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Where Would You Buy an Oceanfront Home on the Pacific Ocean?

By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

July 27, 2011 02:45 AM

I have been thinking about buying a second home. Yup, the market has tanked and everything is going to hell in a hand-basket -- especially in California -- which makes this a **perfect** time to buy. Interest rates are so low and attractive. With rates hovering between 4.5% and 5%, I can't help but believe this suppression of interest rates is unnatural and something's gotta give soon. So, I am feeling a great deal of pressure to buy a second home NOW.

Doomsayers are pointing to the falling market and predicting further price declines. And I say so what? Do I care if prices collapse a little bit? No, because in this market, when you're comparing sales prices versus interest rates, interest rates are gonna win.

I'd like to buy a second home on the ocean. Ideally, the best place to live in America is Hawaii, but my husband refuses to retire there, so I have to let go of that dream. Second best place is the West Coast on the Pacific ocean. It could be California, which is what I prefer because it's warmer, or even Oregon or Washington, which is my husband's choice. I've been searching to see what's available online. After all, it's not like I can hire a West Coast Oceanfront Agent, although somebody should capture those buyers. Oceanfront agents aren't running around like the ubiquitous Sacramento short sale agent. Real estate is local.

I've discovered that using Trulia works pretty well. I can use the "see all homes nearby" function, sort out the sold properties and then follow the map up the coast. I started in Ventura, because I suspect that's about as far south as I can get my husband to go. I've moved up to Newport, Oregon so far. We're hoping to spend under $500,000 and buy a small home on the ocean. Ideally, it would be 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, but we're willing to compromise. It doesn't need to be more than 1,500 or so square feet. Who needs a gigantic house?

So, what do you guys think? Where would you buy an oceanfront home on the Pacific? Where do you get the most bang for your buck and sweeping panoramic views from every room?

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Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Knowing me, I'd pick one of the most expensive places to live. Washington would be out of the question. I need sunshine.

Jul 27, 2011 04:18 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hey Chris Ann: Well, that would probably be Santa Barbara. I like sunshine, too, but there are also places in Washington that are sheltered from the rain and gloom. It's called behind the rainshadow. But I do NOT like to be cold. That's part of the problem with living on the ocean is it's always chillier there. However, I'll put with a little chill for a panoramic ocean view.

My house on the Rincon in Ventura had views from every room. It felt like you were on a cruise ship, except it wasn't rocking. And that's what I'm looking for. It would be nice if it was within driving distance of Sacramento . . .

Jul 27, 2011 08:38 AM

Linda K. Mayer

License # 01767321 - La Verne, CA

Realtor, SRES, SoCAL, A REALTOR YOU CAN TRUST

Actually, Elizabeth, a few years ago, the ocean front property near Ventura, Port Hueneme was relatively inexpensive. Because actually $500K is about 1/2 price for beachfront - still!

Jul 27, 2011 11:53 AM

Jeanean Gendron

The Address Realty - Redding, CA

Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Elizabeth, Stinson beach for up north and Santa Cruz would be the best ever. It is heaven on earth....sweetest place I know. Keep us posted!

Jul 27, 2011 12:39 PM

Hey Linda: The house that fell in the ocean in Ventura was $150,000 -- 2 story, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, LOL. Of course, that was 1981.

Hi Jeanean: I looked at Stinson Beach and Santa Cruz. Oceanfront there is too expensive. And I don't want to be one door off the ocean -- there's no point in that, but on the ocean, yikes, way expensive.

Jul 27, 2011 03:09 PM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Elizabeth, I have no idea, because I'm in Colorado - but I sure am interested to find out how your search turns out. I think you have the right idea about the interest rates. Good Luck Elizabeth, hope you find a great place.

Jul 27, 2011 04:27 PM

Thank you, Mary. I have a feeling it will be a long search because there isn't much on the market right now. And there is no one agent I can turn to for help. Which means i have to rely on myself, and I have other priorities. Like my clients, LOL.

Jul 28, 2011 03:21 AM

Joanne Louise Stevens

Keller Williams Realty Los Angeles-Brentwood - Los Angeles, CA

Realtor - Serving Brentwood and Surrounding Cities

I'm a military Reservist and I drill at Port Hueneme, CA. During the summer months, the temperatures will be cooler than the valley areas.

After September 11, I was activated, so I lived in Oxnard for 6 months. You need to visit the area again and get the feel of it. I like walking in Ventura. The town is a great place to be during the weekends. I usually walk around the Harbor area. If you want, I can create a Listingbook Account, which is linked with my Multiple Listing Service. It's updated every 15 minutes. It will make your search easier.

Jul 28, 2011 07:10 PM

Where Would You Buy an Oceanfront Home on the Pacific Ocean?

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