How $3 million gets you home on O.C. sand

November 5th, 2009, 12:31 am · 18 Comments · posted by Jeff Collins

With asking prices for ocean-front housing going as high as $40 million, it’s refreshing to see that there’s still some beachfront homes left in Orange County with price tags around $3 million or less.

One of the newest listings of that type is the Seal Beach home at 1601 Seal Way, which went up for sale last month at a relatively humble at $2,995,000 to $3,150,000. (Why that’s just seven times the median home price, instead of 93!)

Even north of Seal Beach pier, you’d be hard-pressed to find any beachfront homes for $5 million or less.

And the “cheapest” homes on the sand in San Clemente, Dana Point and Laguna Beach? According to Register blogger Kelli Hart: Just two are below $3 million, one for $2.75 million, another for $2.9 million. The average price tag for the “cheapest” 13 listings in those three cities is $4.6 million.

But the south side of Seal Beach pier — a strip of flood-prone properties consisting mainly of duplexes and beach rentals — is less ostentatious. Prices there tend to be closer to $2 million, but you sacrifice privacy as strollers, skaters and bicyclists parade by on a summer day.

The single-family residence at 1601 Seal Way, however, is a bit more private. A stucco wall separates the patio from the boardwalk. And a rooftop deck allows sunbathing high above the hubbub (click on photo above to enlarge roof-top view). A bank of glass along one wall of the second-floor family room and adjoining master bedroom provide a spectacular view of the blue Pacific and Anaheim Bay beyond the vast beach. (Click on photos above for larger images!)

Listing agents describe the property this way:

“This custom two-story boasts an open design, breathtaking views and quiet location on the sand. Walls of windows and glass make this home light and bright. Formal entry leads to living room with fireplace, faux finishes and designer touches. … You will enjoy entertaining on the partially covered outdoor patio and the formal dining room with beach views. A large eat-in-kitchen is off the dining room. An office/bedroom with bath is conveniently located downstairs.”

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Jc says:

November 5, 2009 at 8 am

Yeap I agreed. But for me is hard to believe that people pay so much to build a home in contaminated beaches, and ocean.

I guess everybody has a romance with the view, That a night is dark in summer, Fog in winter.

What a scam

Post Reply

VoiceofReason says:

November 5, 2009 at 10 am

Ahhhh, Jc, Seal Beach scored an A on tests for contamination this summer, along with pretty much the entire OC coast.

http://greenoc.freedomblogging.com/2009/05/20/report-oc-beaches-at-their-cleanest-in-six-years/7597/

But, don’t let that get in your way. We get it……..you don’t think it’s worth it (and be “not worth it”, you mean that you wish you could live there, but never will since you probably don’t even live in CA). lol.
Oh, and by the way, I was off the Newport coast last weekend (this is winter, isn’t it), and I could clearly see dolphins 5-10 feet under the surface, and Catalina 30 miles away.
But again, don’t let the facts get in your way. We get it. You aren’t going to buy a beach house. hahahahahahahaha

Post Reply
- Jc says:
  
  November 5, 2009 at 11 am
  
  Thanks VOR you make me laugh.
  
  I did live by the coast LB, and 36 years in Ca-OC
  
  perhaps longer than you.
  
  Post Reply
  - Ryan says:
    
    November 5, 2009 at 12 pm
    
    Well than thanks for solidifying your BS. Why in the world would you even post negative comments like that? Not cool dude.
  - Jc says:
    
    November 5, 2009 at 3 pm
    
    Is not bs is simple the truth. The whole coastal area is a rat-hole. Now by living for so many years it give any body the rights to bash.
    
    Now of coarse lets not forget that the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Scott says:

November 5, 2009 at 9 am

Have you seen how many Oceanfront homes are for sale on the Newport peninsula? Tons. In 2006, it was not uncommon to see only one or two available.

Now, a few are even listed at substantial discounts to the previous sale price. Oceanfront prices are going to come down much further - bank on it.

November 5, 2009 at 10 am

I know, and you’re right.

For instance Laguna Beach. Is a place where mostly any “Rat-hole” is up for sale in grotesques prices just because of the “Zip”

And looking at the coast from out sea. Looks like ugly rats-holes. From SC to LA.

Oh I almost forget to mention the Old Hotels from the 40’s-50″s

Mulliganville says:

November 5, 2009 at 11 am

love Laguna Beach…don’t care if I ever live there. Actually had a friend visiting this past week and took a whale watch for 3 hours…catalina clear as day…hundreds of dolphins, and a few whales as well. Great time.

Post Reply
Ryan says:

November 5, 2009 at 12 pm

You clearly have a problem with living at the beach or by the ocean. It’s beautiful here and you know it.

Post Reply
- Jc says:
  
  November 5, 2009 at 3 pm
  
  yes but still doesn’t justify those grotesque prices, and that was the topic.
  
  Now of coarse…always will be the best place If is all you know.
  
  Post Reply

Ryan says:

November 5, 2009 at 12 pm

Why does everyone forget about Surfside Colony in Orange County? There are always at least 1 or 2 beachfront homes listed in there.

IN FACT-

Two beachfront homes, one immaculate with extensive upgrades just sold for $2,300,000.00 just one month ago

The second, on the sand, over 3,000 sq ft sold for 2.4 million…3 stories, sun deck, panoramic views…

Do your Real Estate homework!!!

Harrison K. Long says:

November 5, 2009 at 1 pm

The SFR home at 1601 Seal Way, Seal Beach, on the sand, looks like an interesting buyer opportunity.

SC2 says:

November 5, 2009 at 4 pm

And yet someone is trying to offload it onto the next bagholder since it is such a great investment…

Post Reply
BOGEY says:

November 6, 2009 at 6 am

If it’s such an ‘interesting buyer opportunity’ . . .why don’t YOU go put an offer on it. Get a life!

Post Reply

ed oneil says:

November 5, 2009 at 4 pm

3 million i can have a mansion with 5 room and 3 1/2 bath. waste of money. plus near non contaminated water. pass

BOGEY says:

SOUTH of the pier in Seal is a dump. The buildings are run-down similar to Pac Beach area in Diego. Very crusty. Go see for yourself.

Plus, It’s on the boardwalk, prone to heavy tidal flooding and the city builds a huge, 20ft sand berm (along that stretch) between the ocean and the homes to keep the tide back from Nov to April. You can’t see the ocean from the ground floor even though it is 50 yards away. Unless of course you climb up on top of the berm or go upstairs Lol

Dave39 says:

November 9, 2009 at 6 pm

millions of reasons not 2 buy there……but I still love it and wish I could afford that.

Kevin Simpson says:

November 12, 2009 at 7 am

Well it’s way too much money… But for a house like this may worth the investment!

Slice	Price	Ch.	Sold	Ch.
House	$495,000	+4%	1,841	+3%
Condo	$304,000	+3%	845	+8%
New	$500,000	+4%	150	-26%
All OC	$430,000	+2%	2,836	+2%

Orange County Register