If you live – or travel – anywhere in the Southeast, you’ve heard of 30A. You’ve seen the bright blue-and-yellow bumper stickers and heard the litany of beaches: Rosemary, Alys, Grayton, Miramar, Seagrove. Even the individual resorts are familiar, like WaterColor and Seaside.
Just a few hours from Birmingham, the Gulf Coast has long been a vacation destination for travelers from across the Southeast and beyond. What is it that draws so many of them to the stretch of beaches along 30A?
What’s so great about 30A?
The beaches of 30A are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s just that simple. The sugar-white beaches and emerald waters are unmatched anywhere. Honestly, if the view were the only thing 30A had to offer, it would be enough. But you’ll also find amazing restaurants offering everything from fine coastal cuisine to local seafood favorites (BBQ shrimp, anyone?).
And in addition to some relaxing time chilling on the beach, you’ll find plenty of other outdoor activities to occupy your time. On the water, you can take a pleasure cruise or a deep-sea fishing trip. Or put some muscle into it with a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Do some surf fishing from the shore or just take a walk on the miles and miles of soft sand.
If that’s not outdoorsy enough for you, you’ll find eight state parks, state forests, and campgrounds within a short drive for hiking, fishing (both freshwater and saltwater), or just an afternoon picnic.
Boutique shopping is another great way to let an afternoon drift away. You’ll find lots of quaint shops filled with one-of-a-kind items – beach themed or otherwise – to remember your time here. And because there are so many artists who make this area their home, you could go home with more than just a souvenir… you could find a real work of art or the piece you never knew you always needed. Make your way from the Village at Baytowne Wharf to the Merchants of Rosemary Beach for a whole day – or even two!
OK, it’s great. But can I afford it?
Clearly 30A is a wonderful place to spend your vacation days but buying may seem like a daunting step. As you decide for yourself whether you can afford to make a real estate investment in the area, consider these factors. Right now, interest rates are still low, making it more affordable than ever to invest in real estate. And real estate prices in the area are most likely to increase, meaning the sooner you invest, the better off you’ll be. When you consider what you’ve already invested in renting other people’s vacation properties in the area— and the fact that your real estate investment will offer dividends no other vacation option can deliver – it may make a lot of sense to consider buying.
How are the rental possibilities?
If you’ve stayed anywhere on 30A before, you know that rental units don’t come cheap. Whether you’re interested in a single-family home or a condo, finding a rental property can be a challenge, especially during peak seasons like Spring Break. As a property owner, you can expect to generate more than $30,000 in rental income. Working with a local vacation management company, you could enjoy the easy income of your own investment property in a popular vacation destination. Depending on how much you plan to use your vacation home versus rent it, you may be able to generate enough income to cover the cost of the property and beyond. Talk about sunny prospects! And don’t forget about the potential tax deduction.
Will I want to come here year after year?
A beach trip is a perennial family favorite, an escape that offers something for everyone. But with your very own vacation property on 30A, you won’t have to reserve that fun for Spring Break or occasional summer holidays. Because it’s just a few hours’ drive, you can head to the beach on any Friday afternoon for a quick weekend trip. Or take advantage of the odd three-day weekend. Imagine enjoying a big family Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration, with everyone together in one place. The best part is you’d have the beach to yourself in the offseason.
Is this someplace I can retire?
Once you’re ready to give up the regular drive down to the Gulf Coast and make a permanent change, you’ll find that living full-time on the Florida Panhandle is just as idyllic as you’d imagined. Instead of fishing or playing golf when you’re on vacation, you can do it any day, every day. You’ll also have the best of both worlds with world-class chefs and artists sharing your charmed coastal life. Eager to have the kids and grandkids come to visit? No worries. You’ll be living where most people dream of vacationing.
If we’ve got you wondering if you could possibly afford beach property, the real estate professionals at LAH can help you figure it out. Check out the available properties online at florida.newnewlahrealestate.mystagingwebsite.com. Then, once you’ve narrowed your search, call our offices at 850.517.9898. An LAH realtor will be happy to help you find the vacation property of your dreams, estimate costs and potential rental income, and show you around your new hometown.
