Beach Houses

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Why Invest a Santa Cruz Beach House?

March 22, 2010 in Beach Houses by Admin | No comments

Seb Frey asked:

If you are looking for a wise investment in the world of real estate, then consider purchasing a Santa Cruz beach house. Why are beach houses in this area a wise investment? First, these properties always increase in value, and second, they represent a potential source of residual income.

The local beach micro-market is currently up, which means that prices are high and buyers are willing to pay the high prices. While some wonder if this means the market is in a bubble, most experienced Realtors who know the region understand that this trend will continue. The fact is that people with money want to live near the beach, or better yet, in ocean-front property. For this reason, the prices will stay high and continue to increase. Those considering investing in a Santa Cruz beach house do not need to wait for prices to drop. All that is going to happen in the future is an increase in interest rates and prices, so if you are considering purchasing, this is a good time to do it.

Purchasing a California beach house for yourself gives you your own private retreat. The beaches in the area are gorgeous – Sunset, Manresa, Rio del Mar, Seacliff, Capitola, Seabright, Cowell, Natural Bridges – to name a few! This is perhaps not surprising since they are one of the biggest draws of the area. People travel from across the country to visit this awe-inspiring area and spend time on the beach, and purchasing your own beach house gives you the chance to enjoy these beautiful beaches every day.

However, there is another benefit to purchasing a Santa Cruz beach house. Not only is it a great investment because of the potential resale value in the future, but you can also make an income from your home while you own it. If you don’t live in your beach house year round, you can rent it to vacationers when you are not using it. This provides you with residual income whenever you need it.

The fact is, tourists who are visiting the beaches of California want to stay in beach houses, and if you can offer one for lease, you can pocket a decent income. You can use the beach house as a vacation home, and then offer it for lease when you are living in your primary residence. You may even find that you get frequent renters who return to your property year after year.

If you have decided that ocean-front California residential property is a type of real estate that you wish to invest in, you will need the help of a qualified Real Estate agent. Because the Santa Cruz market is so unique, and also so lucrative, finding an agent who has experience in the area is essential.

Look for an agent with at least two years worth of experience and who holds certification from the National Association of Realtors. Talk to the realtor about your desires for your a beach area property, and see what properties he currently has available. By working with a professional with the right experience, you will ensure that you find a property at a fair market price.

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Tags: Experienced Realtors, Good Time, Natural Bridges

The Health Benefits of Living at a Beach House

March 11, 2010 in Beach Houses by Admin | No comments

Craig Delman asked:

Thoughts of living at a beach house, for most of us, brings about images of clear blue skies and beautiful tropical blue beaches as we call up fantasies of ultimate relaxation and well-being.

But what brings about these feelings? You may think it’s just a result of clever advertising or a built in instinctive urge to return to the sea from where we first came but it’s not. Metaphysically and psychologically, water is associated with creativity and feelings and being close to the sea brings out our feelings and fosters creativity. But Living at a beach house or on oceanfront property has actual health benefits resulting from being near the sea.

Seawater and Sea Air…Good for Body and Soul

Research tells us the sound of waves alters the wave patterns in the brain soothing you into a deeply calm and relaxed state. Relaxing in this way can help revitalize your mind and your body. But the sound of the waves is just one of the health benefits of living on oceanfront property.

Fresh Air for Sleep

Ever wondered why we always sleep more soundly after spending the day on the beach? Well it’s because of the sea air. Sea air is charged with healthy negative ions that increase our ability to absorb oxygen. These negative ions help balance levels of serotonin, a body chemical associated with mood and stress. This is the reason that after vacationing you feel more alert, relaxed and energized and after a day spent at a beachfront property you start feeling deeply relaxed and able to rest more soundly.

Sun for Feeling Good

Another health benefit of living in a beach house or on beachfront property is of course the beach itself. When we’re lying on the beach, the sun feels magnified and so relaxing. This is because the heat of the sun effects our endocrine system (the part of our body which releases endorphins) these natural feel good chemicals are designed to make us feel relaxed and less stressed.

Sunshine is a main source of vitamin D and this vitamin plays a major role in strengthening the bones and boosting the immune system. Inadequate levels of vitamin D are associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn’s disease. Recent research on this subject suggests that vitamin D may also prevent the growth and spread of various cancers, including some skin cancers.

