Beachfront Dreams vs. Reality: 5 Things Buyers Should Know Before Falling in Love with a View

There’s something magical about standing on a balcony, hearing the sea crash below, and imagining your mornings starting with coffee and a breeze that smells like salt and pine. I get it. I really do.  

In fact, most clients I meet—especially foreigners—start with the same dream:  

“We want to wake up with the sea in front of us.”  

And look, I’m not here to ruin that dream. I love the sea. I live a 10-minute walk from it. I’ve sold countless beachfront properties over the years. Some of the most beautiful homes I’ve ever stepped into were practically touching the sand.  

But I’ve also seen the other side. The things brochures don’t say. The parts that only locals really know, because we live it every day.  

So let’s talk about it.  

Here are 5 things I believe every buyer should know before falling in love with a sea view —straight from someone who’s walked these beaches since childhood, and helped dozens turn their seaside dream into a smart, happy reality.  

1. Yes, the View Is Worth It—But Only If It Stays  

Here’s the thing no one tells you: not every “sea view” is protected.  

I had a client once who bought a beautiful apartment in lower Saranda. The view was perfect… until a year later, a hotel started rising right in front of it. The sea disappeared behind scaffolding and glass. It was heartbreaking.  

That’s why I always tell my clients—ask about urban planning and future developments around the property. Is the land in front privately owned? Is it marked as green zone? What’s the building height limit?  

For example, our White Residence project was selected specifically for its unblocked orientation. You’re not just buying a view today, you’re buying its future too.  

2. Salt Air Is Romantic… and Brutal on Materials  

Look, we all love that fresh, salty breeze. It feels like vacation even when you live here. But it’s also harsh—on windows, furniture, AC units, even your car if it’s parked outside year-round.  

Beachfront living means regular maintenance .  

Seaview apartments get hit with more humidity. Iron railings rust faster. Paint peels. Even wooden furniture suffers.  

It’s nothing dramatic, but it’s real. If you plan to live here full-time or use it as an Airbnb, budget for upkeep. Or better yet, buy in a building with a good administrator who takes care of shared spaces.  

Some properties, like those in Residenca 12 , are built with this in mind: higher-grade exterior materials, double-sealed windows, and smart layout orientation.  

3. The Beachfront Isn’t Always Quiet (Especially in Summer)  

Here’s a fun fact: Albanians love the beach. And so do tourists. And their kids. And the guy with the speaker playing turbo-folk music at 3pm.  

Beachfront apartments, especially in Ksamil or central Saranda, are busy in July and August. You’ll hear kids laughing, music playing, and chairs dragging across terraces. It’s summer in the Balkans it’s beautiful, but it’s lively.  

So if you’re someone who wants peace and silence every afternoon, choose your location carefully . Go a little uphill. Look for corners away from public beach access.  

I once took a client to a property in Rruga Skënderbeu it had a partial sea view but total calm. She looked at me and said, “This is the view I didn’t even know I wanted.”  
 

4. Being Steps from the Beach Comes at a Premium (But Not Always Forever)

Let’s be real: prices near the beach are higher. And that makes sense—land is limited, and demand keeps rising. But I’ve also seen people overpay for “beachfront” just because of the word, even when the property lacked parking, storage, or privacy.

The secret? Buy early, and buy smart.

Some of the best beachfront or near-beach deals are in pre-construction. Like our current luxury sea-view villas—they’re 150 meters from the beach, panoramic view, and still far more affordable than what they’ll be worth in two years.

Another tip: don’t get obsessed with “first line.” Sometimes the second or third row has a better view because it’s higher—and cheaper, too.

5. Living by the Sea Is a Lifestyle—Make Sure It Matches Yours

Here’s something I don’t hear enough people say: just because it’s beachfront doesn’t mean it fits your daily life.

Do you plan to rent it seasonally? You’ll need good access, amenities nearby, and modern interiors.

Do you want to live year-round? You’ll want nearby markets, schools, stable internet, and less noise.

Do you plan to retire there? Look at the stairs, the road incline, winter sun exposure. It matters.

I always ask my clients to imagine February, not just July.

What does the sea view mean when the wind is strong and the beach is empty? Some love it. Some don’t.

One Last Thought (And a Coffee Story)

Last month, I sat at a café just above the Port of Saranda with a German couple. They were in love with a sea-facing apartment they’d seen the day before.

But instead of rushing, they wanted to chat. To hear the seagulls, smell the air, listen to the locals around us.

After 30 minutes, they looked at me and said, “This is the place. We’re ready.”

That’s what I love about this job.

It’s not just selling Saranda apartments for sale or closing deals on seaview villas. It’s helping people slow down. Feel the place. Connect with the rhythm of the coast.

Final Word: Know the Dream, But Know the Details Too

Beachfront living on the Albanian Riviera is absolutely possible. It’s beautiful, emotional, and—yes—worth the hype.

But it’s even better when you go in informed.

Ask questions. Walk the neighborhood. Picture all seasons. Choose wisely, not impulsively.

And if you ever want someone to walk you through it—not just the apartment, but the feeling of the place—well… I’m here.

Probably with a raki in my pocket and a few great listings in my notebook.