Are you looking for a property with gorgeous views at a reasonable price? Generally, oceanfront properties carry an incredibly expensive price tag attached to them, as there is a high demand to live close to the ocean. The beautiful views of the waves crashing are calming and peaceful. Plus, with no structures standing in the way, you have direct access to the beach right from your back porch, giving you an up-close view of the local wildlife.

How can you afford the beautiful views of the coast from your home while still being close to the beach? Second-row houses are homes that are located directly behind beachfront homes. They often feature much of the same gorgeous views of the water that the first row of houses enjoys, but at a lower price.

If you’re looking to rent or buy a home on Topsail Island, then you should consider second-row houses. Not only do you still get beautiful views of the water, but there are also common beach accessways and more affordable housing options. Topsail real estate features many second-row beach homes on the market with plenty of views. We’ll explore the reasons why second-row beach homes on Topsail Island are great options for those looking for budget-friendly properties that exude serenity and promote relaxation.

About Topsail Island

Topsail is a twenty-six-mile-long barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. Because of its geography, Topsail has amazing views from most spots on the island. You can enjoy amazing sunsets and sunrises from anywhere on the island, whether you are facing the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway.

The island is also pretty narrow, only spanning about five hundred to one thousand and five hundred miles in width. No matter which three towns you are located in (North Topsail Beach, Surf City, Topsail Beach), you aren’t far away from the water or beaches.

Topsail Island sees a huge influx of visitors during the peak summer season. However, thanks to its long coastline of sandy beaches, there is usually plenty of room to be found on the island’s beaches, even during the summer months.

What Is the “Second Row?”

In terms of housing placement on the island, second-row beach homes refer to houses that are in the second row back from the ocean. The first-row houses are typically noted as beachfront or oceanfront homes in real estate listings. Sometimes, listings will also note third-row houses or clarify if the homes are inland (away from the water).

Since views and location are especially important in the overall value of a house, it’s important to understand the distinction between these terms. Second-row beach homes, though not as valuable as oceanfront or waterfront properties, are still in-demand as vacation rentals, making them a solid investment opportunity.

Many people, both renters and home buyers seek out second-row beach homes because of their high-quality features combined with affordability. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative to oceanfront or waterfront homes, then you’ll want to consider a second-row home.

Why Choose a Home on the Second Row?

Choosing the right home can be daunting. There are a lot of considerations to keep in mind while you go through all real estate options. Does your house absolutely need to be on the beachfront? How important are views to you? What is your budget? All these questions can help guide you through the stressful task of choosing a home.

If you are looking for a home with great views within your price range, then a second-row house is going to be one of the best options. It has a lot of the same benefits as beachfront homes, including amazing views of the water, plus some second-row homes even have accessible beach access. With so many great benefits at affordable prices, it’s little wonder that second-row homes remain a popular Topsail real estate choice.

Views

People come to Topsail Island for the experience of living seaside in a small coastal community. With lush maritime forests, miles of sandy beaches, and abundant wildlife, Topsail Island is a beautiful oasis with stunning views all over the island. Since the location and outdoors are such an integral part of life on the island, it’s important to many people to choose a home with plentiful views of the surrounding water and wildlife.

Due to high demand, however, it may not be feasible for you to buy or rent an oceanfront or waterfront home on the island. In that case, you should consider second-row homes because of the views enjoyable on the property. You will probably encounter some obstruction with the structures in the front row, but you’ll still have beautiful views of the water.

Beach Access

One of the big draws of oceanfront homes is the immediate accessibility of sandy beaches as you walk off your back porch. It’s easy to set up for a day at the crowded beach with your home only steps away. Especially when it’s a crowded summer day, having easy access to your home is a big benefit to families.

While looking at Topsail real estate, you’ll find that a lot of second-row beach homes have easy access to beaches. Thanks to its long coastline, there are many miles of sandy beaches. So, you’ll have no trouble walking over to the beach to find the perfect spot to relax with your friends and family members.

Affordability

Experiencing the beauty of looking out your living room window and seeing seagulls flying over the waves of the Atlantic Ocean is amazing. Topsail real estate is a popular coastal community to experience the priceless serenity of waking up right on the coast.

Like most coastal communities, Topsail real estate can get quite expensive. Waterfront and oceanfront homes are beautiful and highly desirable. However, these traits can drive up the price of a lot of these properties.

Oceanfront homes can be pricey, often pulling over a million dollars in sale price. If you are searching for homes that give you a true island experience, complete with views of the ocean and other nature scenes, then second-row homes are the best deal. With many of the same benefits that beach houses offer, second-row homes can offer you a much more affordable experience of living at the beach. Often these homes sell for much less than oceanfront or waterfront homes.

With a strong tourism season, if you buy a second-row home, you’ll have no shortage of prospective vacation renters for the summer. A lot of homeowners on the island choose to rent out their homes on the island to make a nice profit, making second-row homes a good investment for those looking for a part-time or vacation home.

Topsail real estate has no shortage of properties with beautiful views and close proximity to sandy beaches. Oftentimes, some of the most expensive homes are right on the beach. If you want to experience the close proximity of the beach, as well as stunning views of the water, but you don’t want to pay the high prices of oceanfront homes, second-row beach homes will be the best option. For those looking to start their search for their next home, you can look at our full selection of homes with water views.