How to buy ‘the right’ Surfcoast beach house…

As the summer break comes to a close, school goers reluctantly start getting ready for another school term and disappointed holiday goers return to the big smoke post-holiday; we have a large influx of potential buyers hitting online portals and open homes over the weekends to start the process of pursuing their own “endless summer”…

If you’re thinking about buying your own Surfcoast beach house for yourself or to rent out short term as a holiday let, which is a great idea over the summer period to cover overheads, there are important factors to consider to ensure the home will serve you as a good long-term investment.

Location, Location, Location

In order to appeal to holiday-seekers year-round, you’ll need to search for properties close to shops, restaurants, cafes, readily available beach access, park/playground accessibility and proximity to walking tracks for example. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to pay top dollar for a beach front home along the Esplanade, Torquay or Ocean Boulevard, Jan Juc. Home’s in the likes of Torquay North’s up and coming pockets with access to fresh new cafes, parks, sports grounds, while only a short stroll or bike ride to the pristine Whites beach in Torquay for example.

Keep the seas close, and the views closer

A holiday home close to the beach will top-most vacationers’ checklists, so purchasing a house walking distance to the seaside is highly recommended. If this is proving difficult to find, then a home with a view of the surrounding area (and ideally the ocean) will also appeal to potential renters.

Bedrooms a plenty

For many Australians, it wouldn’t be summer without at least one getaway to the seaside with the family. Families will be ideally looking for multiple bedrooms to house any extra members of their entourage. The more bedrooms your beach house has, the more appealing it will be for families. It’ll also boost your rental yield, allowing you to charge more for the additional bedrooms. 

Be prepared for renovations & improvements

In most coastal communities, the houses tend to be slightly older, having been built in the 60s or 70s. While this is generally good news if you’re looking for solid foundations and structure, keep in mind they may require more significant renovations than newer builds.

Beach front properties are also more prone to erosion and wind damage, so a solid structure such as a brick foundation is key.

If you are buying a property with a view to renovate, it is also important to first do your research on the area. Not only in terms of your budget, but the availability of the tradespeople from the local area you would need to complete the job, the accessibility of the site and council regulations.

For more information on how myself and Hayden Real Estate can assist with securing the right / ideal surfcoast home – please reach out for obligation free discussion, anytime.