South Boston beaches are cleaner than Miami Beach, and local realtors are excited.
Waterfront prices were already climbing. What now?
Local realtors are excited about a recent study that found South Boston beaches to be cleaner than other iconic U.S. urban beaches like Miami Beach and Waikiki Beach.
Conducted by Boston-based environmental group Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, the study found the water quality of South Boston beaches like City Point, M Street Beach, and Carson Beach outscored Coney Island Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Virginia Beach, and Honolulu Beach.
South Boston beaches weren’t always this clean: The Boston Globe reports on the huge positive impacts of the Deer Island sewage treatment plant and a 2-mile-long tunnel built in 2011 to carry sewage and stormwater away from city beaches.
“It turns out that with water quality problems like this, we understand what causes them and know how to fix them,’’ Bruce Berman, the leader of the study, told Boston.com.
Real Estate Specialist Andrea McDonough of Bushari Group Real Estate was unsurprised by the findings, but said she expects the report to boost the growing interest from buyers looking for waterfront property in the area.
“We’ve definitely seen waterfront values go up,’’ McDonough said, saying single-family beachfront home prices have gone up 40 percent in recent years. “People feel it’s safer and it’s significantly more beautiful.’’
Mike Hannon, a realtor with Realty Executives, also said he’s seen increased interest in the Southie area. “The beaches are seen in much more favorable light than 10 years ago,’’ he said. “It’s a good selling point for those in their late 20s who take advantage of the area.’’
Hannon said many of his clients are between 25 and 30, and are interested in rooftop decks and ocean views. He added that between 2013 and 2014, he’s seen condo values increase by 15 percent near Castle Island.
“There’s no question that being able to walk to a great beach that’s clean increases property value,’’ Berman said. “People like to live near the water. On one level, they even like to live near water if it’s not clean, but it’s pretty clear people are willing to pay a premium to live near a clean beach they can enjoy.’’
If you’d like to live near a beach cleaner than Waikiki, here are some South Boston listings – all for under $1 million:
City Point
$619,000
This gorgeous 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo is just a short walk from Castle Island, M Street Park, and Carson Beach. It offers a spacious kitchen with granite countertops, heated floors, black walnut hardwood floors, and a master suite with a walk-in closet.
M Street Beach
$619,000
Steps from M Street Beach and Boston’s Harbor Walk, this two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom condo features stainless steel appliances, a wine fridge, and a breakfast bar. The master bedroom offers a private rear deck with stunning Southie views. Oh, and it’s pet friendly.
Carson Beach
$799,000
This spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo is newly renovated, with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. The home also features oak hardwood floors, and a private deck off the kitchen with a spiral staircase leading to a private rooftop deck with “180-degree water views of Carson Beach and the Harbor Islands.’’
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