collaborative post | A beach house is your own private getaway – an oasis from the hustle and bustle of daily life. That doesn’t mean, however, that owning one is all sunshine and beach days. Like any property purchase, beach houses have their own pros and cons. Today, we’re exploring the most important ones to help you make an informed decision.
Photo: Allison Huang / Unsplash
Pro: You Can Create Your Own Holiday Vibes
Everyone knows the accommodation you stay in on holiday is almost as important as the destination itself. After all, if you’re not comfortable relaxing at your home base, you will be less rested. And if you’re not well-rested, you’re far less likely to have any fun.
Whether you work with quality beach house builders in Victoria, Australia, or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you can create the holiday home of your dreams. Even if you buy an existing property, you have scope to deck it out just how you like it, ensuring you and your family feel safe, comfortable, and excited for the holiday to come.
Con: You’re Paying All Year Round
If your primary concern is your return on investment, there may be better choices than a beach house that serves purely as a holiday home. Unlike holiday rental accommodation, a beach house with a mortgage is a year-round cost.
If you’re comfortable having other people in your space, this can be offset by renting your holiday house out while you’re not using it. However, this will mean you’ll need a different type of insurance, will have higher maintenance costs, and will need to carefully consider the tax implications of turning a profit on your beach home.
Before leaping into a purchase, assuming you can just “Airbnb it whenever you’re not using it,” speak with a qualified tax agent to ensure you understand what you’re getting yourself into.
Pro: You Can Move To The Beach Permanently If You Want To
With remote work being far more common these days, moving to the beach full-time could be on the horizon if you want it to be. Living by the coast has plenty of health benefits, and the air is often cleaner.
So not only will you enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle – and arguably better scenery in your day-to-day life – but you’ll also be healthier for it. Plus, who doesn’t love falling asleep listening to the waves and waking up to the sun rising over the water?
Con: You May Have To Downsize
If you are looking to switch to coastal living full-time, it is essential to consider that you won’t have as much space. Unless you have a considerable amount of money to invest, it’s likely that your beach house won’t have the same living space, yard space, or storage space as a suburban home.
Blocks in holiday hot spots tend to be smaller, therefore usually necessitating the building of a smaller home. While you can get around this lack of space by using a storage unit to stow away your out-of-season gear, it is still something to consider when planning the next chapter of your life.
Beach homes are great in many ways, and owning one can make holidays an easier to plan and more enjoyable experience. However, it’s vital that you look at both the pros and cons before leaping into a holiday home purchase. Do your research, look at how owning the property will impact your lifestyle, and then make a well-informed choice based on your buying power and unique circumstances.
