5 Tips to Buy the Beach House of Your Dreams
A lot of people dream of having a beach house. To wake up to the sound of waves lapping on the shore, to see the sea when it changes colors during the day, at any time of the year.
A lot of people want to have a place to escape from the crazy and hectic world in which we live. To have a special place where children can create the most wonderful memories.
However, there are many things you should be aware of before making such an investment. The harsh realities of owning a seaside property can turn your dream home into a nightmare if you don’t take the necessary precautions. Read on to make sure you know everything there is to know before you buy the beach house of your dreams.
1. Explore your location
Let’s take for example that you want to buy a house in the Whitsundays. Before buying a house here, rent one. Find out where the desired land is and talk to your neighbors. Is the home in a convenient location? Is it easy to get to from remote areas? Is there a bus station or a railway nearby? Are there hospitals and good medical facilities nearby? How close is the nearest grocery store? Will you be able to escape on business, or will each trip cost you an hour back and forth? Are there shops? Museums? Restaurants? Cinemas? These are all the questions you need answers to before you decide to buy your beach house.
You will also need to know what are the weather conditions, frequency, and severity of storms? How many people come to the area during the season? Is it possible to rent out part of your premises, and on what terms? Only an intermediary can provide complete information. Including information about the terrain and flooding of the site. Take a look at the traces of destruction from past storms on the shore – by the way, this is one of the reasons to get acquainted with the neighbors. The features of this area and its climate can also be studied online.
2. Get to know your neighbors
Neighbors are important. They can help you navigate. Are there children nearby? If you have children, they will probably want their friends to play with them. Conversely, you also don’t want to live in a crowded area with party houses all over the place. We also don’t recommend buying a house in remote, hard-to-reach locations. Firstly, remote areas are attractive to burglars and thieves, and secondly, they can be a hassle during times of emergencies and difficulties. As with any home you decide to buy, the area is key.
3. Cooperation with a good realtor
When buying a home, finding a good real estate agent is one of the first and most important tasks in the whole process. The agent will know all the pros and cons of the area during both peak and off-peak seasons. Do you want to use this house all year round? If this is the case, you will want to know if businesses remain open year-round or if some locations close after the season. For example, proven real estate agents from Whitsundays will provide you with all the information you need, including the history of the area and weather conditions.
4. Invite experts. Do a home checkup.
This is a rule – or at least it should be. Home visits are especially important in coastal areas. The inspector will look for all signs of wear and tear that occur naturally due to age, as well as caused by the sea and its storms. The inspector will be able to determine if the house has been flooded and if this happens often. Flood water wreaks havoc on electrical systems, foundations, wood and causes mold. This damage can be quite serious and expensive to repair.
If the house shows signs of flooding, we recommend not buying it. If building a home is an expensive project, talk to surveyors and contractors. Many coastal homeowners are now raising their homes because they want to stay where they are, but need to prevent future floods.
Thus, consider all the necessary factors in order to be able to buy the home of your dreams.
5. Hire an engineer or land surveyor
Their task is to make marks of the height of the ebb and flow. Weather and climatic anomalies in our time are becoming more and more unpredictable. A land surveyor can check the degree of soil erosion and traces of storm effects. Also, look around. Greenery is a good sign that the soil has adequate drainage.
But, buyer, be careful! A newly rebuilt beautiful greenhouse with high lawns is a red flag and warning of possible danger. In this way, the previous owner can try to hide the problems of his site.
Conclusion
By purchasing a property, you plan to live here with your family or rent it out. In any case, such a step should be well-thought-out. You need to arm yourself with knowledge, examine everything, listen to the advice of experts and your own intuition. No matter what happens, you will not be caught off guard, because you probably acted on the principle: it is better to play it safe than to be trapped.
The new home should be a place of rest, relaxation, joyful communication with family and friends. A house by the sea is your dream. And it shouldn’t turn into an endless horror movie.