Achieving Dreams: How We Bought a Beach House at 30
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Setting Ambitious Goals
My husband and I have always been avid goal-setters, thanks to our backgrounds in sales. One day, while driving back to Baltimore from the Jersey Shore, I suggested, “Why don’t we set a goal to buy a beach house?” Knowing my husband’s fondness for the shore, I anticipated his enthusiasm.
“Sounds good,” he replied. “Let’s aim for five years.”
“Five years feels too distant,” I countered. “Let’s challenge ourselves with a two-year timeline instead.” I then enlarged a photo of us from a trip to Cape May, New Jersey, and placed it prominently on our refrigerator, a daily reminder of our goal.
To kickstart our savings, I took a part-time job. A few weeks later, we returned to the Jersey Shore, renting a group house in Avalon with friends from my husband’s high school. One day, while lounging on the beach with one of my closest friends, I shared my plan.
“We’re not going to join in on the group rental next summer,” I said.
“What do you mean?” she asked, surprised.
“Two summers of sharing a rental could cover a deposit on our own house, and I want to save that money instead,” I explained.
“But you’ll miss spending time with us,” she insisted.
“I know, but the goal is to have our own beach house,” I replied.
Our aspiration felt ambitious, especially considering we were just 28 and 30 years old. Few people our age owned beach homes, yet the optimist in me believed it was attainable.
The skepticism continued back home. “You live in a townhouse,” some friends pointed out. “Shouldn’t you aim for a single-family home instead?”
“I love our townhouse and our neighbors,” I defended. “We have time to think about a single-family home, but this beach house is a unique opportunity.”
My logic was straightforward. Society often sets specific expectations for us; our parents owned homes and cars, so we naturally aspire to do the same. Why shouldn’t we extend that ambition to other dreams?
With our goal firmly in mind, we made occasional trips to the Jersey Shore. The day we achieved our dream was a shock, not just that we succeeded, but that we did so within the ambitious two-year timeframe.
Securing Our Beach House
While our budget was limited, determination drove us forward. We placed a bid on a condo in Stone Harbor but lost out. Next, we put an offer on a less-than-perfect house in Sea Isle City, only six houses from the beach.
“You can’t offer that low,” my father-in-law cautioned.
“Yes, I can,” I replied firmly. “We can’t afford to go higher, and we don’t absolutely need a beach house. If we get it, great!”
We had saved enough for the deposit and several months of mortgage payments. Though we anticipated rental income, we knew it wouldn't come in immediately.
To our surprise, our offer was accepted. The realtor noted that the house didn’t show well, which was likely to our advantage. “Most buyers couldn’t overlook the cosmetic flaws,” he explained.
“I understand,” I said, knowing that the house just needed some TLC.
This was long before home renovation shows became popular, but soon enough, I was sitting on the beach with my friend.
“I can’t believe you did it!” she exclaimed.
“I know, right? We actually achieved it within two years,” I replied in disbelief.
“I want to do this too,” she said.
“Absolutely, you can,” I encouraged her.
“I’m not sure we can afford it,” she admitted. “Will you help me figure it out?”
“Of course!” I assured her.
A few years later, she realized her own dream of owning a beach house, albeit through a different route. I knew it was possible; it all came down to determining how to achieve that goal.
The Journey to Realization
It’s about setting high expectations for yourself and genuinely believing in their possibility. Document your goals, attach visuals that keep them front of mind, and establish a deadline. By outlining the necessary steps, your dreams transform from vague wishes into concrete objectives.
At the end of the day, we were young and earning decent incomes, but what mattered most was the shared joy with my best friend on that beach, reflecting on our journey. We simply made different choices and had a burning desire to achieve our dreams.
The first video showcases a stunning beach house tour, highlighting design choices and features that can inspire anyone looking to invest in coastal properties.
The second video takes viewers inside the iconic MTV Jersey Shore house, offering a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture surrounding beach house living.