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.
WELCOME to Waterfront living on Florida's Space Coast! This beautifully furnished 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo in a gated community offers an exceptional opportunity to enjoy...
- 3 Beds
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- 1072077 MLS
Drastically Reduced for quick sale!! Welcome Home to this gorgeous 4/2 lakefront home, where modern design meets thoughtful upgrades. From the moment you arrive, the beau...
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Fully entitled 3.2-acre Banana Riverfront development opportunity--designed and approved for a 20-unit luxury condominium building, 10 townhomes, and a ±4,650 sq. ft. re...
- 1071877 MLS
Welcome Home! Step into this spacious and inviting 4-bedroom home with a loft, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage, nestled in the gated community of Parkside West. Perfect fo...
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- 1071847 MLS
WOW! Located within the gated waterfront community of Marina Isles, this Banana River townhome delivers over 2,500 square feet of living space, expansive balconies, and u...
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Wake up to dolphins and manatees just outside your door. This direct canal-front first-floor 2BR/2BA at Jamaica Cove offers walk-out access from your screened patio to th...
- 2 Beds
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- 1071709 MLS
Enjoy waterfront living from this airy 3-bedroom, 4-bath home in the gated 55+ community Bridgewater at Viera. A den/flex room with double doors and closet can easily ser...
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- 1071697 MLS
Affordable waterfront living at its best! This 3rd floor, 2 bedroom 2 bath condo sits directly on the Indian River Lagoon in Castaway Cove. Imagine watching dolphins play...
- 2 Beds
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- 1071072 MLS
Stunning River Views from your private large screened balcony to watch the Sunsets, Rocket Launches, Dolphin and Manatee. Lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath newly renovated Kitchen...
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- 1071484 MLS
*72-Hour Kick-Out Clause in Place. Seller Is Accepting Backup Offers.* AFFORDABLE Oceanfront Condo Living in Satellite Beach!!! THE HOA FEE IS ONLY $563/month!!! And cove...
- 2 Beds
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- 1071481 MLS
OCEANFRONT- COMMUNITY POOL/HOT TUB- ENCLOSED GARAGE SPACE- ALL OFFERS ENCOURAGED 2nd floor condo with 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. MOVE IN READY- IMPACT SLIDERS- T...
- 2 Beds
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- 1071453 MLS
Rare direct waterfront condo in a gated community with fair HOA fees and navigable canal access to the Banana River -- plus COMMUNITY BOAT SLIPS with NO additional fees! ...
- 2 Beds
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- 1071425 MLS
