excellent for temporary stays—using one as a permanent house can lead to issues caused by excessive humidity, which may negatively impact long-term health. While a waterfront house is a dream for many, you might wonder if it is truly the right choice. Researching the property before you buy helps you prepare for potential issues, ensuring that owning a waterfront house becomes a source of joy rather than worry.
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Special thanks to DD Property for the helpful information.
