Difficulties and Concerns Regarding Purchase and Sale of Riparian Lands
Purchasing waterfront property is a dream for many Michiganders, but without careful attention to riparian rights, that dream can quickly sour. Whether you are buying or selling, riparian rights should be considered as seriously as square footage or school districts.
Buyers should confirm whether the property is truly riparian, meaning it touches the water directly. Backlot parcels, even with lake access, do not carry riparian rights unless specifically granted by easement. Title work should also confirm the extent of bottomland ownership, and a survey may be needed to determine boundaries.
Sellers, for their part, should disclose any disputes with neighbors, associations, or municipalities. A property embroiled in a dock dispute or easement controversy may be far less valuable than a comparable property with clear riparian rights.
Because riparian rights are treated as property rights under Michigan law, their presence or absence can dramatically impact value. In short: when buying or selling Michigan waterfront property, riparian rights are not an afterthought — they are central to the deal.