Sun to Improve Skin and Aid with Skin Conditions

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and it absorbs chemicals and substances (both good and bad) and tries to rid itself of these substances through sweat. Although care must be taken to avoid overexposure to the suns UV rays, some sun can be good for some skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis. The ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun slows the production of skin cells and reduces inflammation. A common treatment, performed by dermatologists, for these conditions is by the use of an artificial light that emits low-level UV rays.

Seawater to Promote Health

When living in a beach house or on beachfront property you have the advantage of bathing in your own therapeutic pool…the sea. The beneficial qualities of seawater have been known to man for centuries and have been noted as having a great healing effect on the fishermen’s hurt hands. The saltwater helps heal the wounds, reduced infection and promoted pain relief.

The magnesium content of seawater is significant enough to have a nutritional and calming effect on our nerves, which explains why sea bathing is so relaxing. Potassium in seawater enters the skin and encourages good urinary flow. Seawater contains all the 89 known elements present in our bodies, including osmium, gold, vanadium, zinc, and iodine.

Bathing in seawater opens the pores and helps to remove toxins from the body by means of the lymph system, which is valuable in eliminating trapped fluids around the thighs, knees and ankles. Research also shows that bathing in seawater increases the elasticity of the skin, and improves its outer appearance.

Not all of us are lucky enough to live in a beach house. But those that do live on oceanfront property are more likely living a calmer, less stressful life with all the health benefits the sun and sea provide.

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Tags: Balance Levels, Beach House, Ultimate Relaxation

Beach House Decorating Ideas

March 10, 2010 in Beach Houses by Admin | No comments

Kathy Burns-Millyard asked:

Beach house decorating should never be a chore, in fact, when deciding how to decorate a vacation home or beach house you need to keep one thing in mind: relaxation.

By its nature, decorating a beach house should not occupy a huge amount of your time. Instead, you should be doing what you bought the beach house for in the first place, relaxing by the beach.

If your beach house is a hideaway retreat for your, your loved on or your family, don’t worry about a large amount of furniture and fancy furnishing. Instead, opt for a simple kitchen setup, one where you can all enjoy a nice breakfast and good meal without worrying about ruining the china or spilling on the table or rug.

Pick chairs and tables that capture the relaxing feel. Leathers and expensive fabrics should be avoided. Think about it, beach means sand dirt, wet bathing suits, shell collections, maybe the occasional bucket full of fish and, most importantly, lots of lounging. Get a few comfy couches for afternoon naps in the ocean breeze.

Wicker has proved enormously popular in beach communities, many choosing it for its durability, its natural and summery feel and the ease in which it can be cleaned. Wicker furniture definitely captures the beachy feel, but without the proper cushioning, can be somewhat uncomfortable. Don’t worry so much about matching. Walk into any beach home, and often the furniture is a rag-tag collection of mixed and matched (or unmatched) thrift store pick ups, discarded old furniture from the main home, or furniture that has been around for ages.

If entertaining is your thing, plastic tables and chairs are not only the perfect solution, but are almost an expected staple of the beach house.

When guest arrive, they are generally there to enjoy the view, soak up the ocean air, and engage in some casual conversation over a cocktail or a nice cup of coffee. While it should not be completely ignored, don’t stress over style and elegance, that’s not the idea here. Instead, the idea is to enjoy the company of others. Since mingling is key, make sure you have extra chairs around that can be pulled out and put away when more people come to join.

A buffet table is a great investment, especially folding ones that can be set aside in a closet or attic and brought out and set up inside or out when the need arises.

Make sure the furniture is lightweight as well. One of the reasons plastic sets prove so popular is they can be moved with ease around the house, and can be taken outside. Another practical reason for plastics is its durability and ability to stand up to the elements, beach house decorating should also take into consideration the fact that rain, high winds and humidity are par for the course. Salt air also can have a negative effect on furniture, which makes plastics such an attractive option. Not only can it be moved when the wind and rain arrive, but it can stand up to the salt air and humidity.

In the end, remember that beach house decorating should be done with the ultimate goal of relaxation. Don’t worry about the furniture, focus on the view.

