If you live in Raleigh, North Carolina and travel to the beach frequently, you may want to consider buying a beach house. However, if you are considering buying a beach house, there are many things to consider. First, there is the price. Unlike regular homes, beach properties are considered “prime real estate” most of the time, which means a lot of money for you when it comes time to put money on your dream home. You should start by going to your favorite area. For example, if you frequent the Outer Banks of North Carolina around the Duck and Corrolla areas, the next time you go on vacation, pay attention to what types of houses there are. Many times, you can find a beach house by looking for a “for sale” sign on the property. Eliminate any number of people selling beach houses you like and ask for them. Also, there are usually real estate offices and beachfront property rentals in areas like these. Be sure to write down the numbers for real estate offices in the area or just stop by to talk to someone.

Once you know the type of beach house or beach property you’re looking for, you can start looking to see if you can afford it. If you find that you can afford a property on the beach, then you can decide whether or not to hire a real estate agent to help solidify your dreams. If this is your first time buying beach property, you may want to take the advice of an estate agent in the area you want to buy in, as they will most likely be more knowledgeable. Before you meet with the real estate agent, bring a friend who has been through the process of buying beach property or at least check with them before you go. Have your number handy and let them know that you will be meeting with a real estate agent so they know to expect a phone call from you. Write down any questions or concerns you may have about owning beach property so the realtor can address them at your meeting. For example, some things to consider when buying beachfront property have to do with the value of the home depreciating or appreciating over time depending on the area, issues with getting flood insurance, maintaining maintenance of the property if it is only going to be used seasonally, etc.

If you know you can’t afford a beach house on your own but are still genuinely interested, it’s not the end of the world. Consider renting a beach house or possibly buying one with a friend. Have a close friend or family member sign with you to purchase the property, and then make arrangements about who will stay at the property during what time of year. However, before you do this, it doesn’t matter if it’s a close friend or a family member, always make sure you have some sort of contract in writing in case there are any issues down the road!