Rehoboth Beach Real Estate News

Smart Home Buyers Choose Waterfront Property

Looking to buy a home that holds value even during one of the most difficult housing markets we’ve ever seen? Waterfront property is the smart choice. But why? Why buy a home on water? What are the advantages to a waterfront home over a landlocked property? These are valid questions and I plan to outline them below.

Why Waterfront Property Is The Smart Choice When Buying A Home

• Limited Availability – Waterfront homes are actually quite common these days, but the availability of that perfect location on a gorgeous piece of land, now that’s something to lust for. If you find a home with the perfect storm of location, development, and tranquil beachfront atmosphere, you better act fast as they don’t last very long in any market.
• Unique Appeal – Who doesn’t want to walk out their backdoor in the hot summer months and hop in the boat tied up to their own private dock? I know I do. Waterfront homes have the added delight of recreation that a landlocked property can’t compete with. Not to mention a property in an ideal location on the water’s edge will hold value better than any other type of property. Thousands of dollars in added value is quite appealing don’t you think?
• Luxurious Lifestyle – Home’s on the water’s edge come with a lifestyle not seen in other property types. Many come with value added amenities creating a high-end lifestyle. Often you’ll find private golf courses, marinas, upscale restaurants, and higher end shopping facilities adding to the value of the area. The immense appeal of a waterfront property makes you feel alive, and that’s a lifestyle anyone can enjoy.
• Fun In The Sun – The best memories come from spending quality time with friends and family. Living on the water provides activities you can share with your loved ones creating those lifelong memories. You can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, building sand castles, numerous water sports, or just watching the waves roll in. Having a good time refreshes the body and mind rejuvenating the soul, what other type of property can provide such a value?
• Nature At It’s Best – Waterfront homes provide a natural setting unseen with other property types. With lush vegetation, fresh breezes, superb wildlife, and the serenity of the water itself, waterfront homes give access to nature at it’s very finest. Living on a waterfront property allows you to immerse yourself in natures naturally beauty taking you to a simpler life washing away the day to day. Water is at the very core of life; it’s refreshing and a valuable asset to a healthy lifestyle. Buying a waterfront home is an easy choice.

Waterfront communities will always be the best homes in any market. They offer luxury, amenities, and a lifestyle not seen with any other type of property. Owning a home on water brings a number of benefits for both you and your family to enjoy for years to come. You can rest assure, the benefits of waterfront living outweighs the downfalls of the current market, so if you see the perfect waterfront property, don’t hesitate to make it your home.

Owning a house on the beach or near the ocean is a dream held by many. Oceanfront property is attractive because of the unique lifestyle it offers and the investment opportunities it can provide. Although not without certain drawbacks, owning real estate on the ocean can be extremely fulfilling either as a residence, investment property or both.

The positive aspects of actually living on the ocean are numerous. In general, it tends to be a very healthy lifestyle. First, there’s that giant natural swimming pool in the backyard. Water sports like surfing, body boarding, and simple swimming are some of the best full-body, low-impact workouts available. Walking or jogging in the sand naturally enhances our most simple and effective exercise, with amazing results. Geographically being near an ocean generally means easy access to seafood, which is a staple of a healthy diet. Living on the ocean is intellectually stimulating and very relaxing. The ocean serves as a giant movie screen displaying an endless IMAX film about the magnificent and truly awesome power of nature. It is an amazing environment to raise children, constantly engaging them both physically and intellectually. Though medical data may be lacking, no one can deny the benefits to one’s spirit and soul gained from a life on the beach. It’s no accident, according to one resident I spoke with recently, that “all of our neighbors have this happy, relaxed nature about them.” A little unscientific research lead me to a theory that the spiritual connection with water dates back to our early ancestors. Back when large bodies of water represented a lifeline for food and sustenance, the feeling of calm, security, and belonging that seems to come with living near the beach is deeply ingrained within us.

