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15 Laid-Back Property Priorities from Beachfront Bargain Hunters

August 19, 2016

By: Lauren Oster

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Show: Beachfront Bargain Hunt

Location is king for seaside settlers, but it’s hardly the only item on their wish lists. Here’s what adds up to a true beachfront bingo.

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A young couple sharing an outdoor shower, with their suits hung to dry.

Photo: TwoSqwareFoto

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An outdoor shower

When life’s a beach, being able to shimmy out of your trunks and into the shower without tracking sand inside is a substantial perk. Sure, the likelihood of locking eyes with the neighbors is a bit higher than it would be from an indoor stall—but the novelty of being able to sunbathe and shampoo at the same time is worth the risk.

Photo: ozenli

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Ceiling Fans

High-tech cooling systems are few and far between in bungalows; that’s what breezes are for, right? When the seaside air doesn’t quite cut it and cranking the A/C isn’t an option, beachfront homeowners are big fans of big fans.

From: Beachfront Bargain Hunt

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A Pool

The only thing better than having easy access to a body of water is having easy access to another body of water, of course.

Bush green hedge with red hibiscus flowers

Photo: kelifamily

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A 'Garden'

...That is, lush native flora that makes itself at home and doesn’t need much in the way of TLC.

Coastal Living Room With Tan Sectional and White Window Seat

Photo: Eric Roth Photography. From: Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

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Fully Furnished Rooms

Tailoring a new vacation home to one’s personal taste is pretty wonderful. Then again, so is not having to budget for and hunt down a bunch of appliances and furniture.

HGTV Dream Home 2011 Ski Dorm Beds and Ladders

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A Bedroom for Kids - Lots of Kids

Few add-ons bust a budget as quickly as spare bedrooms do, and chances are good that the littlest vacationers will end up sharing space. Bunk beds, anyone?

A colorful tropical building is set amid lush greenery and flowers.

Photo: Wildroze

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Bold Color

The same bright paint that’d send inland buyers screaming for the hills can be an actual selling point when it’s splashed across a wall by the sea. Buildings can’t wear tropical prints, but they can come close.

Photo: Jason Kisner

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A Place to Drop Anchor

For captains-to-be, beachfront access isn’t as important as being able to set sail at a moment’s notice. What floats their boats, naturally, is access to a dock.

Contemporary Balcony With Glass Railing and Lounge Chairs

Photo: Willis Allen Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Willis Allen Real Estate

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An Ocean View

Whether it’s steps away, out back by the porch when you stand on your toes and lean over as far as possible, or a serene strip of blue way out the horizon, nothing beats a glimpse of the water. (Even for aspiring captains who fixate on docks.)

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Access to Aquatic Sports

Kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboard yoga, and low-tide horseback riding are to beachfront property owners what grocery shopping, trips to the gas station, and PTA meetings are to the rest of us. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but beachfront living seems to go hand in hand with being a sportsman or –woman.

As seen on Beach Flip, Contestants Melissa and Madhi increased the appraised value of their beach deck by adding a new exterior table, a colorful rug and a comfortable seating area at the renovated Coastal Calm condo. (after)

Photo: Todd Douglas / Getty Images

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A Bit of Distance From Neighbors

While truly private beaches are primarily available on private islands (so much for steals, there), beachfront privacy is still possible—via a strategically angled balcony, say, or a cleverly landscaped property line—and wildly desirable.

HGTV's Beachfront Bargain Hunt: Renovation episode 104 with Wayfair.

Photo: Erin McDevitt/Erin McDevitt Phot

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Counterside Kitchen Seating

It’s an unwritten rule among hosts and hostesses on coastlines around the world that fresh local fare and blended cocktails need to be presented to guests as quickly as is humanly possible. That’s just how hospitality works.

Photo: pamela burley

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Move-in Ready Condition

Quirks that could shave a few thousand dollars from a seller’s asking price are worth tolerating and updating later; serious flaws, on the other hand, often take bargains right out of bargain territory.

Orange Adirondack Chairs Around Fire Pit by the Beach

Photo: Matthew Williams. From: Artemis Landscape Architects

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A Path to the Beach

Slipping on a pair of flip flops (if you’re feeling formal), slinging a bag of towels over your shoulder, and taking a quick stroll to the shore is what beachfront living is all about.

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Outdoor Space

Porches, decks and finished rooftops are all fine places to open a bottle of something festive, take a deep breath of salt air and raise a glass to the sunset.