Thinking of owning a beach house in Texas? There are plenty of beachfront properties in different communities in Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, and throughout the Coastal Bend. Beachfront properties are knowns not to be necessarily cheap and require more attention compared to your regular homes or condos.
Before you start sipping your piña colada while swinging on a hammock admiring the panoramic beach views from your patio or backyard, check out this list of some of the things you need to know before buying a beach house property in Texas.
1. Location
Not all beaches are created equally. Depending on the location, there are communities near areas that are commonly frequented by tourists while other communities are exclusively tucked away. The property prices also vary for each location so you would want to decide in buying a beach home that fits your budget.
It’s also important to get to know the area where you’ll be purchasing your home. Talk to the locals or spend time in the area where you’ll purchase your home. Don’t forget about the other factors you need to consider when looking for a beach home including the convenience of the location to medical facilities, grocery stores, banks, airport, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
2. Durability
Homes near the water are prone to different weather conditions. Ensuring that your home is weather-proof should be your number one priority. Your property should be able to withstand harsh coastal weather from frequent strong winds, high temperatures, storm surges, to flood risks. For beach properties inland and near the water, concrete and naturally durable wood are known to be the best materials for beach houses.
Take note that your roof and windows are two of the most important parts of your home that must be durable and can stand severe weather. Durable impact windows while clay, slate, steel, and copper materials for your roof are highly recommended and commonly used when it comes to beach properties. Not only these materials will protect y our home but they will also help reduce your insurance costs!
3. Maintenance
There are first-time beach house owners that overlook the cost of maintaining their homes will be needing in the long run. Your beach house will encounter different weather conditions that require higher-than-usual maintenance costs.
While there are some types of maintenance that you can do on your own such as checking the roof, cleaning your windows, checking your any wood or metal issues, inspecting for termites, and more, there are some areas of your home that will require professional maintenance attention so don’t hesitate to give the local professional a call when you see something wrong with your coastal home.
4. Insurance Rates
It’s no surprise that when buying a beach house, expect the insurance rates to skyrocket. When calculating a budget for your beach house, don’t forget about flood insurance. Flood insurance is not uncommon for many beach homes out there and it can be a costly expense. Always speak to an insurance agent and find the best rates out there. You’ll be able to see the difference between various insurance providers and spot a significant difference between each provider.
5. Rental Potential
If you’re thinking of buying a beach house in Texas and you consider putting your place up for rent when you’re not around, do a cost-benefit analysis to assess whether your beach home will give you a good return on your investment. Calculate the cost of maintenance, HOA fees, property management, and taxes and see if it can be wise to turn it into a short-term investment.
If your beach house is located within an HOA community, be mindful that there are HOA communities in Texas that don’t allow short-term rentals and other restrictions about renting out your coastal home so it’s wise to always check with the community’s HOA before your purchase.
Whether your beach house is your primary or secondary residence, the process of finding a neighborhood and purchasing a home can be overwhelming. A real estate specialist can guide and navigate you throughout the process of buying your dream coastal home for a smooth sailing homebuying process. Get in touch with our real estate specialists!
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