LIVING on the beach is a dream for some, but it may seem unattainable due to the high price of living by the sea.
However, you don’t need to spend a lot to live in the ideal location.
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As part of The US Sun’s Let’s Get Real collaboration series with Realtor.com, experts have revealed a list of the top 10 beach towns with affordable homes in the US.
10. Ocean shores, Washington
- Average list price: $425,000
Ocean Shores, Washington is located about 75 miles from Olympia and 135 miles from Seattle.
The small coastal city sits on the Pacific Ocean and has just over 7,000 residents as of 2023.
Ocean Shores is known for its long Pacific beach, as well as a network of lakes and canals.
9. Newport, Oregon
- Average list price: $399,950
Newport, Oregon is about 130 miles from Portland.
Located on the central Oregon coast, the city had about 10,500 residents last year.
Newport is home to many lighthouses and scenic views and is known as the “Dungeness Crab Capital of the World.”
8. Big Island, Louisiana
- Average list price: $375,000
Grand Isle, Louisiana, is about 100 miles from New Orleans and is located on the Gulf of Mexico.
About 1,000 residents lived in the small beach town last year.
It is the only inhabited barrier island in Louisiana, measuring 7 miles long and has 10 miles of public beaches.
7. Sunset Beach, North Carolina
- Average list price: $340,000
Sunset Beach, North Carolina is 33 miles from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which ranks fifth on the list.
Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal city welcomed around 4,500 residents last year.
As the name suggests, this seaside town is known for its breathtaking sunsets.
It was also included in National Geographic’s list of the 21 best beaches in the world.
6. Corpus Christi, Texas
- Average list price: $315,000
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Corpus Christi, Texas, is about 130 miles from San Antonio.
The city was home to 353,000 people last year and is located on the Gulf of Mexico.
Nicknamed the Bird Capital of America, Corpus Christi is home to the annual Birdiest in America festival.
COMMISSION COSTS
Here’s what Joy Dumandan, consumer editor at The US Sun, had to say…
The dream of becoming a homeowner comes with a price.
There are unexpected costs associated with buying a home. It is better to save for additional expenses.
The biggest upfront fees are closing costs.
These are fees you must pay at the closing of your home, when the title to the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer.
The commission earned varies from state to state.
Expensive payment
A recent $418 million settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is changing Realtor commission rates.
The lawsuit alleges that the real estate industry conspired to keep broker commissions at around 5% to 6% of the home’s price.
Plaintiffs in the suit argued that commission rates advertised on a multiple listing service (MLS), a database used by agents to find homes for clients, allowed real estate agents to prioritize homes with higher rates.
Home sellers may not be aware that they could negotiate buyer’s agent compensation, which appears in the MLS, with the listing agent.
NAR did not admit any wrongdoing, but agreed to change its guidelines to make commission rates more transparent to consumers.
This could result in rates dropping 1% to 2% for home buyers and sellers.
Who pays the commission?
The seller pays the full commission at closing, but it is usually included in the price of the home.
So, for example, if a commission is 6% on a $300,000 home, that would equal $18,000, which is split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents.
A buyer may offer to pay some of the real estate agent’s fees. This strategy can be used to convince a seller to accept a buyer’s offer.
It is important to know your rights, which will be spelled out in the real estate agent contract when you sign to hire a real estate agent.
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Average list price: $299,500
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is situated 95 miles from Charleston.
The coastal city has around 40,000 inhabitants in 2023 and is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
It is known for its wide beaches, nightlife and shopping, and claims to be the golf capital of the world.
4. Dennis Porto, Massachusetts
- Average list price: $277,500
Dennis Port, Massachusetts is located 80 miles from Boston.
The small beach town sits on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and had just over 3,000 residents last year.
Located on Cape Cod, the city is known for its warm beaches, artistic community and marble manufacturers.
3. Deerfield Beach, Florida
- Average list price: $239,950
Deerfield Beach, Florida is about 40 miles from Miami.
The city lies on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and has about 86,000 residents as of 2023.
It is known for its exceptionally clean beaches and family atmosphere.
two. Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Average list price: $239,000
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Atlantic City, New Jersey, is located approximately 200 kilometers from New York City and 100 kilometers from Philadelphia.
Last year, Atlantic City was home to nearly 39,000 residents.
The city sits on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and is known for being home to the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk – the first and longest boardwalk in the world.
The Miss America pageant was also held in Atlantic City for years.
1. Pascagoula, Mississippi
- Average list price: $164,900
Pascagoula, Mississippi, is located about 110 miles from New Orleans and sits on the Gulf of Mexico.
In 2023, the coastal city had around 21,500 residents.
“Pascagoula is a quaint little town that is experiencing a resurgence of development and redevelopment,” said Aritt Davis, a local real estate agent with six years in the industry.
“The revitalization of the city center, the beach, parks and quick access to the water make it a pleasant place to live.
“Couple this with thriving industries like Ingalls Shipbuilding, Chevron and Singing River Health System, and the city has growing employment opportunities.”
In the $164,900 price range, Davis noted that buyers can expect affordable homes ideal for first-time buyers or those looking to downsize.
The experienced broker also said 77 homes have sold in Pascagoula so far this year, with an average sale price of $121,000.
“We typically see homes that have been on the market for more than 60 days,” he shared.
In related news, experts revealed the top five US cities where rent prices fell for the seventh year in a row.
Plus, the nine most affordable cities in America for retirees and homes start at just $110,000 — and number two is a “fun” new addition.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
