Have you ever felt that sense of regret after having made an expensive purchase? A home purchase, for instance. As a homebuyer, you can’t afford to end up with the wrong property knowing how heavily invested you are in it.

If you are looking for a beach house in a coastal town like Santa Cruz CA, finding a beautiful property shouldn’t be a problem. However, finding the right one takes quite a bit of researching and house hunting. Remember, taking a plunge into buying a home isn’t just about picking the listing that you fancy and paying for it. It’s about keeping a lot of considerations on top of your mind before you seal the deal.

In this article, you will discover the secrets to successfully buying a beach house in Santa Cruz CA so you don’t deal with buyer’s remorse down the road.

Buying a beach house in Santa Cruz CA involves making sure that you have a solid understanding of your budget and needs, as well as a thorough understanding of the financial and weather-related risks involved. It also involves hiring the right Realtor® who is experienced in buying and selling real estate in Santa Cruz CA.

Read on if you want to discover the secrets to buying a beach house in Santa Cruz CA.

What are the factors to consider when buying a home in Santa Cruz CA?

It’s everybody’s dream to have a house on the beach and wake up to the sounds of splashing waves. However, there are harsh realities to buying a beach house that could turn your dream into a nightmare if you don’t take important factors into consideration.

Here are some of the things to consider before buying a beach house in Santa Cruz:

· Location

If you have not spent a long time in Santa Cruz and you’d like to buy a home in the area, it would be wise if you do so. This will help you get to know more about the way of the land. If you rent a home in the area even for a short time, you will be able to know if it’s easy to drive from remote areas, or if there are airports, hospitals, or grocery stores nearby.

· Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors will also help you find your way around Santa Cruz CA. For instance, if you have children, knowing that there are children in your target neighborhood would be nice because that means your children will have new friends to play with.

· Your budget

As with any home, you have to stick within your means. If you are not sure if you can afford the Santa Cruz CA beach home of your dreams, you can meet with financial experts to learn the ins and outs of buying a beach property. Aside from the cost of the house itself, you also need to consider the purchasing expenses, taxes and insurance, and maintenance work needed before you move in.

· Home inspection

The home inspection is a very crucial part of the home buying process, especially in coastal areas like Santa Cruz. Your home inspector will help you spot the signs of wear and tear that come naturally from age and tell you if the house you are planning to buy is worth your bucks.

· Beach front or off-beach?

As you begin your search for beach homes in Santa Cruz, it is also important to consider whether the beach house sits directly on the water or is at least a couple of blocks away from the water. This is because prices of beachfront homes and off-beach homes differ significantly. These home types have their own share of advantages and disadvantages so take note of these things before making any decision.

· Your Realtor®

I can’t stress enough how important hiring a Realtor® is when buying a home. If you are buying a home in Santa Cruz CA, look for a Santa Cruz CA real estate agent who can give you all the information that you need as you make decisions along the way.

What are the features to take note of when searching for a Santa Cruz CA beach house?

As you begin your Santa Cruz beach house hunting experience, make sure to consider certain features before you make a purchase. Aside from the location of the house, the neighborhood, and your budget, there are specific features that you also need to take note of when house hunting.

· Construction

Ensuring that your coastal home is weather-proof should be your priority, especially if you don’t want your hard-earned money to just go down the drain as a result of extreme weather. Make sure that the materials used to build your home are wind and flood-resistant so it is strong enough to withstand heavy rain and high temperatures.

· Roof

No homebuyer wants to purchase a home only to find out later on that he needs to spend a lot on roof replacement. Since most coastal areas are subject to severe weather, make sure that your beach house’s roof can undergo more wear and tear than an average home. Ideally, the best beach homes are those with metal roofs because they are highly wind-resistant.

· Proximity to water

This is another important consideration when buying a Santa Cruz CA beach house. Buying a home that is close to water has its share of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important that you weigh the pros and cons before buying. This is because while living close to the water is convenient, it also increases your flood risk. The good news, however, is that if the home is built with quality materials, living in close proximity to the water may just be worth the added maintenance for you and your family.

· Outdoor living area

One of the reasons you probably want to buy a beach house in Santa Cruz is to enjoy the great outdoors. That is why you have to make sure to assess the outside living space of a home during your search. Consider if it has a patio or porch, offers a scenic oceanfront view, and other aspects that are important to you.

· Potential rental income

If you intend to rent out your beach house, it is imperative that you assess whether or not the beach home you’re looking at will be a good return on your investment. If you find that the monthly fees, initial and maintenance costs are too much, then that means the beach house is not a wise short-term investment. It would also be wise to avoid a one-bedroom beach house because beach houses with more than one bedroom ideally get rented out much more easily than those with only one.

· Flood risk

Considering a beach home’s flood risk is necessary when house hunting. Before you consider buying a beach house, research whether its location is a high-risk flood zone. Even if the coastal home is not in a high-risk flood zone, you may need to purchase flood insurance for peace of mind. Consider also whether the home you are looking to buy is located on an upward hill or a slightly elevated slope to prevent flooding during heavy rains.

Looking for beach homes for sale in Santa Cruz CA?

Whether it’s your primary or your secondary resident, your beach home purchase must be well thought through. As you search for beach homes in Santa Cruz, arm yourself with knowledge so you know everything that is involved with owning a beach property. After all, your beach home should be a place where you create beautiful memories with your family and friends, not a nightmare.

If you need help with your beach home purchase in Santa Cruz, call me, Sandy Wallace, at 831-818-7099 today. My knowledge and expertise in Santa Cruz CA real estate will definitely help you find the beach home you’ve been dreaming of.