Best Beach Houses near a GA Airport in North Carolina

Alex Batista

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So my girlfriend and I have a dream which we’d like to accomplish in the next 5 years (but doesn’t hurt to start researching). We want to buy a Beach House we can fly to in less than 90 minutes. By then we’ll own an airplane that can do about 130 kts. The stipulations are that the house HAS to be ON the beach (like we can walk outside and go to the water without anything between us. We don’t care about the size but it has to be a single family, have a shower, and a kitchen. Now I know this site is full of pilots (not real state agents) but I want to know which beaches in NC has homes on the beach with an airport with no more than a 15 minute Uber ride.

Any suggestions?
 
Does it have to be a house or can it be a condo? I suppose that is a redundant question as I wouldn't have much of a suggestion either way other than I LOVE Ocracoke Island.
 
So my girlfriend and I have a dream which we’d like to accomplish in the next 5 years (but doesn’t hurt to start researching). We want to buy a Beach House we can fly to in less than 90 minutes. By then we’ll own an airplane that can do about 130 kts. The stipulations are that the house HAS to be ON the beach (like we can walk outside and go to the water without anything between us. We don’t care about the size but it has to be a single family, have a shower, and a kitchen. Now I know this site is full of pilots (not real state agents) but I want to know which beaches in NC has homes on the beach with an airport with no more than a 15 minute Uber ride.

Any suggestions?

Be my neighbor...

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/53254-Robin-Ln-Frisco-NC-27936/228635488_zpid/
 
Multiple choices for airports. There are no bad beaches in NC, but maybe one is better based on what you're looking for or a price range?

60J, KSUT, KHSE and maybe KMQI

Associated beaches are Ocean Isle, Oak Island, Hatteras and Manteo/Kitty Hawk. The first two are more rural beach areas. Hatteras is remote and touristy. Kitty Hawk is touristy and commercial.

In general, I _think_ the prices are higher to the north.
 
I LOVE Ocracoke Island.

I’ve heard about it! I’m originally from FL and moved to NC in 2015 so I’m still becoming familiar.

Be my neighbor...

I looked at this area but it seems a bit expensive and hard to find something on the water. But I’ll keep researching! Would love to have a pilot neighbor; grilling conversations would be so much more fun!

maybe one is better based on what you're looking for or a price range?

Well yes, price is definitely a factor. There’s the utopian beach homes in the $100’s but realistically we are thinking about a $200’s budget. Seems like Caswell Beach/Oak Island is suitable but we had a bad experience with what I can only describe as a mini-sandstorm. This was the absolute worst beach day we’ve ever had and now she’s turned off by it. I wonder if it’s always that bad there...

The first two are more rural beach areas.

Rural would be perfect! We’re not looking so much at local amenities. Just at a place to escape to a few times a month.
 
Frisco is a great spot.

I’m gonna have to take a trip there and check it out!!

Would you plan on renting it out when you're not using it?

Funny you ask; so my gf and I were talking about it this morning and I asked her if she’s be ok if we AirBnB it from time to time. At first she said she’d prefer not to, but it is not outside of all possibilities. Specially if it’s an area where we can get a few good rentals and help pay the mortgage (ok, I’ll be honest, when I said ‘mortgage’ I meant ‘100LL’) :D

I just don’t know anyone who rents thru AirBnB and don’t know pros/cons and if it’s even profitable. :confused:
 
Yikes.

In N.C., 150k gets you the beachfront lot in the cheap district. You still have to build the house.

On the other hand, a new well built beachfront house will rent for enough to probably make it worthwhile. You just have to block out your vacation time with the rental management.
 
Yikes.

In N.C., 150k gets you the beachfront lot in the cheap district. You still have to build the house.

On the other hand, a new well built beachfront house will rent for enough to probably make it worthwhile. You just have to block out your vacation time with the rental management.

Not even. Hatteras is among the cheaper locations along the outer banks, but beachfront lots are still 300k+ (which is significantly down from the pre 2008 market run). 150-200k will get you a a smaller, older beach box that’s going to be walking distance to the beach, but many, several lots back. If you find something that’s in that price range and ocean front, chances are it’s VERY oceanfront and likely not insurable.

