Where to buy beach houses under $1.5m, $1m, $750k?,
The most exclusive beach houses now cost millions, but it is still possible to find affordable properties.
In several pockets of regional NSW, houses can be purchased for less than $1.5 million.
Additionally, some coastal towns offer even more affordable options.
In these towns, the median house price is often half that amount or even lower.
House prices in the most sought-after postcodes have far exceeded these levels.
Byron Bay’s median house price is slightly above $2 million, according to Domain data.
Nearby, Suffolk Park’s median is at $1,925,000.
However, further along the coast, Ballina’s median remains more affordable, sitting at $800,000.
East Ballina’s median house price is higher at $1.09 million.
Just to the south, in the secluded Patchs Beach, Vicki McCarty is selling her parents’ home for $1.3 million.
Patchs Beach was named after her grandfather, Albert “Reub” Patch, a farmer who subdivided lots in the 1960s.
A third-generation Patch, McCarty grew up playing on the beach and has strong ties to the area.
The family home for sale was built by her parents in the 1980s.
In addition, they built a second home on the property.
“There are only 16 houses here, and one block remains undeveloped,” McCarty explained.
“It’s a very peaceful and quiet beach,” she shared.
“It’s rare to find a place with both beautiful sunrises and sunsets, but we’re lucky to have both.”
The 63-year-old retiree purchased her own home at Patchs Beach in 2016, alongside her husband.
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She managed her parents’ estate for six years, which included a rare flood and a full interior renovation.
“I’m selling because I can no longer manage both my yard and the larger yard here,” she explained.
Travers Golding from LJ Hooker Ballina, the listing agent, has received more than 100 inquiries about the home.
The property is listed with a guide of $1.3 million, with most interest coming from investors.
“Opportunities like this rarely come up, so the property has been highly popular,” Golding noted.
For buyers seeking a coastal lifestyle or beach investment under $1 million, various options remain available.
On the south coast, the median house price is $950,000 in Culburra Beach and $942,000 in nearby Callala Bay.
In Shoalhaven Heads, the median house price is $915,000.
Recently, Ray White Real Estate Callala Bay and Culburra Beach’s Julie Gauci sold a beach shack at auction.
The property, freshly renovated, was sold for $970,000 at Culburra Beach.
“To have a block of land that size with a house, despite needing work, a few hundred meters to the beach.
It offers excellent value, especially in this area,” Gauci said.
“Even a sale just under $1 million still brings a good profit, and we’re very pleased with the results.”
Records show the home last sold for only $97,000 back in 1998.
Gauci mentioned that the suburb is no longer a hidden gem.
COVID-19 put it on the map, attracting buyers such as holidaymakers, young families, and retirees.
“We see many first-time buyers here who commute to areas south of Wollongong.
They can’t afford to buy in those locations, so they choose this area.”
Other south coast towns with similar price points include Ulladulla at $837,500, Tura Beach at $830,000, and Tuross Head at $785,000.
For buyers on the north coast with a budget of $1 million, Port Macquarie is an option at $812,500.
Alternatively, Old Bar at $780,000 and Forster at $777,500 also offer possibilities.
For those with a budget under $750,000, there are still several options.
These include Sussex Inlet at $749,000, Coffs Harbour at $740,000, and South West Rocks at $715,000.
Other affordable locations include Eden at $632,500 and Nambucca Heads at $620,000.
Grant Holman of H Real Estate sold a three-bedroom, single-level home for $610,000 in Eden earlier this year.
The home was located just a five-minute walk, under 500 meters, to a family-friendly sandy beach.
Holman shared that most buyers are from out of the area.
Many seek investment properties, often as part of their retirement plans.
“Over the years, there’s been considerable buying and renovating, leading to gradual improvements in the market,” Holman explained.
Holman also noted that few newly renovated properties have returned to the market.
However, he expects more to be listed in the future.
“Every six or seven years, there’s a market turnover,” he said.
“You’ll likely see higher quality homes coming onto the market in the next few years.”