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Tags: Old Furniture, Rag Tag, Wicker Furniture

What To Consider When Buying An Outer Banks Beach House

February 23, 2010 in Beach Houses by Admin | No comments

Jasper Magee asked:

Are you interested in moving to the Outer Banks area of North Carolina? If you are, there is a good chance that you may be looking for an Outer Banks beach house, as Outer Banks is most well-known for its beautiful beachfront properties. When it comes to buying an Outer Banks beach house, like all other types of Outer Banks properties, there are a number of important factors that you will want to take into consideration.

When looking to buying an Outer Banks beach house, it is advised that you look past the beach. Many Outer Banks beach house buyers want to have the perfect beachfront location. While the perfect beachfront location is nice, you will want to remember to examine the home in question. You will want to make sure that it is not only attractive, but able to accommodate you and your living arrangement needs. For instance, how many bedrooms do you need? Do you want an onsite swimming pool or a home with a garage? Besides how close the home is to the water, these are other important questions that you will want to ask yourself.

In addition to focusing on the Outer Banks beach house, you will also want to take the asking price of that home into consideration. As you likely already know, an Outer Banks beach house is likely to cost more money than a home that is located inland. The reason for this increased cost is the water. Beachfront properties are often considered prime real estate; thus their high costs. If you want to own an Outer Banks beach house, you need to make sure that you can comfortably afford to own one. That is why the cost of an Outer Banks beach house is extremely important; perhaps, the most important factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

Although Outer Banks beach houses are absolutely beautiful and well worth their costs, you will want to make sure that the home in question is strong, as well as the property. Although hurricanes often hit farther south, it is not uncommon for a strong storm to hit the Outer Banks area. Should a strong storm hit, whether or not it be a hurricane, do you think the Outer Banks beach house you want to buy could withstand a strong storm? If it is a relatively modern home, there is a good chance that it will, but you may want to verify just in case. It is also advised that you examine flood risk, as it is a common danger of beachfront properties. Even if the Outer Banks beach home of your dreams is considered a flood risk, you can still purchase it if you want, as long as you acquire the needed insurance, like flood insurance.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many that you will want to take into consideration, if and when you decide to buy an Outer Banks beach house. For the best chance of success, as well as inside information, you may want to think about acquiring the services of an Outer Banks real estate agent.

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Tags: Beach Houses, Buying House, Important Factors

Purchasing A Beach House

January 29, 2010 in Beach Houses by Admin | No comments

Brenda Williams asked:

If you live in Raleigh, North Carolina and travel to the beach often, you may want to consider buying a beach house. However, if you are thinking of buying a beach house, there are many things to consider. First, there is the price. Unlike regular houses, beach properties are considered “prime real estate” most of the time which spells out big bucks to you when it comes time to put money down on the house of your dreams. You should begin by going to your favorite area. For instance, if you frequent the Outer Banks of North Carolina around the areas of Duck and Corrolla, then the next time that you go out there for vacation, pay attention to the types of houses that are out there. A lot of the time, you can find a beach house by seeing the “for sale” sign on the property. Take down any numbers of people who are selling beach houses that you like and inquire about them. Additionally, there are usually beach front property rental and realty offices in areas such as these. Make sure you take down the numbers of realty offices in the area or simply stop by to speak to someone.

Once you know the kind of beach house or beach property that you’re looking for, then you can begin to look to see if you can afford it. If you find that you are able to afford beach property, then you can decide whether or not you want to hire a realtor to help you solidify your dreams. If you are a first-time buyer of beach property, you may want to take up the advice of a realtor in the area you are looking to buy in since they will more than likely be more knowledgeable. Before you meet up with the realtor, bring a friend with you who has gone through the process of buying beach property or at least consult with them before you go. Have their number handy and let them know that you will be meeting with a realtor, this way they know to expect a phone call from you. Write down any questions or concerns you may have about owning beach property, this way the realtor can address them at your meeting. For example, some things to consider when you are buying beach front property are things having to do with the value of the home depreciating or appreciating over time depending on the area, issues with how to go about getting flood insurance, how to maintain the upkeep of the property if it is only going to be used seasonally, etc.

If you know that you cannot afford a beach house on your own but are still really interested, it’s not the end of the world. Look into renting a beach house or possibly buying one with a friend. Have a close friend or family member co-sign on buying the property with you and then work out arrangements as to who will stay at the property during what time of the year. Before you do this, however, no matter if it is a close friend or family member, always make sure that you write up some sort of written contract in case there are ever any problems down the line!

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Tags: Beach Houses, Pay Attention, Raleigh North Carolina

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