The idea of owning a beachfront property is a dream for many. The idea of waking up to the sound of the waves and knowing the beach is only moments away puts the thought of living in a beachfront home at the forefront of many people's minds. Living on the water can provide therapeutic benefits, incredible views, and prompt a better night's sleep. With all the positives, it can be easy to overlook what goes into the process of buying a beachfront property. Whether you are purchasing this home for yourself or doing so as an investment property to earn income from, it is essential to keep a few things in mind before making the purchase.
Set your budget
It is easy to be swept up in the anticipation of owning a beachfront property. Mid-process, you could ignore the financial implications because you love the area or the house itself, but setting and sticking to a budget is essential to buying any home, especially when the property is on the beach. When looking into these properties, there are many additional factors, potential setbacks, and added costs that need to be considered.
What mortgage can you afford? Will you live here year-round or rent it out and collect income from the rent? What about utility costs, taxes, or potential HOA fees? Owning a beachfront property is a wonderful opportunity, and the more prepared you are, the better your chances of finding the home you want and making smart choices to get it.
What mortgage can you afford? Will you live here year-round or rent it out and collect income from the rent? What about utility costs, taxes, or potential HOA fees? Owning a beachfront property is a wonderful opportunity, and the more prepared you are, the better your chances of finding the home you want and making smart choices to get it.
Insurance
While it is evident that buying any home, including a beachfront home, will require you to get homeowners insurance because you're located near the ocean, chances are you will need flood insurance as well. Flooding is one of the most common disasters in the United States and potentially the most costly.
Even if your potential beachfront properties are not in designated FEMA flood zones, it's important to remember that climate change could quickly change your circumstances, and it pays to be prepared. While some states and mortgage lenders require flood insurance, even those states or lenders who have not could see that change in the next few years.
Even if your potential beachfront properties are not in designated FEMA flood zones, it's important to remember that climate change could quickly change your circumstances, and it pays to be prepared. While some states and mortgage lenders require flood insurance, even those states or lenders who have not could see that change in the next few years.
Consider your shoreline and foundation
There are many things to consider when buying a home. When someone is purchasing a beachfront home, one thing that can easily not be considered is the chance of erosion because of the shoreline. It is very important to ensure that your foundation can stand up to it.
Consulting with community officials in the area of your potential new home can help you be informed not only on the details of your property but also understand what is planned to help mitigate the erosion. These properties must withstand multiple elements from disasters, severe weather, and strong wind and rain storms. Investing in a beach home property is a big deal, so it is essential to make sure you are doing all you can to protect it.
Consulting with community officials in the area of your potential new home can help you be informed not only on the details of your property but also understand what is planned to help mitigate the erosion. These properties must withstand multiple elements from disasters, severe weather, and strong wind and rain storms. Investing in a beach home property is a big deal, so it is essential to make sure you are doing all you can to protect it.
Maintenance responsibilities
Beachfront homes provide incredible scenery, but it is important to stay on top of maintaining these homes to avoid bigger problems later. When dealing with a home so close to salt water, there is more to think about than a typical home.
For example, you’ll need to ensure there is proper ventilation at all times in order to prevent any unwanted growth. It is always a good idea to keep up with your roof and windows, as the closer to the water you are, the higher your chances of having to deal with severe weather, from rain and wind storms to hurricanes, all of which can cause considerable damage to parts of your home. Even with the more complex maintenance needed for homes like this, the pros far outweigh the cons, and by keeping up with the maintenance, there is less chance of any surprises.
If you are planning to buy this property to rent out, consider hiring a property manager to take care of your property, especially if you’re far away, they can ensure that your property stays up-to-date and rent-ready.
For example, you’ll need to ensure there is proper ventilation at all times in order to prevent any unwanted growth. It is always a good idea to keep up with your roof and windows, as the closer to the water you are, the higher your chances of having to deal with severe weather, from rain and wind storms to hurricanes, all of which can cause considerable damage to parts of your home. Even with the more complex maintenance needed for homes like this, the pros far outweigh the cons, and by keeping up with the maintenance, there is less chance of any surprises.
If you are planning to buy this property to rent out, consider hiring a property manager to take care of your property, especially if you’re far away, they can ensure that your property stays up-to-date and rent-ready.
Inspections are vital
The importance of getting an inspection for your home is just as vital when you’re buying a beachfront property. Inspections can help you in so many ways during this process, such as giving you a potential out if there are any major problems, giving you a new negotiating tool if problems are found, and they can give you an idea of how old the major systems in the house are.
When it comes to a beachfront property, you want to have someone to ensure that it is structurally sound and has a solid foundation. You’re so close to the water that there could be a number of potential hiccups that are much easier to deal with if you know about them sooner rather than later. This is also a great opportunity to have the roof and windows checked in case any past storms cause damage or if any small problems could become bigger if a severe storm were to hit.
When it comes to a beachfront property, you want to have someone to ensure that it is structurally sound and has a solid foundation. You’re so close to the water that there could be a number of potential hiccups that are much easier to deal with if you know about them sooner rather than later. This is also a great opportunity to have the roof and windows checked in case any past storms cause damage or if any small problems could become bigger if a severe storm were to hit.
Use a local realtor
One of the biggest must-know things when buying a property with a beachfront view is to use a local realtor. By using a local realtor, they will be able to share specific expert knowledge with you as they are familiar with the area. A local realtor is more likely to be up to date with any type of permits you may need, provide suggestions for a specialized home inspection, and help cut through any red tape that might try to cause you problems.
Local realtors know the area, so if there are any specific must-haves about the location you’re looking into, they’ll be able to provide you with that information. How close to school is it? How busy is the area on any typical day? They’ll be able to provide you with fast and confident answers to all your questions. Use a local to help you live like a local!
When you have decided that it is time to buy that beachfront property, be sure to connect with Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, and Belleair Beach real estate agent Adrienne Dauses to help you navigate all of the ups and downs of the buying process and help you feel confident in your purchase. Adrienne comes with years of real estate and property management experience, as well as a wealth of local knowledge. She has a variety of Indian Shores, Belleair Beach, and Indian Rocks beach homes for sale and is ready to be a part of your journey. Contact her today!
Local realtors know the area, so if there are any specific must-haves about the location you’re looking into, they’ll be able to provide you with that information. How close to school is it? How busy is the area on any typical day? They’ll be able to provide you with fast and confident answers to all your questions. Use a local to help you live like a local!
When you have decided that it is time to buy that beachfront property, be sure to connect with Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, and Belleair Beach real estate agent Adrienne Dauses to help you navigate all of the ups and downs of the buying process and help you feel confident in your purchase. Adrienne comes with years of real estate and property management experience, as well as a wealth of local knowledge. She has a variety of Indian Shores, Belleair Beach, and Indian Rocks beach homes for sale and is ready to be a part of your journey. Contact her today!