In terms of an investment, real estate near the ocean is a desirable addition to anyone’s portfolio. For all of the reasons listed above, people flock to the ocean, and the demand for a home near the beach is always very high. The age-old philosophy about land, “they’re not making any more of it” specifically applies to beachfront property. One could argue that due to erosion and/or climate change, that beachfront property is in fact diminishing, which naturally pushes up the value of existing ocean real estate. As a rental property, a home on the beach can be a great source of income in which the amount of rent you charge a tenant is limited only by demand, which during the on-season is very high. Beachfront property is generally known as a sound investment.

There are certain negative aspects that come with owning real estate on the ocean, both for investors and full-time residents. Just as the roaring ocean is the biggest draw to living on the beach, it also serves as its greatest threat. Nothing is more powerful than a storm coming in off of the sea. As anyone who has been in such a storm can tell you, it is a truly frightening experience. Immediate threats to one’s safety are the 1st to be concerned with, extremely high winds can wreak havoc on glass windows and weak foundations. If in the worst case scenario, the waters start to rise and flood your home, leave and seek safety immediately. Which leads us to the greatest threat: flooding. As recent current events have demonstrated, our weather and climates appear to be changing at a rapid rate. Personifying the fear of every beachfront property owner, harrowing home videos easily found on the internet have shown us how quickly rising waters can wipe a home completely off of the map. Many people are very uneasy with the thought that they could lose their home in literally the blink of an eye.

It’s not all a rosy picture for investors either. A beachfront property can command top dollar as a rental, but not necessarily year-round. An investor must take into account the seasonal fluctuations of demand. During the off season, there might not be a renter at all, leaving the investor to take care of maintenance and upkeep. If an investor simply assumes that rental property income will be a constant, they are in for a very rude awakening. Ah, the off season, where a beachfront community can seem like a ghost town. Granted some residents absolutely savor the peace and quiet, most consider the general shutdown during the off season a negative. It can be an isolating feeling when a once bustling beach town becomes quite desolate, where even basic local services and amenities can be hard to come by.

For some folks, living on a beach is like heaven on earth. For some investors, a home on the beach can be a cash cow. Drawbacks do exist, and a home by the ocean is not for everyone. However for an active family or a savvy investor, life truly is, a beach!

Dylan Taft is an experienced Hudson Valley real estate professional working in home sales and purchases. Visit Dylan’s professionally optimized website for more information on property taxes, and details on the Ulster County NY real estate area.

Unit 516 One Virginia Ave MLS#574487

Just as a notice, the owner is ill and wants this condo sold.
He has lowered the listing price to $450,000
The owner bought this unit for $435,000 in 2003.
Appraised for $652,000 10/2008
Not A Short Sale. Wonderful Beach & Boardwalk Views. A Great Beach Getaway.

Yearly Condo Fees = $6474
Yearly City Taxes = $278
Yearly County Tax = $668
Current Summer Rental Income = $19,000

The condo is rented every week until Sept., but can be shown on Saturdays, 10:30 am to 2 pm.

The Most Expensive Home in RBYCC is currently 173 East Side Drive

173 East Side Drive

Priced at 5.6 Milion, this home has 10 bedrooms and 13.5 bathrooms. Located on a bayfront  acre of land and directly adjacent to the RBYCC Club House this is a prime piece of Real Estate.  I had the district pleasure of touring the property earlier this week and would be happy to arrange a showing for any well qualified potential future owner.  If you have questions about this property I can be reached at 302 258 4368.  I can meet you at this address by car, boat or helicopter 🙂

– SOLD – This 4BR/3.5 BA New construction home is easy to overlook.  It looks very similar to other relatively new homes in Southern Delaware and is priced about the same as well. The one feature this home has to offer that makes it special is that it is located on a canal with access to the Rehoboth Bay and Beyond.
Click to view – MLS# 567581 Canal Front Home

If a canal front home built in 2004  for $349,000 peaks your interest please give me a call to see this house in person.  – SOLD –

This listing is a Short Sale

Standard Disclaimer: This information was current the day this article was post o4 Aug 2009.  If you are reading this at a later date the information may or may not be current.