Holiday House, not Beachfront. Does it matter?

Not really - in essence you are giving up the view for the ability to actually have the holiday home!

Wow, I rarely disagree with building-expert but this time I will. Our home is beachfront with great views. My opinion.

Finances - personally, I wouldn't over extend the budget. Worrying about money would take away any fun for me.

Costs to build - I don't know how protected the beach is but if it is a surf beach, the closer you are the more it costs to build. Example, we recently did a knock down rebuild. If we had a Colorbond roof (didn't) we would have had to use Stainless Steel. If we were building on the opposite side of the street, Ultra, price difference approx. $30K.

Maintenance - ditto above, the closer to salt the higher the ongoing costs.

Kids - I think views are more important to adults. When I was a kid we used to stay in a caravan park within walking distance to the beach. Some of the best fun memories of my life.

Investment- we first bought here 30 years ago when this wasn't considered a "desirable" suburb. Yes our land value has increased a lot but so have the values a few streets back. There doesn't seem to be a massive difference in the percentage increase though.

Holiday rental - Ditto above. Our beachfront neighbours get more $ than those a few streets back, but it is relative.

It depends on what you want and what you can afford and your priorities. We are all different and at different cycles. Some are raising families whilst others are empty nesters. So there is no right or wrong opinion only what is right for you. This is why this forum is great.

Yes there is high maintenance cost with exposed properties but that's the cost of the beach. You have high termite risk and fire risk in bush properties.

I would not encourage anyone to be reckless but it's OK to be ambitious and if you can be creative with your finances and do your hunting you can be lucky and find the right beach property.

There is nothing wrong with beach side as opposed to beachfront and there is nothing wrong with beachside as eventual stepping stone to beachfront if that is the ultimate goal.

Investment? Good waterfront is scarce and will always be in demand simply because for each beachfront there is a hundred properties in secondary position. Prime properties not only rent for more but also for longer, more frequently and you don't get rif raf.

Getting used to views? Yes I know it can happen but there are views and there are views. One of my clients has beachfront in Portarlington and he was telling me that he immensely enjoys views every time he is there. Mine blows my head gasket every time.

For those hunting, you can still get good waterfront in Tassie for around 300K (maybe with your own mooring or jetty) with sensational views and it won't last forever at this price. God isn't making any more beaches. $200 return trip from Melbourne for 2. Keep hunting.

Yes and no. Location is king - but price dictates what we do.

If you're talking about a weekender - around the corner from the beach - it might be great. I feel you have to judge things on a case by case basis. Clearly on the beach is the best. But - better views might be had on the higher spots ? Is there a cliff face - building here might work out better - if you intend retiring there - ie the view and position - and maybe lack of salt air.

Kids won't mind a 200 metre walk if the beach is there. A corner shop - chips and an ice cream - ahhhh ?

But - it all depends on the money.

Hi building-expert. From MummyFrog80's post I got the impression a beachfront property wasn't even an option at this point. What I was trying to say was that if a property a couple of streets back met all other criteria and was within budget now, I wouldn't put a red line through it based solely on it not having views.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said in your second reply to this post.

BTW, I said we have great views, after looking at Frogmouth Cottage, I'd say yours are stunning.