Serenity Now: Selecting that perfect property on (or near) the coast

By Charlene Arsenhault, Boston Magazine

You have always envisioned having A home sitting pretty on the sands. You crave the smells of the salty sea wafting through your window in the morning, the swish of waves lapping the shore as the sun descends in the infinite horizon, and the pebbled beach just outside your door. It’s a glorious vision, and an attainable dream.

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Demand for oceanfront property has skyrocketed, which has made it a limited commodity – even sending some to opt for lakefront homes as alternatives. Don’t get discouraged! The beach home of your dreams is not impossible to find. If you’re scouting for such a place, how do you figure out where and what the best properties are? Check out what these realtors, who have their fingertips on the pulse of the market, have to say about it.

“I discussed this with John, my husband and business partner, and he and I agree,” says Kathy Harding, owner of RE/MAX Bayside in Cataumet (508.563.9777, www.hardingrealtycorp. com).“The perfect coastal property is one that offers immediate access to the water, as well as spectacular views. Most people settle for one or the other, but to have a private beach, dock and wonderful view makes coastal living an experience that most people can only dream of. Now, add a well appointed, gracious home with numerous bedrooms for guests and family and voila! Perfection.”

The seacoast real estate market is strong, and that is good news for owner and broker Gregory Gosselin of RE/MAX Seacoast Region (207.985.8158, www.seacoastregionproperties. com), a real estate agency concentrating on coastal Maine.“The buyers are diverse,” he says,“and Maine provides a wide array of living opportunities.”

Gosselin believes there is no “perfect” coastal property.What is ideal for one may not be another’s preference. He’d personally search for “a Maine coast shingle style cottage with a sloping roofline, various gables to glance upon the scene, windows overlooking a tidal pool or expanse of open water. But most of all, a view that changes with the seasons, with fall colors along fields and marshland to the simple clarity of the winter blanket.”

For many, a coastal property simply means access to the waterfront – a home that sits within a coastal community, sharing the breeze from the shore, even if it is set a little off the coastline.As principal for the Collaborative Companies of Burlington and Boston, Sue Hawkes markets multifamily communities throughout Northern New England (781.270.7575, www.tccrealestate.com). Among its properties are The Residences at Black Rock, Hingham (www.blackrockresidential.com). These 136 condominiums are luxury freestanding homes with complete amenities, including a golf course, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and concierge services. And, it is also considered a coastal community.

“Water has always had its lure,” says Hawkes.“Serenity, peacefulness, uninterrupted views and the added lifestyle of boats and breezes … Black Rock’s residences provide much of the same desired amenities – uninterrupted views, lifestyle activities without the concern of waterfront maintenance and damage, and at a much lower cost.”

Hawkes is finding that people today want a sense of community – a “lifestyle” that is perhaps even grander thanthe home in which they sit down to dinner each night. Community members want to “live and play in the same place.” Gosselin agrees. Buyers may first look to find a spot right on the water, but that isn’t always realistic, affordable, or available.“The next option is, can I walk to the beach in 10 minutes,” he says,“while carrying a bag with lunch, something to drink, a blanket or chair, suntan lotion and money? Once you get beyond the 10 minute walk to the beaches, you then have those that will gladly stay along the coastal rivers while enjoying the use of small boats to navigate the many bridges touring in tenders and small dinghies.” Southern Maine, he adds, is relatively safe from storm surges.

When you’re shopping for anything, be it a pair of shoes to your own island, it’s important to cover all the bases. The professionals offer some guidelines to follow when shopping for a coastal property. First, if the property isn’t “on” the water, find out if there are deeded beach rights.Are there velocity zone issues, flood insurance costs, conservation requirements for removing trees or septic requirements? “If you are purchasing land,” says Harding,“it is a good idea to have a septic permit in hand or make it a contingency.”

According to Harding, the beachfront and dock are the most important factors in choosing an oceanfront property, with the view and amenities additional criteria.Though many may think coastal storms are a concern, she feels it is the least critical issue to consider. It’s been more than 12 years since “Hurricane Bob” threatened properties.“Dune access is not much of an issue,” she adds, “and should be discouraged for conservation reasons.Things may be different on the lower Cape.”

“The views are absolutely a huge part of the value of the property,” says Hawkes. “Water and golf course frontage are the top two add ons to the perception of the values of the home.Within the same community, you can have a lot premium of hundreds of thousands of dollars added onto the home for either of those two amenities. They are clearly the most desirable location variables.”

The chance to spruce up your seashell collection may be sooner than you think. Once you and your realtor have found the ideal property for you, then you can start thinking about what kind of boat you’d like to have tied to the dock. “People are drawn to the water in some primal way,” says Harding. “They gaze at a beautiful waterfront view and there is almost a deep sigh of relaxation.”