When it comes to buying a home, many people say that location is the most important feature. You can always fix up the house to your liking, but you can’t change where it’s situated. If you buy a home in a neighborhood that you don’t like, you’re stuck there. Or, if the property values are likely to decrease over time, you could lose money down the road. Both situations aren’t ideal, which is why it’s important to carefully consider where you would like your next home to be located.

With Topsail Island, you can feel secure about buying a home in this beautiful island location. Living on the island has its own unique charms and benefits, plus purchasing a home is a good investment due to the demand for rentals in the area and the steady property values.

If you’re looking for coastal real estate in North Carolina, you won’t be disappointed in the properties for sale on Topsail Island. With affordable home prices, a vibrant local community, and picturesque views practically everywhere you turn, buying a home on the island might be the right choice for you. We’ll go over the unique benefits of living on Topsail Island that you need to consider as you go through your home-buying search. 

Unique Towns

As you consider home listings around the island, you’ll need to take into account the three different towns–North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. Each of these towns has its own energy and distinct features that make it a desirable place to live. Depending on what you value most, you may prefer one of the town’s atmospheres over the other. 

Topsail Beach is located at the southern tip of the island. Known for its laidback vibes and small-town atmosphere, many locals and families call this town home. Thanks to its lack of condos and commercialization, homeowners are able to relax and enjoy the quiet streets and beaches. There is also a lot of history associated with this side of the island, so if you enjoy hitting up history museums, you can check out Missles and More Museum. 

In the middle of the island is Surf City. Here, you’ll find the social center of the island with many restaurants, shops, and fun activities. If you enjoy living within walking distance of all the action, then you’ll appreciate this community-oriented town. However, though there are a lot of shops and restaurants, you’ll still be able to enjoy and learn more about the local wildlife. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center offers many learning opportunities and ways to get involved with the organization if you’re at all interested in marine wildlife conservation.

At the northern end of the island is North Topsail Beach. You won’t find many shops or restaurants, but you will see a lot of new builds. With lower prices than the rest of the island, you’ll appreciate the affordability of housing options in this area. New condos have been built recently, offering more home options for those looking to downsize or want to experience coastal living on a budget. Besides low housing prices, you’ll also enjoy the lush parks, wildlife, and empty beaches. 

As you go through home listings for Topsail Island real estate, it’s important to think about what atmosphere and community benefits that you are looking for in your next home. If it’s important to you to be near restaurants and activities, then you’ll like living in Surf City best. If you prefer empty beaches and affordable new builds, then North Topsail Beach will be the right choice. However, if you like sleepy beach towns that are family-oriented, then Topsail Beach is the best option out of the three towns. No matter what option you choose, all three towns offer access to incredible views of the ocean and surrounding wildlife. 

Beautiful Views

An important feature to consider when browsing through home listings is the value you place on scenic views. Fortunately, if you live on Topsail Island, you are never far away from beautiful coastlines and nature views. However, depending on where the home is located, you may not have the perfect coastal views from your living room windows. 

If having amazing water views is important to you, then you might want to consider a waterfront property or second-row home. Typically home listings will detail if the property is waterfront or second-row because of the high demand for these types of homes. Many people want a gorgeous water view when they wake up in the mornings. However, this also usually means that these houses carry a higher price tag than those without a view of the water. 

If having a water view is important to you, then you may need to compromise on other areas. You’ll find a lot more affordable condos in North Topsail Beach compared to the other two towns that mostly feature single-family homes. Generally, North Topsail Beach has the cheapest housing options available, but it lacks some of the community features that Surf City and Topsail Beach offer. There are also not many restaurants and shops located in this town, so if you want to find these kinds of activities, you’ll have to drive to a neighboring town.

Abundant Wildlife

While going through the process of home searching, you should consider a house’s proximity to wildlife. A lot of home listings on Topsail Island are located near parks and coastlines that have an abundant wildlife population. You can see sea turtle eggs hatching on the beach or take in bird watching at different spots around the island. 

If you enjoy watching the local wildlife, you’ll appreciate Topsail Island real estate regardless of the town you choose. Thanks to its geography, no matter where your home is located, you’re never far away from the Intercoastal Waterway or the Atlantic Ocean, both of which are filled with active populations of aquatic wildlife. 

Affordability

Compared to other beach towns, Topsail Island offers affordable prices on homes and a low cost of living. Because of this, investing in a Topsail Island home is a smart financial move, as home prices have remained affordable yet competitive. If you want to experience the laid-back atmosphere of island living, then buying a home on Topsail Island is an affordable option. A lot of islands and coastal real estate tend to be incredibly expensive. But Topsail Island, though a popular vacation destination, remains affordable for those who want to call the island home.

Buying a new home can be stressful, but if you focus on the benefits of the location, you can easily make the right call. Topsail Island offers a lot of unique benefits thanks to its prime location. You’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views and local wildlife. Additionally, home prices are affordable compared to other island properties and coastal real estate. You’ll also be able to choose from three distinct towns so you can live in the area you enjoy the most. If you’re ready to start exploring home listings,  get in touch with our team today to get started on your home-buying journey.