Living in Florida's Space Coast
Brevard County Waterfront Homes For Sale
Waterfront in Brevard means four different products that get sold under one word. Oceanfront on the barrier island, lagoon and river front on both sides of the Indian and Banana Rivers, canal front on Merritt Island and in the beach towns, and freshwater lake front out toward Lake Washington and the St. Johns chain. They price differently, they insure differently and they are inspected differently.
Know Which One You Are Buying
Ocean And Beachside
On the barrier island the flood zone distinction that matters is AE versus VE. VE is coastal high hazard, which factors wave action, and it prices differently. See beachside homes.
River And Canal
The Indian and Banana Rivers and the canal networks off them, concentrated on Merritt Island and in the beach towns. Dockage, seawall and bridge clearance drive value here more than square footage does.
Freshwater
Lake Washington and the St. Johns River chain west of Melbourne. Different boating, different fishing, and a different insurance conversation from saltwater. See the Lake Washington area.
Bridge Clearance Is Not A Marketing Line
What Is Documented
The route from the lagoon system to the Atlantic runs the Canaveral Barge Canal to the Canaveral Lock, which is free, takes twenty to thirty minutes and handles drafts up to twelve feet. The SR 401 bascules at the lock carry 25 feet of clearance closed and open on signal.
What Is Not
Clearance between an individual dock and open water is almost never documented. The SR 528 bridge over Sykes Creek is a fixed span. A blanket claim of sailboat access for a whole neighborhood is not supportable.
Do This Instead
Trace the actual route from that specific dock to open water, bridge by bridge, before you pay a premium for boating access. It takes an afternoon and it has saved buyers six figures.
The Four Waterfront Checks
The Seawall
Seawall replacement is a large number and it is rarely disclosed. Have it inspected specifically rather than folded into a general home inspection.
The Dock Permit
Docks, seawalls and boat lifts go through Brevard County Planning and Development as a Residential Marine Construction permit, with a separate Natural Resources review for shoreline work and a survey less than 180 days old. If the listing photos show a dock, ask whether it was permitted.
The Flood Zone And Elevation Certificate
Do not take the listing's word for it. Pull the parcel on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and confirm with Brevard County Floodplain Administration at (321) 617-7340, which is the county's official repository for the flood maps. Brevard County flood zones explained. Then ask whether an elevation certificate exists. Brevard County holds them for structures in flood hazard areas permitted in roughly the last decade, and an insurer quoting from the certificate often quotes differently than one quoting from the zone.
The Fifty Percent Rule
Under Brevard County's floodplain code, if you improve or repair a structure and the cost reaches half the building's market value, the whole structure has to be brought to current standards, which for a home generally means raising the living area above base flood elevation. Price any renovation against that threshold before you buy, not after.
Narrow It Down
By Island
Start with Merritt Island waterfront or the barrier island estates at Lansing Island and Tortoise Island.
By Town
See Satellite Beach, Indialantic and Cocoa Beach.
By Budget
Compare luxury homes and condos countywide.
What's Nearby
Let's Talk
Thirty minute call, no pressure. We start with the dock, the seawall and the flood zone, because that is where the money actually is.
Perfectly positioned on a wide deep-water canal, just a few houses in from the Grand Canal and only minutes from the Banana River, this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home ca...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1083987 MLS
DIRECT LAKEFRONT LIVING IN LOST LAKES! Enjoy spectacular lake views and beautiful Florida sunsets from this updated home in the desirable gated 55+ community of Lost Lake...
- 2 Beds
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- 1083399 MLS
THIS ISN'T JUST A HOME OR 2ND HOME ITS A FABULOUS LIFESTYLE FOR YOU TO ENJOY! Fantastic views of the lake and golf (Duran) are yours in this 2-bedroom, 2 bath condo locat...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1083951 MLS
Stunning Indian River Views & Cocoa Village Living NOW with BRAND NEW ROOF and SIRT engineering test all complete and NO assessments. Experience the epitome of waterf...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1083933 MLS
Live the ultimate Florida waterfront lifestyle in Waterway Estates! This 4-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a DEEP WATER canal, offering direct access from your backyard to ...
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1082552 MLS
Wake up to ocean views from this stunning 3rd-floor condo that defines coastal living! Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a private 1-car garage, this move-in-ready r...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1083905 MLS
Here's your chance to own an oceanfront condo for under $450,000! This 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo offers gorgeous ocean views from both the living room and primary bedroom, ...
- 2 Beds
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- 1083902 MLS
UP TO 3% BUILDER CONCESSIONS WITH AN ACCEPTABLE OFFER! Discover this brand-new custom Turkey Creek waterfront home offering approximately 2,602 SF of conditioned space an...
- 2 Beds
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- 1083893 MLS
Wake up to ocean breezes from your private balcony patio with UNOBSTRUCTED OCEAN VIEWS! Watch rocket launches and spectacular sunrises from this charming 1-bed/1-bath wat...
- 1 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 1083822 MLS
Better than Brand New with All This in END UNIT Waterfront Home ALL IMPACT WINDOWS, TANKLESS Water Heater -All Upgraded LED Modern Tech Lighting throughout- Massive Upgr...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1083815 MLS
Escape to your own slice of paradise in this fully furnished 3 bed, 2.5 bath waterfront townhome in the sought after Cape Crossing Resort & Marina. Built in 2018 with a m...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 1083806 MLS
Experience the best of beachside living in this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in desirable Satellite Beach. This second-floor residence, offers ocean views,...
- 2 Beds
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- 1083277 MLS
