Nathan Colmer | The Van Dyk Group
C: 609.290.4293 | O: 609.492.1511
Waterfront homes on Long Beach Island represent the highest level of luxury for most homeowners. Life by the water offers "million dollar" views, with spectacular sunrises over the ocean and sunsets over the bay. Waterfront homes in the LBI real estate market range from affordable oceanfront and bayfront condos to luxurious estates. These homes can be used a primary residences, vacation homes, or lucrative summer rental properties.
Each of the different towns on Long Beach Island offer a unique waterfront lifestyle. The south end of LBI, including the areas of Beach Haven, offer non-stop fun with easy access to shopping, dining, surfing beaches and 24/7 fun in the sun. By contract, the north end of Long Beach Island, including the areas of Loveladies and North Beach, offer private beach access, large tracts of land and unmatched privacy.
When looking to buy or sell a waterfront home on Long Beach Island, it is important to understand the differences between a waterfront home and a non-waterfront home. The value of an oceanfront home will depend greatly on the CAFRA footprint of the home. In other-words, how large of a home can be built on the lot. A property with a generous footprint will allow for larger living spaces and larger decks, thus adding value. Bayfront home prices can be influenced by a Riparian Grant or a Riparian Lease. Having Riparian Rights, allow for the construction of a dock...something of great importance to many bayfront home shoppers for the purposes of docking a boat. Not all bayfront homes have Riparian Rights, so it is important to understand the limitations of these homes.
Oceanfront Homes, also referred to as beach front homes, are properties that directly adjoin the Atlantic Ocean. All things being equal, this is the most expensive real estate on LBI. Single family oceanfront homes will range in value with "tear down" prices starting around $900,000 to beautiful estate homes selling for over $10,000,000! A more affordable option in the oceanfront home market would be to purchase a condo. Oceanfront condos have a wide price range as well with prices starting in the $300,000 to $400,000 area and capping over $1,000,000.
Bayfront homes are properties that have a bulkhead or private bay-beach on Barnegat Bay. Barnegat Bay, which is part of the inter-coastal waterway system, is the body of water that separates Long Beach Island from the mainland of New Jersey. Barnegat Bay is several miles wide and dotted with many small, uninhabited islands that change with the seasons. There are both single family homes and condos available for sale on the bayfront in the LBI real estate market . The presence of absence of Riparian Rights can have a significant impact of the value of a bayfront home.
Lagoonfront homes offer the least expensive waterfront option in the LBI real estate market. Lagoonfront homes offer a protected area to dock a boat that is less at risk to storms and wave action. This can be highly appealing for boaters who are looking for an affordable price point and a place to dock their watercraft. Not all areas of Long Beach Island offer lagoon front homes however they can be found in Beach Haven, The Dunes, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies and High Bar Harbor.
In addition, there are many affordable waterfront homes situated on lagoons across the bay from Long Beach Island in the Beach Haven West real estate market. Beach Haven West, which is not located on Long Beach Island but rather is located just across the bay, offers all the amenities of waterfront living at a far more affordable price.
Living on the water can be a dream come true. Whether you are looking to wake up on the oceanfront and check the surf, dine on a deck with friends while watching a the waves break or walk from your back yard to your boat for a sunset cruise, there is truly nothing like a waterfront home on LBI!