I love buying up properties/homes near lakes and rivers. It's a hot commodity, and pretty much sells itself. I used to actually live near a lake, and I miss it so much. Used to remember waking up in the summer, running down to the lake and swimming for hours. That's what you can expect if you live right next to a lake or river.
Expect the cost for these homes to be quite high though, as houses situated near lakes and rivers sell for a lot. Even if the house is traditionally small, it potentially sell for double or triple the home cost, that is of course if the land is included with it.
There is an area near here that has a river running through it and it takes on flooding yet because of the land and the area, housing is still pretty expensive there. I guess it is because it is a safe and wealthy community.
Properties near lakes and rivers tend to sell really well for the right kind of person in market for buying a home. It is a shame the area I work in has very little to work with in this regard. I have never managed or sold anything near such a body of a water. Only ponds.