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How Can Anyone Afford to Buy?

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luvthebeach57

luvthebeach57

Beach Lover
I would love to buy a condo or home in WaterSound as a place to retire, but how can anyone afford these prices??? :yikes:I'm looking at the condos at WaterSound and they range in price from $1-3 million! The homes range from $2.5-6 million! Are most of these condos and homes owned by corporations or investors? The prices are unreal. Does anyone actually buy a property and live there themselves? Maybe if I was fortunate enough to inherit a couple of million dollars, we might be able to afford to buy there. I guess I can give up our dream of owning property near the beach.
 
There are many affordable homes near the beach. Maybe W/C or W/S are out of your range but do not think you can not find a home within walking distance to the beach for under $500,000. I might just know a few. :biggrin:
 
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I second what Bobby J said. THere are many homes that are close to the beach for under $500,000. Some are in subdivisions with covenants and some are not - you do have a choice these days....:wave:
 
Bobby J said:
There are many affordable homes near the beach. Maybe W/C or W/S are out of your range but do not think you can not find home within walking distance to the beach for under $500,000. I might just know a few. :biggrin:
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Agreed. There are many options available that are under $500,000. We even have one that's about to go on the market for around $350,000 ... and it's only 6 blocks to the beach ..... and believe it or not, when there are waves, you can hear them .... you would think the surf was in your backyard. Close enough to walk to the beach but without the worries of being directly gulf front.
 
luvthebeach57 said:
I would love to buy a condo or home in WaterSound as a place to retire, but how can anyone afford these prices??? :yikes:I'm looking at the condos at WaterSound and they range in price from $1-3 million! The homes range from $2.5-6 million! Are most of these condos and homes owned by corporations or investors? The prices are unreal. Does anyone actually buy a property and live there themselves? Maybe if I was fortunate enough to inherit a couple of million dollars, we might be able to afford to buy there. I guess I can give up our dream of owning property near the beach.
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You pay a LOT for the cachet of living in Seaside, Alys, Watercolor, Watersound, or Rosemary.

The cost of my house on the south side of 30A (3 minute walk and 200 yards from the beach near Eastern Lake) won't buy a bare lot on the North side of 30A in those subdivisions. But it IS south of 30A and closer to the beach than the majority of houses in the upscale areas.
 
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luvthebeach57 said:
I would love to buy a condo or home in WaterSound as a place to retire, but how can anyone afford these prices??? :yikes:I'm looking at the condos at WaterSound and they range in price from $1-3 million! The homes range from $2.5-6 million! Are most of these condos and homes owned by corporations or investors? The prices are unreal. Does anyone actually buy a property and live there themselves? Maybe if I was fortunate enough to inherit a couple of million dollars, we might be able to afford to buy there. I guess I can give up our dream of owning property near the beach.
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If you're willing to go off of 30A, Sandestin has some good deals and beach is walkable even if you're on the other side of 98.
 
Watch out for Sandestin. It'll cost you as much in HOA dues as your mortgage. That's also true of Watercolor. The HOA fees are astronomical. The first thing I research when looking at property is what are the HOA fees. Also, how many special assessments have been issued in say the last 5 years. The more amenities - the higher the HOA fees.
 
And no the beach is not walkable from north of 98 in Sandestin unless you're just going for a walk. If you're carrying all of your beach paraphenalia in July you'll never make it!
 
There are some bargains on the roads off of 30-A. The "communities" and HOA just add mucho $$ to the prices and upkeep and aren't worth the headaches IMO.

There IS definitely something to be said for some minor rules that keep folks from keeping livestock or putting a trailer on the lot next door, but when they start in on curtain colors/patterns and having approval over YOUR house. :roll:
 
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2bohemians said:
Agreed. There are many options available that are under $500,000. We even have one that's about to go on the market for around $350,000 ... and it's only 6 blocks to the beach ..... and believe it or not, when there are waves, you can hear them .... you would think the surf was in your backyard. Close enough to walk to the beach but without the worries of being directly gulf front.
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Just in case anyone is interested, the neighborhood that we will be listing the house for sale in does not have any HOA fees.
 
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