When most people think of a beautiful waterfront home, right away their minds turn to a beachfront home. With lots on the beach now averaging almost $2,000,000 and a beach home costing maybe another $2,000,000 – $3,000,000, the thought of investing $5,000,000 to live on the sand becomes out of reach for them. That’s a lot of savings being spent when there are alternatives that offer even greater rewards at sometimes only 25% of the cost to live on the beach.
There are many vacant waterfront lots and a great many 60-year-old tear-down homes where a beautiful new waterfront home can be constructed for about $1,250,000. (Home & Lot!). Beautiful waterfront opportunities are available in all of the beach municipalities between Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. The older housing stock is now being replaced by FEMA compliant newly designed homes, that are energy efficient, meet 150mph hurricane requirements, and have all the amenities and luxuries of new homes today. Literally every week I hear from customers that believe there are no housing opportunities on the beautiful Intracoastal, yet that simply is not true. Yes, no new homes exist for sale that conform to FEMA requirements, but building a new home is an opportunity for that piece of the “American Dream” at a price point that is acceptable for many families.
Many additional misconceptions prevail about an Intracoastal waterfront home versus a home constructed on the beach. Let me outline my reasoning, and why I personally believe that Intracoastal waterfront homes are a superior opportunity, at the greatly lower cost. Here’s my bullet point analysis of this opportunity today:
- Much Better Water View: Sorry, but looking out at the west horizon over the gulf really doesn’t offer much. On the Intracoastal, every day there are dolphins and boat activity, fun to watch from your balcony;
- Better Hurricane Protection: The big storm will eventually hit Pinellas. A great deal of extra protection will be realized on the Intracoastal due to seawall protection. Sure, the waters will rise, but your new home will be many feet above FEMA requirements protecting all living area;
- Keep Your Boat At Home: Why have your boat in a high and dry that you have to drive to instead of in your own back yard when you want to fish or boat?;
- Boat to Your Favorite Restaurant or Beach Bar: Don’t fight the road traffic on Gulf;
- Much Lower Real Estate Taxes: Definitely. Why pay the much higher taxes each year;
- No Late Afternoon Sun: Some people flock to beach lots for the view, only to realize that they have to close the blinds as the west afternoon sun beats the windows. Very hot! Most Intracoastal lots have east orientations, so an afternoon can be spent around a pool shaded by the home;
- Lastly, No Sand Blowing Into the Pool and Patio: Enough said.
How long will this opportunity exist for affordable waterfront homes with all of the positive features listed above? Nobody knows that, but the fact does remain that these costs are increasing between 10% and 15% annually, so the opportunity will become out of reach of many families if they wait. Come by our new furnished model and see just what this waterfront lifestyle offers!
GHD Construction Services, Inc. has constructed 6,500 homes since 1971, and has the new 2018 “Key West” home at 239 144th Ave. N, Madeira Beach. If you have any questions pertaining to new home construction, feel free to call at (727) 954-8345, or email to: tweisser@ghdcsi.com. Meanwhile, look us up on our web site at www.GHDCoastalHomes.