Soundside: Houses for Sale in Emerald Isle, NC

WHERE TO LIVE IN EMERALD ISLE?

PART THREE

Like all Outer Bank Islands, Bogue Banks has one main thoroughfare, locally known as Emerald Drive, and officially called U.S. Highway 58, that carries the majority of traffic up and down the Bogue Banks from Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle. Emerald Drive divides the town into oceanside and soundside. In choosing a location for your beach home, you should begin by asking yourself: how you want to use your second home. What factors are most important? For example, how important is a water view? How important is beach access versus access to stores and restaurants? Anglers may want to be closer to the deep water marinas in Emerald Isle. Windsurfers and paddle boarders may want to be closer to Bogue Sound. The best home for rental income that is located oceanfront may not be the best home for a year ‘round residence. I urge all my clients to take some time to write down those factors that are most important as well as those that definitely unimportant and to share this information with me, your real estate coach. This will save both of us a tremendous amount of time in your property search. As me how I know.

Buying a vacation rental property or second home is not unlike purchasing a car or a boat — different models have different features and different price points. I’m in the real estate business so instead of models I will focus on location. In previous blogs, I discussed living oceanfront and oceanside. Today's blog is all about living soundside in Emerald Isle, NC.

Soundside is where most locals in Emerald Isle live especially since the soundside tends to be quieter during the summer months. People who make a permanent move here on the soundside get to enjoy the numerous cedar and live oak trees that typically provide protection from the glaring hot summer sun and the chilly winter winds. Soundside residents also have neighbors which makes living at the beach feel a little more like the town they previously called "home." Children and grandchildren can go outside and play or ride their bikes on Sound Drive and not worry about traffic, let alone crime which is non-existent.

Homes on the soundside tend to be located atop of dunes. This increases the possibility of having views of both the ocean and the sound from a home. To increase the likelihood of water views, I recommend purchasing a home toward the eastern half of town or find a soundside home with at least a third story, if not a fourth level.

Buyers thinking about purchasing a second home that they do not want to put into a vacation rental program often consider homes in this soundside area. Prices are more affordable, and neighbors in these areas look out for each other.To be sure, getting to the beaches takes a bit more time but most soundside residents drive their golf carts across Emerald Drive and park in designated golf cart lots on Ocean Drive where they can to get to the beaches, only a few minutes away. Golf carts are key as there is NO parking for automobiles on Ocean Drive.

All this said, the soundside area is perfect for many people buying their vacation or retirement home. Everything from doors to heat pumps will last a little longer in this soundside area because the elements do not beat on these houses quite as much. It gives them the feel of the beach without all the cost and the homes on the soundside are designed for permanent residents and not vacationers.

And, when you want more information on Emerald Isle soundside opportunities, whether a home or land to buy or sell, visit my website, www.EIHomesforSale.com for my free Guide to Living in Emerald Isle or text your email address to: 919-308-2292.