What you Need to Know Before Purchasing a Beach House

Has it always been your dream to purchase a beachfront home? Maybe you want to escape the hectic lifestyle and want to create your own fortress of solitude, only much, much warmer. If you’re looking for a place for your family to make new memories, enjoy the sun, the waves, and white sugar beaches, then the Alabama Gulf Coast has what you’re looking for.

But what do you need to consider before making a life changing purchase? You don’t want your dream to become a nightmare. Being realistic doesn’t have to dampen the excitement or success of owning a piece of paradise. So let’s take inventory and get you suited up for your next adventure.

Researching your future dream home paradise is a must. Here are a few questions to ask yourself about the property in mind.

1. Is the location convenient?
2. How close are hospitals or emergency care?
3. Is it an easy drive or remote, which do you prefer?
4. Is there an airport nearby?
5. Are grocery and other needful stores convenient?
6. Are there Restaurants, Movie Theaters, Museums, Department stores nearby?
7. Have you spent time in the area before at different seasons? (This is a good idea for any area but in particular popular tourist’s destinations.)
8. Who will be your neighbors? Are they long term or seasonal?

Neighbors and neighborhoods are vital to your peaceful abode. Do your homework. Look up the crime information on city data. Introduce yourself to those while you are looking. Get a feel of the community by driving through at different times on different days. You don’t want to move in next to Lex Luthor. Ask these questions?

1. Is this a family neighborhood or a retiree neighborhood?
2. Is there plenty of greenspace or does it seem over-crowded?
3. Does the neighborhood look safe and have security measures in place?
4. Do all the homes seem to follow the covenants or do they seem laxed or even ignored?

Find People who know the area well, whether it’s a Realtor, friend or peer. Realtors will know all about the area and they have access to information that ordinary community members do not. They will also be able to guide you through many more questions that involve a second home, a vacation home you plan to rent out, or a permanent home and selling your old one. The public library is also a good resource for information. Some questions to ask are:

1. Will you use the home year round?
2. Will you rent it out?
3. Do the businesses close by stay open year round or seasonal?
4. When was the last big storm and how much damage was sustained?
5. Is this in a flood zone? Do the roads to and from the home flood?

Home inspections are a must. A home inspector can dig even deeper and give you all the grisly details or a gold stamp of approval. Things to look for.

1. Has the home suffered water damage or flooding?
2. Is the electrical system in good working order?
3. When was the roof replaced and repaired last?
4. Is there any signs of mold?
5. Does the home need raising?
6. Does the surrounding land provide stable drainage or is there standing water?

Beachfront vs. Beach Access. Enjoying a coastal community doesn’t have to mean being on the water and some of the most desirable communities are off the water with access. What do you need to consider?

1. Do you have to be directly on the water?
2. Is a lower price tag for a property that has access rather than beachfront seem more attractive?
3. Do you have a boat and is there storage or do you want to pay for storage?
4. Is there a public boat ramp nearby with the non-beachfront property?
5. Does the non-beachfront property include more living space or room for addition?
6. Is insurance and/or the POA/HOA/COA slightly more affordable for a non-beachfront property?
7. Are you willing to put in the time and investment for weather wear and tear on a waterfront property?

Affordability vs Overextending. Be sure to talk with a mortgage company early on and get yourself pre qualified. Like any other purchase, there’s always a few extra costs that are unexpected.  Ask yourself these questions?

1. Are there certain guidelines that must be adhered to?
2. Is this a financial decision that makes sense and is it within your means?
3. Have you considered taxes, insurance, HOA/POA dues, maintenance and repair costs?

Dreams do come true. Whether your new home will be your primary or secondary residence, and/or something you plan on keeping as a family inheritance, or potential source of rental income, this decision should be a well thought out purchase from all angles. Being diligent with your research will pay off in the end.  Your beach home should be a place of rest and relaxation, a foundation from which many memories are made for years and years to come.

Don’t let bad decisions ruin your ability to enjoy your investment. Having yourself armed with information will always go in your favor. No need to let a little hidden kryptonite spoil your happy ending.

Play it safe and be smart about your purchase. Be prepared so that when the worst case scenario happens you won’t be caught off-guard and you and your new home will be able to bask in the warm sunshine rejuvenating the way superman does. Because that’s what you’ll feel like after making the perfect purchase.