Most of the houses on the ocean side of the main highway are in rental programs of some sort. There’s a sweet spot for renting, and you typically either do it or you don’t. In-season weeks book up months in advance so you are reserving time for yourself. We only rent from Memorial Day to Labor Day and use it ourselves during the off-season. Most houses are rented through realty companies, but be do it mostly through VRBO. We avoid AirBnB for reasons too complex to discuss here.
 
Yikes.

In N.C., 150k gets you the beachfront lot in the cheap district. You still have to build the house.

On the other hand, a new well built beachfront house will rent for enough to probably make it worthwhile. You just have to block out your vacation time with the rental management.

$150k is a corroded 1960s trailer on a postage stamp for sure. You're spot on with 60J and KSUT though with respect to convenience. I've flown into both airports and have been pleased each time. The Brunswick beaches are typically lower $ than others in NC and those airports are very close to the beaches they serve. From Harnett Co, the southern beaches are a 1h flight in a 172.
 
Multiple choices for airports. There are no bad beaches in NC, but maybe one is better based on what you're looking for or a price range?

60J, KSUT, KHSE and maybe KMQI

Associated beaches are Ocean Isle, Oak Island, Hatteras and Manteo/Kitty Hawk. The first two are more rural beach areas. Hatteras is remote and touristy. Kitty Hawk is touristy and commercial.

In general, I _think_ the prices are higher to the north.
Hatteras is remote—where we are in Frisco is about 30sm from mainland. 90% of the land on Hatteras Island is owned by the NPS. It’s popular with vacationers, but hardly touristy..not a single Pirate Mini Golf on the island (and only one fudge shop)! It’s popular enough that there are more than a few decent restaurants.
 
I just had a similar conversation with a co-worker who is thinking of becoming a pilot. Why tie yourself down to the same place trip after trip, if you are going to have a plane, there are dozens if not hundreds of places you can fly to an rent a place on the beach. Do that for 5 years and then decide where you want to purchase. :)
 
Funny you ask; so my gf and I were talking about it this morning and I asked her if she’s be ok if we AirBnB it from time to time. At first she said she’d prefer not to, but it is not outside of all possibilities. Specially if it’s an area where we can get a few good rentals and help pay the mortgage (ok, I’ll be honest, when I said ‘mortgage’ I meant ‘100LL’) :D

I just don’t know anyone who rents thru AirBnB and don’t know pros/cons and if it’s even profitable. :confused:

Profitable...as compared to other investments? No, you’d be better putting your money in a mutual fund. That said, with the right property, you will cover your expenses and make a little extra, depending on the property and the rentability. Our place is in the sweet spot; we have a positive ROI and still get plenty of personal use from it (usually doing work on it while we’re there, mind you). The bigger properties have the biggest ROI; the smallest ones just don’t draw the rental income or fill the calendar enough to make much. A house in the $200k range is going to do about $15k in revenue if aggressively marketed. There are a lot of pluses and minuses to renting on the OBX...some good, some bad...I could write a book.
 
I just had a similar conversation with a co-worker who is thinking of becoming a pilot. Why tie yourself down to the same place trip after trip, if you are going to have a plane, there are dozens if not hundreds of places you can fly to an rent a place on the beach. Do that for 5 years and then decide where you want to purchase. :)
That’s true, although it is nice having a place that’s yours. We actually use the summer rental season as an opportunity to visit other places along the coast.
 
Profitable...as compared to other investments? No, you’d be better putting your money in a mutual fund. That said, with the right property, you will cover your expenses and make a little extra, depending on the property and the rentability. Our place is in the sweet spot; we have a positive ROI and still get plenty of personal use from it (usually doing work on it while we’re there, mind you). The bigger properties have the biggest ROI; the smallest ones just don’t draw the rental income or fill the calendar enough to make much. A house in the $200k range is going to do about $15k in revenue if aggressively marketed. There are a lot of pluses and minuses to renting on the OBX...some good, some bad...I could write a book.

