What to know before buying an apartment by the coast

Picture this: you’ve just spent a weekend on the coast. The coffee tastes better, the mornings feel slower, and by Saturday afternoon, you’ve already Googled “apartments for sale near me.”

You’re not alone. Coastal markets across Australia continue to lure everyone from first-time buyers to seasoned downsizers, each chasing the same dream: beachside lifestyle, investment potential, and that unmistakable ocean-air nostalgia.

But before you dive headfirst into seaside living, there are a few essential things to know, especially if you’re considering apartments or townhouses, which now make up a significant share of new coastal offerings.

Here’s your summer-ready guide to buying by the beach.

1. Understand what you’re really paying for, beyond the view

Coastal living isn’t just about the purchase price. In fact, the real cost of seaside life often hides in the fine print.

While some coastal towns have become more accessible post-COVID, others continue to carry a premium due to high demand and low supply. Waterfront and water-adjacent homes, including apartment developments, tend to command premium prices simply because there’s limited coastline to go around.

But purchase price is just the beginning. Factor in:

• Higher insurance premiums, especially in flood or storm-surge zones.
• Body corporate fees, often higher in coastal buildings due to salt-air wear and tear.
• Ongoing maintenance costs for strata buildings dealing with corrosion and weather exposure.

If you’re dreaming of low-maintenance apartment life, check that the strata scheme is well-funded and proactive about long-term upkeep.

2. Location matters, but not just for the view

A beachfront outlook is wonderful, but coastal living comes with practical considerations.

Access & lifestyle infrastructure

Is the property close to supermarkets, healthcare, cafes, and transport? Remember to review the neighbourhood holistically, not just admiring the shoreline.

Proximity to the water

Having a waterfront property may be the goal, but sometimes being a street back can offer better value while still delivering the lifestyle. If walkability to the sea is important, try physically walking the distance between the apartment address and the beach to ensure it’s realistic day-to-day.

Future development and feel

Emerging neighbourhoods can be amazing opportunities, with laid-back beach villages transforming into vibrant lifestyle hubs. But check council plans so you understand how your serene morning shoreline might evolve over time.

3. Get serious about climate and environmental risk

Every coastal buyer should be aware of erosion, flooding, rising sea levels, and storm surges.

Environmental risks can impact both safety and future property values, making it essential to research local climate resilience and insurance needs before buying.

A building may look pristine in summer sunshine, but salt air and high winds test structures year-round, especially apartment balconies, windows, and façades. A thorough pre-purchase inspection is non-negotiable, with special attention to rust, corrosion, and waterproofing.

4. Consider the culture of coastal strata living

Buying an apartment or townhouse means buying into a community, and coastal communities operate differently from urban ones.

Short-term holiday rentals are far more prevalent in regional beach areas, especially in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, where fewer restrictions exist. This can affect:

• Noise levels
• Building traffic
• Strata decision-making
• Long-term rental supply

If you’re planning to rent your apartment on Airbnb when you’re away, check whether the building allows it and be mindful of tax implications if the ATO considers the property available for rent while you’re using it yourself.

Strata expectations may also differ from what you’re used to in the city. Regional strata committees can operate more casually or with different norms, so ask how the building is managed and what systems are in place.

5. Think long-term: lifestyle, work, and investment returns

Coastal living can be life-changing, but it’s not a decision to romanticise without planning.

It is important to assess your career setup: remote work flexibility, commute expectations, and the practicality of living further from major centres.

On the investment front, coastal apartments and townhomes can deliver:

• Strong holiday rental returns
• Steady long-term capital growth in tightly held suburbs
• Increasing appeal due to population movement toward lifestyle regions

But as coastal markets shift more dramatically than metro ones, with some towns seeing both rapid growth and later declines, treat it like a genuine investment: research, inspect, and compare comparable sales.

6. Get your legal and financial checks in order

Understand your obligations, from contract terms and cooling-off periods to title searches, insurance timing, and building/pest deadlines, especially if you’re buying in Queensland where processes and duties can differ from other states.

If you’re buying off-the-plan (common in new coastal developments), check:

• Sunset clauses
• Project timelines
• Builder credibility
• Strata budgets and projected fees

And always seek advice from conveyancers with local coastal experience, as regulations, erosion overlays, and zoning issues can vary significantly between councils.

Coastal properties worth a closer look this summer

Looking for the perfect coastal property? Look no further! Here’s a list of seaside apartment and townhouse projects perfect for anyone ready to transform holiday-daydreams into reality:

1. Enclave by Graya: Broadbeach, QLD

Australia’s number one luxury developer brings their signature style beachside with Enclave by GRAYA, comprising just 24 full-floor residences now under construction.

Here, architectural luxury is inspired by the Gold Coast’s iconic beach culture, where every home enjoys uninterrupted panoramic views from the Hinterland to the Pacific Ocean. It’s no wonder 75% of homes are now sold.

Selling from $6.3 million for a three-bedroom full-floor residence.

2. Hali Dromana: Mornington Peninsula, VIC

69 beachfront townhouses inspired by 1960s holiday charm. Hali Dromana encapsulates Mornington Peninsula living at its finest: refined, modern, with that signature bayside charm, all on a 5,000 sqm private parkland by the sea.

Here, you can wake to sea breezes, walk to your favourite café, and enjoy a light-filled, low-maintenance home designed by Cera Stribley for relaxed coastal living, with the Melbourne CBD about an hour’s drive away.

Selling from $1.185 million for a two-bedroom townhouse.

3. BASK Bokarina: Sunshine Coast, QLD

As the final development in the Bokarina beach precinct, BASK presents the very last opportunity to secure a piece of paradise in this coveted Sunshine Coast location.

Positioned steps from the surf, you'll be welcomed into a thriving, tranquil community enriched with an abundance of amenities as BASK is located within Stockland's renowned Bokarina masterplanned community. Yet, nine retail spaces ground the apartment development itself, ensuring leisure and convenience.

Selling from $1.599 million for a north-facing three-bedroom apartment.

4. One Redcliffe: Moreton Bay, QLD

Set to become an iconic new landmark on the picturesque Redcliffe Peninsula, One Redcliffe brings luxury waterfront living to life just north of Brisbane. Comprising 214 stylish one- to four-bedroom apartments and penthouses across two elegant towers, this development is all about modern coastal sophistication, with sunlit open-plan living spaces, expansive balconies with water views, resort-inspired amenities, plus ground-floor retail right at your doorstep.

Positioned perfectly for beach walks, breezy cafes, and a waterfront lifestyle, it’s a vibrant blend of seaside serenity and everyday convenience, with the Brisbane CBD around 40 minutes away and gorgeous Moreton Bay right outside your window.

Selling from $1.499 million for a three-bedroom bayside apartment.

The bottom line

Buying near the coast can be both a lifestyle upgrade and a smart long-term move, as long as you do your homework, ask the right questions, and view each property with a balance of heart and head.

Whether it’s a weekend escape, a permanent relocation, or a future investment, the right coastal home can offer joy for years to come.

For more property guides and apartments, click here.

Header image of Enclave by GRAYA.