Vacations are great, but temporary. Ever consider your own Oregon Coast properties?
 

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Finding Oregon Coast property for sale on a piece of your own land along the sandy beaches would be divine. Not only that, but it's a great investment. The demand for Oregon Coast vacation homes for sale, land for sale, condos, and other real estate is great. The costs are nothing to sneeze at, but I guess it all depends on what kind of price tag you would put on your own little piece of nirvana.

There are two primary types of Oregon Coast property you'll be considering: vacation property or residential property. The demand is greater on the North coast than any other portion for both kinds. Beachfront homes can easily range from $850,000 to $1,000,000.

All Oregon Coast real estate is moving extremely well, it's just that the homes in the Northern section seem to be going quicker and appreciating better. Of course, you are always going to be paying more for something right on the beach as opposed to something further inland. You should be able to pick up an average home in town for around $180,000. Something fancy on the beach, though, could possibly run you four or five time that much.

Oceanfront property offers a great return with prices rising faster than inflation and showing no signs of falling. It all comes down to demand for something along the Oregon Coast to call your very own. Only about half of the coast land is privately owned, with the rest of what is buildable already being developed. Oregon Coast homes for sale are getting hard to come by. Nonetheless, older homes are being renovated and people are placing their own houses on smaller slivers of land, just to get a piece of the pie. The fact is, the Oregon Coast is a fantastic place to live and people are clamoring to get there on a permanent basis.

Although the narcotic effect of wanting coastal properties is always present (and as close to the beach as possible), there are some serious considerations that you need to make before you take the plunge.

A couple things to ask yourself if you are looking at vacation property: Is there is enough recreational actives in the area to help it retain it's value? Experts say that's an important thing to look for. Also, make sure you count the cost and look at the realities of maintaining your vacation home. Will you be doing it yourself or will you look at a second party to do it?

When it comes to any beachfront home that you plan to live in full-time, know that the ocean can be brutal at times, dealing out a good deal of erosion. The last thing you would want is to see your beautiful new home sink into the waters. You may consider hiring an engineer to look into it for you. The land is an important thing to think about as you decide your home's placement. A firm foundation is essential in the planning stages. Always build a few extra yards from the ocean than what you were thinking. Better safe than sorry. ;)

Your oceanfront home will be built on one of three general categories of land:

• Basalt
  
  
• Sedimentary soils, such as sandstone and near-stone formations
  
  
• Sand

Basalt is the best you can get for your property. It does erode, but the rate at which it happens is hardly even a consideration. The worst you'll have to worry about if building on Basalt is how the salt will effect your windows and exposed metal, as well as winter storms.

The sedimentary soils are sturdier than sand, but, as is with all land sitting near the ocean, erosion is always going to be a fact. It's just how fast it's going to happen.

Sand is the other end of the Basalt spectrum. Although it can be an excellent source of stability, the amount of erosion is once again a factor. Building further inland will always be safer, regardless of the type of land you decide to build on.

Riprap is something that many people want to use to keep the erosion at bay and harden the shore. Riprap is a permanent cover of rock used to stabilize the land and reduce water erosion. Although it gives piece-of-mind to the homeowner, riprap can cause it's own issues. If you expect that you will eventually have a need to install riprap to preserve your oceanfront home, you will need to contact the Oregon State Parks for a approval and a permit. If the property you plan to purchase was totally underdeveloped before January 1st of 1997, don't bother trying to get a permit from them. Oregon legislation forbids them from issuing one. You may want to consider having a geologist look at any land before you decide on it. That will help you avoid any problems in the future.

The Oregon Coast boasts a number of good builder associations to help you wade through the contractors and subcontractors available to help you break ground on your new piece of land. One good website to check for builder associations in Oregon is at www.contractorfind.com/assoc/or.htm. You can also check with the chamber of commerce for your area or contact the Oregon Building Industry Association at (503) 378-9066 or on the Internet at www.obia.net.

Any contractor you end up hiring, check to make sure that they have a valid and current registration number with the State of Oregon. This permit will offer you some (but not comprehensive) financial protection, just in case something should go wrong. There is a 24-hour contractor inquiry line you can call. The number is (503) 378-4610.

It may sound like a lot to do, but buying a home anywhere is a major deal. Don't let a few necessary hurtles and expenses discourage you from making your dream of having some Oregon Coast property a reality. Once you get all the formalities out of the way and your dream home built, waking to the sounds and sights of the Oregon Coast every morning will pay you back over and over again.

An Oregon Coast home can be yours!

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