PoA discount? :)
 
but be do it mostly through VRBO. We avoid AirBnB for reasons too complex to discuss here.

Yeah? I may wanna pick your brain a bit, offline.

You're spot on with 60J and KSUT though with respect to convenience.

KSUT was the first one I looked into. What do you consider “convenient” about them?

From Harnett Co, the southern beaches are a 1h flight in a 172.

That’s perfect. I am now flying a Warrior 161, and eventually an Arrow, so that sounds excellent!

Do that for 5 years and then decide where you want to purchase.

Absolutely! That’s exactly what I want to do. It would be fun to do a few of those trips!

I do give POA discounts to folks who book directly with me, particularly for off-season stays.

So I’m gonna need your contact info :D
 
I do give POA discounts to folks who book directly with me, particularly for off-season stays.
That’s good to know. We really like the Frisco beach and have rented a numer of properties along Robin Lane. The issue with the area is transportation once there. Unlike Ocracoke (where you really don’t need a car and can rent a golf cart), the Frisco area requires a car to get to the store/restaurant/shops. BTW, is the Quarterdeck still open?
 
And a slight overrun on landing will put you at your front door!
You'd have to taxi across the old golf course and around a house or two, but yes. It's a short walk. There are quite a few pilots who own houses in this area for that reason.
 
If I was going to own something at the beach it would definitely be a condo. You can get beach front for much less and less maintenance to worry about. Yes it isn't as private or quite as your own place but if I am at the beach I want to be out and about not sitting inside.

Another option if money is really tight is to buy a camper that is set up at the beach. They can feel a little like a trailer park but it's the most affordable way to have a vacation home. If you get tired or cannot make the rental payment you can just tow it home. Campers in good shape also sell fast so less chance being stuck with it for an extended period.
 
do it mostly through VRBO. We avoid AirBnB for reasons too complex to discuss here.
Thanks for mentioning Vrbo. Not for this year but we usually try to get away for a few days. Browsed a bit and seems to have a decent selection.
 
Hatteras is remote—where we are in Frisco is about 30sm from mainland. 90% of the land on Hatteras Island is owned by the NPS. It’s popular with vacationers, but hardly touristy..not a single Pirate Mini Golf on the island (and only one fudge shop)! It’s popular enough that there are more than a few decent restaurants.
What...no fudge? What kinda place is that? o_O
 
From the other side....

I spent a summer working on the outer banks. Fondest memory was seeing the outer banks in my rear view mirror.

But I digress, I enjoy going to places other people can't get to.
 
There's always N51 in Holly Ridge. It's a short drive to Topsail Island, a shorter drive to the Sound. If you don't mind grass runways, no services on field (but KACZ is close) and a rural setting for the beach.
 
Oak Island had at least one lot at 135, up to about 200+. But I'd still prefer Hatteras or Ocracoke.

Agree with you on that. We've explored the barrier islands from Virginia Beach to Emerald Isle and the Hatteras/Frisco/Ocracoke area is the best. But then again, we are going for the beach, not the amenities.
 
I grew up living at the NC beach every summer - Bogue Banks mostly. The amenities are things like having a boat to go fishing on, clamming outside your back door and getting 10 lbs of shrimp for the community cookout on the 4th at the cost of an hour or two of seining in the sound.
 
Just to give a pirep for Brads place:

I just finished a week at 'Crosswind Landing'. Two families, 4 kids, 1 grandma. You can find the place on VRBO (property # 1064722) and it is as nice as the ad represents it. The place is a one minute walk from a truly spectacular beach. You can go to the beach several times a day or just take your homer bucket and fishing rod for an hour of 'drowning shrimp'. The place is fully equipped, even has a beach cart to haul your stuff over the dunes. Outside shower, fish cleaning table and a nice pool with a tiki-bar. Just bring 2 pairs of shorts, 2 t-shirts and swimming trunks, that's really all it takes. Now Frisco is not your boardwalk type ra-ra beach town. It's very much a family place and located in a stretch of the outer banks that lets say 'focusses on the beach and the outdoor lifestyle'. A few miles further down in Hatteras, there are multiple charter boat operations if you are into the off-shore fishing thing. I had to explain to my niece that the next starbucks is 60 miles up the road ;-) . Did I mention there is a beach ? If you are looking for a bar-crawl along the boardwalk, loud music or public intoxication, this is not the place for you. If you want to take your kids to the beach for a campfire at night, it is. I thought the island would be packed during the 4th of July week, but neither the traffic nor the lines at the grocery store were a problem.

