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Walk to the Beach! Uh, No Frickin’ Way

This one is something we don't have to deal with here in the Sunshine State but would I really want to have the ability to WALK to the beach if I had to climb those stairs to get back home again? I don't think so............................

Original content by Jeff Dowler, CRS CA DRE #01490977

Walk to the Beach! Uh, No Frickin’ Way

 

Stairs to the beach at Grandview Beach in Leucadia, Encinitas CALiving along the coast in Carlsbad, I often get requests from buyers seeking primary or vacation homes to enjoy a slice of the Southern California life where they can “walk to the beach.”

 

I get that, as I would enjoy that, too, and have in past homes.

 

It’s a loaded request, since first and foremost it brings with it the issue of price.

 

How MUCH are you willing or able to pay for the privilege of walking to the beach?

 

Many buyers, in the general region but more so from other areas, think that with the shift in the market these last 6 years that Southern California bargains are to be found within walking distance to the beach, or looking right at it.

 

Sure, oceanfront and nearby homes have dropped in value, too, but waterfront property and homes near the beaches still command top dollar for the privilege of ocean views and a short walk, or perhaps your own private stairs to the beach (that REALLY is a premium in price, as much as a few hundred thousand dollars). It is nearly impossible to get approval to build stairs these days if they don’t exist and true oceanfront property on the open market is not plentiful and it remains pricey.

 

Direct ocean frontage in Del Mar's Beach Colony, Del Mar CARelated to that question IS the issue of stairs in your walk to the beach, and the streets themselves. If you don’t care, the options are greater, but if you want to be able to walk out your door onto the beach or not have stairs to navigate (due to the bluffs), the choices are fewer.

 

  • You can’t do that in Solana Beach, for example, and the Del Mar Beach Colony, which is at beach level, starts at the mid 7 figures for that honor
  • Carlsbad also has a limited number of true ocean front homes, primarily near Carlsbad Village and at Terramar where the beach can be at or very near your doorstep
  • In Encinitas you need to be close to Moonlight Beach (Lofts at Moonlight Beach are a good example) or you have a lot of stairs…but great views
  • Cardiff has no homes that are direct ocean frontage but many with great views on the hills and close to the beaches and downtown.

 

Moonlight Beach in Encinitas CAThe other issue that really gripes me are agents who advertise a home as being walk to beach, when that walk is, shall we say, fairly substantial. First of all, those looking for a “walk to beach” aren’t generally willing to walk a mile or more, in my experience, and usually they want considerably less, even if they can’t afford it. Maybe a couple of blocks at best.

 

I saw a home today, in fact, when previewing homes for several clients, that is 1.7 miles from the beach (I measured it in my car for god’s sake). The agent, attempting to lure buyers, decided that marketing the home as walk to beach might be a selling point.

 

I think it’s misrepresentation.

 

Walk to the beach? No frickin’ way.

 

Sure it’s possible. But I could also walk from my home to San Diego, about 35 miles, if I wanted.

 

Walk to beach DOES mean different things to different people. Far be it for me to second guess HOW close that means buyers. I steer away from that issue but suggest people test it out themselves so they can be comfortable.

 

Walk to the beach” also raises potential fair housing issues. I’m not getting into that discussion here, and I’ve seen debate about whether talking about “walking distance” violates fair housing or not. It COULD be discriminatory so best avoided in advertising. Wonder what Fair Housing has to say about "walkscore?"

 

Suffice it to say, “walk to beach” is far more complex than one might think at first glance. It bears further discussion to be sure what buyers really want and will tolerate when seeking a home that is "walk to the beach."

 

SEARCH FOR WATERFRONT HOMES FOR SALE IN ENCINITAS

 

SEARCH FOR WATERFRONT HOMES FOR SALE IN CARLSBAD

 

SEARCH FOR DEL MAR BEACH COLONY HOMES FOR SALE

 

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Comments (4)

Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Oh, come on, Barbara-Jo.  Just think what good shape you'd be in if you walked those steps every day :)))  You'd be young and fit at the age of 90 LOL.  And one of the sites that I use for free photos is photobucket.  Search on the word "dragon" and there my cute little fella is at the beginning.  I love him so much, I keep asking my husband if I can have one. :) Definitely computer generated, but I LOVE him!  Glad you enjoyed him too.

Mar 13, 2012 11:40 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

You tell her, Mimi. LOL

Seriously, I get that - some of these stairs WILL defnitely keep you in great shape. But there are also beaches where you can park along the coast road at virtually sea level and hit the sand.

Thanks for the reblog.

Jeff

Mar 13, 2012 02:04 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Barbara Jo,

Some people would go to the ends of the earth to get to the beach. However, the beach conjures up images of relaxation and climbing up and down stairs doesn't seem so inviting.

Patricia

Mar 13, 2012 09:18 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Mimi - I did a 5 mile walk on Monday on the beach............but NOT uphill!

thanks for the dragon graphic...........I could adopt that little cutie!

Jeff - one of these days I may just get out to the Pacific Coast............never seen it.......my Ronnie says it is great but he is a surfer, so naturally, he would love it!!!

Patricia - I have to agree with you on that one!!!

Mar 13, 2012 11:52 PM