Chilly Weather and Hot Deals

March at the beach is not typically filled with frosty mornings, yet here we are with exactly that. Maybe this chilly but sunny weather will bring out the house hunters.

I have often showed value oriented properties here, inexpensive properties for the budget minded beach goer. But the deals don't stop at the entry level price range; what if I told you there was a beautiful house on a nine acre parcel of beach front property for less than $600,000? Now will you take the red pill? OK for those of you that haven't seen the Matrix, both of you ;) That was a movie reference. It is real and only on the Long Beach Peninsula could such a great estate be priced so reasonable.

Sotheby's International Realty has this fine property listed and I figured I would feature it right here on the blog. This fantastic retreat style home has 1590 SF 3 beds and 2 baths. The chalet style fits with the wooded forest meadow the house sits on. The property leads down towards the beach. for which there is a 200 foot wide piece all the way to mean high tide.

All this, right on the beach for $595,000, no way, I must have taken the blue pill by accident, is this real? Yes it's real friends. The Long Beach Peninsula offers excellent values like these and for those that can't swing the half-million dollar stuff, I found older single wide mobiles on 0.25 acre lots for less than $50k.


I never cease to be amazed at the huge difference in value between the Northwest Oregon Coast and the Southwest Washington Coast. All just separated by a bridge across the mighty Columbia River.

Take a ride out to the coast, enjoy the sun and surf, or the strong storms crashing the beach, but while you're out there, peak around at the real estate. You never know what treasures you may find.

Less than 150k at the Beach? Yes!

I am highlighting two properties this time that represent great opportunities on the Long Beach Peninsula. First, take a look at this little charming cottage. Is this not the quintessential American beach house? This one has 868 square feet with 2 beds and 1 bath. It is about a 1/3 mile from the beach. It is listed a mere $127,500. It is really cute on the inside as well. This is not a poor condition property. This little charmer could be a permanent residence, rental or vacation home. This home is a short one block stroll to the market/deli. 

I also found this top floor condo that is right on the beach! This unit is 2 beds and 1,5 baths with 965 square feet and ocean views. It is listed at just $139,500. I have featured units in this complex in the past. This would make a great vacation rental. The complex has all the amenities a vacationer would want! This facility is located in Long Beach and is close to shopping and did I mention, it is on the beachfront?

So check out these great opportunities at the coast, or just come out and watch the storms roll in.

Ocean Front under 200k? Believe it!

I was wandering about on the multiple listing service and stumbled upon this interesting and fantastic property. It is a lovely 1930s cottage with a two bedrooms and a bath. The living area totals 728 square feet. It is an absolutely charming little house that appears to have been very well kept.

The strange thing about this house however is the property on which it sits. The home sits on a 1.5 acre lot that is only 40 feet wide. Barely wide enough for the house. The lot extends more than 1600 feet to the beach. This is true beach front property.

The pink colored lot is the lot and house for sale, from Pacific, County Mapsifter

Like the headline says, this home is under $200k; in fact it is listed for just $189,900. Sure it is just a cottage but it is a tidy little house and it has beach front access! Sure it's only 40 feet of beach front but it's still beachfront! This house is in the city of Long Beach, Washington. It is very close to the Columbia River, Ilwaco, WA Astoria, OR. This is not way up on the peninsula. Long Beach hosts a variety of events every year and has a charming, classic American beach town setting.

I never cease to be amazed at the beach-side opportunities here in the Evergreen State. This property offers up retirees or families seeking a vacation home something they can afford from the middle class rather than the wealthy class. We have some of the best coastal living in America, and sometimes it's even a bargain!

Upscale Coastal Living

I came across this listing today in the RMLS for a property in Ocean Park. This is a fabulous 3400 plus SF home is situated on a large 15,000 foot lot with stunning views of the beach and the mighty Pacific Ocean. This is grand coastal living with spacious accommodations and beach access.

I love featuring properties at the coast. I have shown some affordable condos and mobile homes within in a couple of blocks of the beach at less than $125k. Every now and again it's nice to dream big.

This modern style cape cod has all the beach charm without giving up the metro amenities. The listing is priced at $699k and that would be a decent price for house this big in a garden variety neighborhood in Portland or Vancouver. This one is on the beach however and that makes the price amazing.

I would love to be able to enjoy the fabulous Long Beach Peninsula in this fantastic home and I am sure you would too. Today it is toasty warm in Vancouver with the mercury teasing the 90 mark. meanwhile it is a gorgeous sunny day with a nice cool 65 on the thermometer.

 So get out to the coast and soak up some summer weather at the beach. Poke around at some real estate while you are there. Who knows, maybe your dream property is waiting for you. You never know and your won't find out till you take a ride west.

Enjoy.

Beachfront Property is so Alluring

Photo from RMLS

There is just something magical about a beachfront home. In past articles on this blog I have shown properties across a variety of price ranges even the $100k range right on the beach. Today I found a 2,800 square foot home situated on more than 3/4 of an acre right at the feet of the mighty Pacific Ocean. This Ocean Park home is listed on the MLS for $545,000. It is by no means an inexpensive home, but compared to its brethren on the Oregon Coast just a few miles south, it is a bargain. I continue to remain amazed at the shear value offered to buyers on the Washington Coast. There is nearly an acre of ground fronting the largest body of water on Earth. This home is spacious, nicely appointed although not overly luxurious. It offers high vaulted ceilings with lots of glass to take in that gorgeous ocean view. 

Photo from RMLS

I write another blog; Retire to Washington and I often tie in our amazing coastal value to posts on that blog. The coast is after all ideally suited for retirees. The weather is more consistent, lacking the hot weather often found inland and perhaps more importantly less frequent snowfall. Retirees need not commute into work so that is completely off the table. Everything you need is right there in town. 

Come out and visit Washington's somewhat less famous coast and see for yourself just how wonderful it is. While you are there take a peek around at some real estate. You can find some outstanding values on property you may have thought was unattainable. 

Ocean Park Dreams

 Last week I mentioned in the welcome post that there is amazing opportunity to own beach property in Southwest Washington for prices well within reach of middle class citizens. Today I would like to talk about a home that recently sold in Ocean Park.

This amazing property features nearly 1800 square feet of living space as close to the beach as is possible. You can see the trail from the backyard patio right out onto the sands that touch the biggest body of water on this planet. This home was a nice clean, move in ready property with easy and quick access to the beach and it sold for just $300,000. The features lots of glass and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean crashing on the shores of the beach just a few hundred feet away!

This type of home right on the beach on the Oregon Coast would easily cost twice to thrice as much. Here in the great state of Washington, dreams can come true.


Ocean Park is right smack in the middle of the Long Beach Peninsula. Long Beach has been billed as the longest drive-on oceanfront beach in the world. Although some may refute it's biggest in the world status it is an amazing 28 miles of drivable beach. The beach is actually designated as a State Hwy. The Long Beach Peninsula is a skinny piece of ground that juts northward from the mouth of the mighty Columbia River. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and that famous beach. To the east is the Willapa Bay. The peninsula ranges between one and two miles wide and is roughly 30 miles in length. Beginning at Ilwaco and terminating at Leadbetter Point State Park this peninsula provides both ocean front and bay front living and your never far from either.

Imagine owning your own home at the beach. There are opportunities to own property less than a 1/4 mile from the beach and under $100,000.