The original idea was for me to fly down with the kids and to meet the 'terrestial' party down there. For a number of logistical reasons, that didn't work out and I had to drive my truck. I'll try to fly next time. You do need ground transportation if you fly in as everything is kind of spread out. The management company rents 4x4 trucks (to drive onto the beach), I didn't inquire about the cost and whether they would be able to deliver one to the house or the airport.

As for flying in. Billy Mitchell airport (KHSE) is a national park service facility operated by NC DOT. The park service has some ideas on how the place is to be run, and you probably want to stick to those rules if you want to be invited back. Consider bringing your own tiedown ropes as the ones provided look a bit sunburnt. There is a parking restriction for aircraft, from what I could find it is 'no more than 14 days per month'. This week, there was plenty of parking, all I could see was a Caravan that comes and goes and a few singles.

If you want to rent the place, contact Brad directly (rather than booking through VRBO).
 
Profitable...as compared to other investments? No, you’d be better putting your money in a mutual fund. That said, with the right property, you will cover your expenses and make a little extra, depending on the property and the rentability. Our place is in the sweet spot; we have a positive ROI and still get plenty of personal use from it (usually doing work on it while we’re there, mind you). The bigger properties have the biggest ROI; the smallest ones just don’t draw the rental income or fill the calendar enough to make much. A house in the $200k range is going to do about $15k in revenue if aggressively marketed. There are a lot of pluses and minuses to renting on the OBX...some good, some bad...I could write a book.

Hmmm. Interesting. I was looking into the economics of it a bit when we were out there last year and it looked more attractive than that, I thought. The place we were in was a pretty good size, with three master suites plus two additional bedrooms and two additional bathrooms, two of the suites had their own decks, and there was a nice big living room/kitchen area on the top floor with another deck. It also had a very nice private patio area with outdoor pool and hot tub. When split three ways between the three families, the price was really quite reasonable - About $150/night/family IIRC.

When I looked it up on Zillow, it had been purchased in the $400K range relatively recently, and at the rate they were charging the revenue that was brought in during the active season (12 weeks) would cover the mortgage twice over. How much of a cut does AirBnB/VRBO take, and how much do the services that take care of maintenance, linens, etc take? How much are property taxes in that area, and insurance in the hurricane zone?
 
I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to manipulate funds for a simple upgrade. Y'all talking about houses on the beach.

Makes me realize that My younger years life choices sucked!

Maybe I can rent a week from someone for a family vacation.......

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
 
Hmmm. Interesting. I was looking into the economics of it a bit when we were out there last year and it looked more attractive than that, I thought. The place we were in was a pretty good size, with three master suites plus two additional bedrooms and two additional bathrooms, two of the suites had their own decks, and there was a nice big living room/kitchen area on the top floor with another deck. It also had a very nice private patio area with outdoor pool and hot tub. When split three ways between the three families, the price was really quite reasonable - About $150/night/family IIRC.

When I looked it up on Zillow, it had been purchased in the $400K range relatively recently, and at the rate they were charging the revenue that was brought in during the active season (12 weeks) would cover the mortgage twice over. How much of a cut does AirBnB/VRBO take, and how much do the services that take care of maintenance, linens, etc take? How much are property taxes in that area, and insurance in the hurricane zone?

A few high level comments as someone who owns property on the island.

Generally a home rented as its primary function should return around 10% of the value or purchase price in rental revenue / year or you paid too much or it wasn’t rented as much as it could (this can fluctuate a bit based on ocean side vs sound, water front vs not).

