The Price 



of Paradise: 



Oceanfront 

 living 



CAN BE 



Hazardous 



For many people, these words conjure 

 up paradise: the sunrise shimmering across 

 calm water, lacy sea oats swaying in 

 greeting to seagulls and sailboats, moist 

 breezes leaving a salty taste in the air. But 

 sometimes the peaceful ocean ripples rum 

 into crashing breakers, the soft air chums 

 into gale-force winds, storms level 

 protective dunes and erosion cuts an ugly 

 swath along the beaches and beneath the 

 foundations of homes. 



The land along the coast is in a 

 constant state of change — often a very 

 hazardous one — creating unique problems 

 for residents, developers and the real estate 

 agents who market this property. 



At Topsail Island, a barrier island 

 wrecked by Hurricane Fran in 1996, the 

 Association of Realtors has kept a wry 

 sense of humor about its livelihood. Its 

 signs declare "And You Thought We Were 

 All Washed Up" — visible proof that 

 coastal residents' spirit is intact even though 

 their homes and properties were ravaged by 

 back-to-back hurricanes that year. 



Yet the constant conflict against the 

 forces of nature requires more than a 

 courageous spirit. Residents wage a battle 

 that has reached monumental proportions 



At Right: Even elevated Topsail Island 

 homes were damaged by hurricane 

 Fran's winds and storm surge. 



By Brooks Preik 



n oceanfront home. 



Continued 



14 EARLY SUMMER 1998 



