St. Simons | Deepwater | Marshfront

LIFE ON THE WATER
from the desk of Jacob Aiken

There is a moment, usually about an hour before sunset, "the Golden Hour," when the marsh behind St. Simons and Sea Island radiates hues of gold.  The tide slides through the spartina grass, an egret lifts off the bank, and somewhere up the river a boat is idling home to its dock. For the lucky families who reside along these waters, that moment is not a vacation memory. It is Tuesday. 

Waterfront living comes in two closely related forms: deepwater and marshfront. They often overlap, but they are not the same thing, and understanding the difference is the first step toward discovering "saltwater" living at its best.  As an 8th-generation St. Simons Islander, a Realtor, a builder, and a boat captain, the following is a little "Local Knowledge," handed down from several generations of island living. 

What Makes a Home “Deep Water”?

Most deepwater homes on St. Simons or Sea Island come with marshfront views, but the reverse is not true. A home is considered deep water when the river it accesses is at least five to six feet deep at low tide. If the water is shallower than that, it will likely be considered a tidal creek. The distinction matters enormously if you want water access for a boat of any real size: a deepwater dock lets you come and go on your schedule, not the tide's.

Deepwater docks are a scarce commodity. There are approximately 145 of them across St. Simons Island and Sea Island combined. The rivers with true deep water include the Frederica, Dunbar Creek, the Hampton, and Jones Creek, and some would also include the Black Banks River.  Travis Williams (Marineco) is one of the best dock builders and you'll find his docks scattered about all of the rivers mentioned here. 

Neighborhoods with homes that access deep water include Hampton Point, Jones Creek, Frederica, West Point, Sea Palms East and West, St. Clair, The Point, Glynn Haven, Black Banks, Hawkins, Wildlife, The Yacht Club, and East Beach. Each has its own character, and each relates to the water a little differently — which is exactly the kind of local nuance worth talking through before you start touring homes.

Dunbar Creek

Not All Marshfront Is Created Equal

Did you know there are different types of marshfront property on St. Simons and Sea Island? When you consider a marshfront home, three things deserve a hard look before you fall in love with the view: elevation, exposure, and the view itself.

Elevation first. The finished floor of the home needs to sit higher than the FEMA flood elevation for the property — preferably by more than six to twelve inches. That margin is where you begin to get the best flood insurance rates. When buying or selling any marshfront home (or any home in an AE flood zone), make sure you have an elevation certificate that documents the finished floor elevation above sea level. It is a small piece of paper that can mean a meaningful difference in your annual carrying costs and resale value.

Exposure second. The direction a home or lot faces — south, east, west, or north — shapes everyday livability more than most buyers expect. Homes facing southwest enjoy the regular prevailing southwest wind, which helps clear out bugs and flies and keeps a porch pleasant on a summer evening. A southwest-facing home is also likely on the lee side of the island, sheltered from the fiercest northeast storms. Always ask where the prevailing wind comes from in relation to any home you are considering.

Proximity of the Dock and Float to the House.  Some docks stretch as much as 1,000 feet out to the River from the yard.  A close dock tends to create an extension of the living area of the home and is more useful for entertaining friends and family at Sunset.  A shorter dock has less dock area to maintain.  

Finally, the view. Views change depending on direction and the nearest land mass. Long views stretch for miles to the nearest land feature; hammock views are shorter and somewhat less dramatic — though both can be exceptionally beautiful in the changing light of sunrise or sunset. One practical note: a direct western view can be difficult to manage at sunset in the summertime, and warming and wonderful in the wintertime. Make sure to ask where the sun sets or rises in relation to any home you are considering.

The Market Right Now

Scarcity defines this market. In the last twelve months, there have been a total of four deepwater sales on St. Simons Island, and there are currently four deepwater homes available. With roughly 145 deepwater docks on the two islands, inventory in any given year is measured in a handful of homes, not dozens. When the right property comes along, prepared buyers move decisively — and well-positioned sellers are rewarded.

The most notable recent sale outside of a Sea Island-developed property was 2 Orange Grove Landing, a $5,000,000 deepwater home we were privileged to broker. Set on true deep water, it is a good illustration of what this market rewards: protected dockage, elevation, and a setting that delivers that golden-hour view every single evening.

2 Orange Grove Landing

For buyers drawn to marshfront living at its finest, my current listing at Cottage 462 on Sea Island captures everything discussed above: a marshfront setting on one of the most storied private resort communities in America, with the elevation, exposure, and views that make a marsh home a joy to live in rather than simply to look at. Click here for information.  I would be glad to arrange a private showing.

Cottage 462, Sea Island

Buying on the Water? Talk to Someone Who Knows It

Deepwater and marshfront purchases involve questions most transactions never raise: dock permits and river depths, flood zones and elevation certificates, prevailing winds and tidal creeks. The difference between a good waterfront purchase and a great one is almost always local knowledge.   

Jacob Aiken is an 8th-generation native of St. Simons Island with a passion for real estate and the coastal lifestyle of  Sea Island and St. Simons.  If you are considering a deepwater or marshfront purchase - or wondering what your waterfront home is worth in today's market - reach out for a conversation.  Mobile 912-771-9219 or [email protected].