Are you drawn to long walks on the beach at sunset, listening to sound of the surf rolling in? If so, you are in good company. High on the popularity list for second home locations are the beach properties found from coast to coast and island to island. While popularity can drive the price up dramatically, the pricing of beach property varies widely, with $3 million homes located just blocks away from $400,000 houses. Here are some tips to find the beach property just for you.
Consider the Price
In the favorite areas, such as Cape Cod, California, Florida, Maryland, and South Carolina, a lot on the ocean, gulf, or bay can cost $500,000 and up. However, you have many alternatives. You might look into fractional or timeshare arrangements. You might also research towns accessible to but not located directly on the waterfront. For example, crossing just one bridge to reach the bay can subtract almost $100,000 from prices. In California, for example, hills are high enough so that you can find a home 3 miles inland and still see that gorgeous coastline, at half the cost.
As you consider shoreline property, investigate the area in more detail. If you are interested in the beach for boating, find out what marinas are nearby. If swimming or surfing is your passion, look into the swimming conditions—ocean temperatures, undertows, etc. Even if the only lure are the long silent walks on the sand, check out what the public access is to the beach and just how solitary you can be. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve found your remote paradise then suddenly walking right onto oceanfront property owned by a hotel, filled with unexpected people and activity.
Some shorelines have weather that differs dramatically from towns just a few miles away. The Northern California coast for example, is always cooler and moister in the summer, and warm and dry in the winter, just the opposite of what you might expect. So it is important to know the temperature fluctuations on the shoreline. Is it too hot? Is it too foggy?
In general, coastal climates near saltwater run milder in the winter and cooler in the summer. As you look at the specific homes, consider how to take advantage of the natural climate. For example, if you can take advantage of prevailing breezes, you have free air-conditioning. Likewise, you want to be sure that there is protection from a hot, summer sun and make use of passive solar design to capture heat in the winter. Since salt-water can be erosive, check carefully into the building materials used.
Where to find Beach Property?
What are some of the choices in coastal living today? Florida still leads the pack as a preferred sun and shore destination, though the temperature varies the more north you go. Jacksonville is the port of entry to a long line of beach locations down the eastern coast of Florida. Other destinations include Daytona Beach, Orlando, and towns in Indian River country. Eventually you reach Southern Florida, with Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Miami, and the Florida Keys. A more mellow side of Florida can be found ad the Lee Island Coast, Naples, Fort Meyers, and nearby Sanibel Island. Moving off the Florida peninsula, you can find glorious coastal property on the Gulf Coast, which extends from the Florida Panhandle to Texas, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana beach resorts and fishing communities. Some of the best scuba diving can be found off the Florida Keys and off the banks of Texas.
Georgia and the Carolinas rank next as popular East Coast shore destinations. Wildlife refuges and barrier islands create an area of untouched beauty up and down the coast. South Carolina has led the nation in its development of barrier reef communities which continue to be mindful of the delicate natural settings.
Beach property isn’t just in the south. Many people select their second home near where they live and work. The shores of Cape Cod attract New Englanders, while New Yorkers flock to the Hamptons. The Jersey Shore and Rehobeth beach, Maryland, offer great getaways to people living in cities nearby. The coast of Maine may be one of the best kept secrets—glorious in the summer with an immense coastline and a variety of towns to choose from.
A close competitor to Florida for allure and vacationing is the long, warm golden state of California. Climates in Southern California are uniquely idyllic, with San Diego maintaining an almost steady spring-like temperature all year round. Northern California coasts beckon those who like a rugged, natural look in their ocean view. Northern California water is generally too cold for swimming without a wet suit. For total escape into nature, consider going up the coast of California, to Oregon and Washington. While it lacks the sun and warmth of southern California, it also lacks the density of population, which may outweigh the climate when considering this as your second home.
Choosing a beach property can fulfill your deepest dreams for a perfect vacation time after time. Take time to do the research. You’ll be glad you did.