Local property manager companies are greedy. They don’t want your house for just a few peak weeks of rental; they want it all the time to fit into their network so choose carefully or go VRBO, etc with a trusted local to handle check in, inspection, cleaning, etc. furthermore the property management companies value and consider the renter as the “customer” and on at least one occasion side accordingly when things go sideways.

Bed bugs. I don’t know if any insurance policy that covers bed bugs but my friend’s place got infested from a renter and the result was all mattresses and upholstered furniture in the landfill as well as a week of fumigation...that year he didn’t make much profit from renting not to mention the fact that it never quite feels like sleeping in “your” home after something like that.

Insurance and taxes are reasonable (taxes are lower than the mainland for me). Flood insurance isn’t an issue if you buy or build high enough (my premium is under $200/yr).

If you find a lot that you like it will cost about the same to build and the “regular maintenance” clock will be much fresher which is what we did.

My advice is if you want to do it as an investment treat it as such and whore it out. If you want it as a second home, try and develop a trusted network of friends and family, charge reasonable rates so that your overheads are covered and let them clean up after themselves, wash sheets, etc.

We have loved the time in ours and hope Mother Nature lets us enjoy it for years to come.

Feel free to PM for more details.
 
When I looked it up on Zillow, it had been purchased in the $400K range relatively recently, and at the rate they were charging the revenue that was brought in during the active season (12 weeks) would cover the mortgage twice over. How much of a cut does AirBnB/VRBO take, and how much do the services that take care of maintenance, linens, etc take? How much are property taxes in that area, and insurance in the hurricane zone?

Couple of other items many would be owners of coastal vacation properties tend to forget:
- everything is being bathed in salt spray throughout the winter season. This stuff just eats air conditioner coils, fasteners, window hardware, cedar siding, roofing materials, pool pumps etc. While you may spend a year or two without major bills, there will be other years that are just hurtful. Sure, it's all a business expense (subject to passive activity loss rules), but you need to build it into the budget.
- short term renters are hard on carpeting, furniture and paint. Comments on online services like VRBO are merciless. If you want to continue charging full rates for your property (and not be the 'party house'), you have to keep it in top condition and that means remodeling and replacing furniture every couple of years.
- unless you live local, you are paying retail+ for emergency repairs. I came home last night and the pool pump had pulled in air. 15min repair with a gasket off the shelf. In a vacation property, that is a callout for the pool guy. Chances are, he is going to sell you a new pool pump + the callout for his high-school buddy the electrician who has to screw two wires into a terminal ;-0 .
- insurance cost. These are 4 story buildings. A drunk guest who tumbles down a flight of stairs into the pool is your problem. So your insurance is not just a plain vanilla homeowners policy, it needs to cover guest liability. Even then, lawsuits are not unheard of, and even if the insurance pays for all the lawyers and the eventual settlement, you are out time for depositions and you are the recipient of the plaintiff lawyers general purpose harassment.
- compliance cost. There at times lodging taxes on short term rentals and various 'impact fees' and 'resort fees' that account for the use of government services by vacationers (n/a for Dare Co afaik).
- named storms often bump up your property insurance deductible into a percentage of insured value. You need to build a reserve for rebuilding the pool after a storm surge or redoing all your landscaping and patching the siding even if the sructure of your beach house is preserved.

If someone owns a property only for a short holding time (<5 years), they may never see any of these items crop up. If you look at it on a 20 year payoff timeframe, some if not all of these items are going to show up on your spreadsheet.

Remember, if beachfront homes were wildly profitable, Goldman Sachs would own all of them by now ;-)

Even if it is not wildly profitable, the key benefit is that you build equity in the property. 4 out of my 8 neighbors in MD own (or owned) vacation homes in the outer banks. All but one have stopped renting out in favor of using them as a second home now that they are retired.

I just hate being a landlord enough that I have never taken the plunge on any kind of vacation rental property. I do see myself owning a little shack on the inside of Hatteras Island in Buxton or on Ocracoke to just keep for family use one of these days. One of my coworkers in ND still has their families 'beach shack' on one of the VA islands. But that's what it is, a double-wide on a town lot in Chincoteague. That's a very different concept, a personal luxury rather than a rental property which is simply a small business.
 
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