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.”