Privacy Policy

Draft for legal review. This policy has not yet been approved for publication.

Effective date: [Needs confirmation: effective date]

This Privacy Policy explains how Waterfront Homes ("we," "us") collects, uses and shares information when you use the Waterfront Homes website (the "site"). Waterfront Homes is operated by [Needs confirmation: legal entity name].

Summary

You can search listings, save homes on your device, and read articles without an account.
If you create an account, we store your email address, a securely hashed password, and the homes and searches you save.
If you turn on email alerts, we send them by email. We do not send text messages or push notifications.
If you contact a listing agent through the site, your contact details and message are sent only to that listing's agent or brokerage.
We use a cookie only to keep you signed in. We do not use advertising cookies, and no analytics service is installed.
We do not sell your personal information.
You can download your data or delete your account at any time in your account settings.

Information we collect

Information you give us

Account information. When you create an account, we collect your email address and a password, and your name if you choose to give it. We store passwords only in a hashed form.
Saved homes and searches. If you are signed in, we store the homes and searches you save with your account so you can use them on any device.
Alert preferences. If you turn on email alerts, we store which searches you want alerts for, which changes you want to hear about, and how often.
Inquiries to listing agents. When you use the contact form on a listing, we collect what you enter: your name, email address, optional phone number, message, any waterfront questions you tick, and any tour times you suggest. We also record the listing, who the inquiry was routed to, the consent statement you agreed to, and when you sent it.
Problem reports. When you use the report form, we collect your report and, if you choose to give it, your email address.
Newsletter. If you sign up for our guides newsletter, we collect your email address and a record of your consent.
Messages to us. When you contact us through the contact page, we collect what you send.

Information stored on your device

Saved homes without an account. If you save homes without signing in, the list is kept in your browser's local storage on that device. It is not sent to us unless you sign in, at which point we add it to your account.
Tool progress. Your progress on the due-diligence checklist is kept in your browser and is not sent to us.
Page state. The site may keep small, temporary values in your browser, such as your scroll position in search results, so pages work as expected.

Information collected automatically

Sign-in cookie. If you sign in, we set one cookie to keep you signed in. See "Cookies" below.
Analytics. The site does not currently use an analytics service. If we add one, it will be a privacy-conscious tool without advertising cookies, and we will update this notice first.
Server logs. Like most websites, our servers record technical information such as IP address, browser type and pages requested, for security and troubleshooting. We also use limited technical information to prevent spam and repeated form submissions.

How we use information

We use information to:

Provide the site, including search, saved homes, saved searches and alerts
Send your inquiry to the listing agent or brokerage shown on the form
Send email alerts and account-related emails, such as email verification and password resets
Send the newsletter, if you signed up for it
Review problem reports, including reports about waterfront labels
Respond to messages you send us
Keep the site secure and prevent abuse

With listing agents and brokerages

When you submit the contact form on a listing, the form shows who will receive your inquiry before you send it. We send your contact details, message and any waterfront questions to that listing's agent, using the email address on file in the MyStateMLS roster. If no agent email is on file, it goes to the listing brokerage. If the brokerage has no email on file either, our staff forward it to the listing brokerage.

We never send your inquiry to other agents, and we never sell it. Once the agent or brokerage receives your information, their use of it is governed by their own policies and applicable law.

With service providers

We use service providers to run the site. These are expected to include:

Hosting and database providers (Vercel and Turso) to store and serve the site and your account data
A transactional email provider (Resend) to send email alerts, account emails, the newsletter and your inquiries to listing agents

Email delivery is not yet set up. Until it is, inquiries and alerts are saved and visible to our staff but are not emailed. [Needs confirmation: email provider configured before launch]

These providers process information on our behalf.

Map tiles

Maps on the site load map tiles from OpenFreeMap, which uses OpenStreetMap data. When a map loads, your browser requests tiles from that service, which means the service receives standard request information such as your IP address and the map area being viewed.

Listing data

Listing information comes from MyStateMLS and its participating brokerages. We do not send your personal information to MyStateMLS as part of displaying listings.

Legal and safety reasons

We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety or property of our users, the public or Waterfront Homes.

We do not sell personal information

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

Cookies

We use one cookie, and only if you sign in:

Sign-in session, so you stay logged in

We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. You can block or delete cookies in your browser, but if you do, signing in will not work. You can still search and save homes on your device.

You choose which searches send alerts, what changes they cover, and how often (instantly, daily or weekly). Every alert and newsletter email includes a way to unsubscribe, and you can change or turn off alerts in your account settings at any time.

Your choices and rights

Access and correction. You can view and update your account information in your account settings.
Download. You can download a copy of your data from your account settings, including your account details, saved homes, saved searches and inquiries you sent while signed in.
Deletion. You can delete your account in your account settings. Deleting your account removes your saved homes, saved searches and alert settings. Inquiries you already sent to listing agents remain with those agents.
Other requests. To ask about the information we hold about you, or to make another privacy request, contact us through the contact page. We may need to verify your identity.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under state law. [Needs confirmation: state-specific rights sections required by counsel]

Data retention

We keep account information while your account is active. After you delete your account, we delete or de-identify your information within a reasonable period, except where we need to keep it for legal, security or backup purposes. [Needs confirmation: retention periods]

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections and hashed passwords. No system is completely secure, so we cannot promise absolute security.

Children

The site is not intended for children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. [Needs confirmation: minimum age for accounts]

Changes to this policy

If we make material changes, we will update the effective date and, where appropriate, notify account holders by email.

Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact us through the contact page.