Homes on Galveston Island

If you’ve been waiting…and hoping for just the right home to come on the market...

on Galveston’s West End—a newer house needing no updating, loaded with charm—and sporting an affordable price tag. The ocean’s so close you can see dolphins jumping out of the water. $218,900 with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1296 sq. ft.

Have you been looking for a Galveston get-a-way for a while now, only to find homes in your price range needing fix-up to update floors, appliances and more? And worst of all, there were no views of the water? Welcome to Point of View at 4304 Palapa Circle in Sea Isle. Back in 2007, the owners chose this new house because it offered both close-up Gulf of Mexico views AND up the canal- to-the-bay vista. Whether dining indoors or out on the spacious covered front porch, they had a choice of views to enjoy during mealtime.

Driving up to 4304 Palapa Circle, the first thing that catches your eye is the wall of windows. Post-Ike, these windows were discarded by contractors and rescued and repurposed by the owners to create a windbreak for the downstairs area. The end result is a unique, functional work of art that also remembers a time when islanders pulled together in a time of need.

Getting the most enjoyment from your Galveston retreat has everything to do with the sun….or rather shade. Point of View has shade when and where you need it. You see, the home faces east allowing the morning sunlight on the front porch and space below. The hotter afternoon and setting sun in the west means shade for this part of the house that ‘s used the most. Along with the cooling Gulf sea breezes, all you need is a good book, hammock and chilled drink to while away the hot days of summer.

For entertaining family and friends, the owners thoughtfully constructed a large patio bar between the pilings. The space is a welcoming area for their frequent cookouts, crab and shrimp boils and fish fries. The yard is fenced, allowing small children and pets to play safely. There’s also an outdoor shower to rinse off after fishing or an afternoon in the sand and surf. Palm trees dot the landscape, adding tropical ambiance.

Besides the beach, fishing, crabbing and water sports, the family decided to make further use of the ground floor. Since they already had loads of comfy seating with porch swings and hammocks, they added a DVD projector and king-size bed sheet hung under the stairs, creating their own ‘Movies Under the Stars’. Their very first screening was...can you guess? Jaws! Pass the popcorn!

As you approach the home’s entry, you’re greeted by a Lone Star inlaid in the leaded-glass door. Beyond lies the owners’ salute to everything that is Texas Coastal—items lovingly collected over the years by themselves, kids and grandkids. Tall ceilings in the Gathering Room (kitchen, living and dining areas) enhance the spacious feel while windows facing the Gulf and bay add tons of light.

Granite kitchen counters and long bar add extra seating for larger groups. A generously-sized walk-in larder with jamb switch light provides ample storage. Throughout the home you’ll find easy-care tile and laminate wood flooring in neutral colors.

Rarely seen in this price range is the big-enough-for-two custom tiled shower spa in the Master Suite. Nice! Washer/dryer connections are conveniently located at the end of the hallway between the bedrooms. No schlepping the laundry up and down stairs as in some beach homes.

If you’re not familiar with Sea Isle, you are in for a treat. Sea Isle offers its residents boat ramps, swimming pool, tennis court, playground/picnic pavilion and —best of all—a long fishing pier over the bay. There’s a nice restaurant and bait store available on the bay side of the neighborhood. Beachside, there is Sea Isle Beach Park . Near Point of View, you’ll find a convenience store just a short walk or golf cart ride away—very handy when you need to make an unscheduled beverage run!

When you’re out of bait, or the fish aren’t biting, sometimes it’s nice just to grab the kayak and walk the half-block or so down to the water for a little canal kayaking. Or stroll to the beach and check out the latest works by the sand artists. The only limit to fun things to do is your own imagination.

With stunning beach and bay views, no updating necessary and resort-like community amenities, maybe it’s high time you started making some family memories of your own. And 4304 Palapa Circle could just be the starting point.

If $228,900 is within your reach, do not buy anything ‘til you see this one-of-a-kind ½-acre, bay front lot

Enjoy your private boat house & fishing pier NOW; build your vacation home later.

If you’ve been put off by vacation homes on tiny lots that offer anything BUT a retreat from stressful, congested city living, then rejoice! Welcome to 23502 Bayview Lane in The Reserve at Bay Harbor. This quiet enclave of just 5 bay front lots on Galveston’s West End is located adjacent to Bahia Azul and Bay Harbor, home of long-time family fishing camps where generations have come to enjoy the bounty and laid-back lifestyle of beach and bay relaxation

Before the downturn in the economy, this lot was priced at $350,000. The price has been cut well below market value in order to bring about a quick sale. The seller’s loss can be your gain.

About The Size

There’s a benefit to a big piece of land: It allows for the design of a WIDE house. Picture a wall of windows facing the bay assuring a water view from nearly every window. Imagine long, covered verandahs facing the cool Gulf breezes as you read or nap on your comfy porch swing, our faithful dog at your feet.

The unique feature about this sprawling ½ acre lot is you can enjoy the fishing, boating and water ports RIGHT NOW. Since there are no restrictions on when you build your vacation or retirement home, you can take your time planning and designing it. Get to know the direction of breezes, see how the sun moves with the seasons and where it sets in the evenings. Too often buyers build in haste, only to regret later ‘not putting the window or door here, or having the front door face west instead of east.’ By taking advantage of the vistas and Mother Nature, you can make your dream home score a perfect ‘10’ for how it is positioned to its maximum potential.

Remember Catching Your First Fish?

If there are young children in your immediate or extended family, a memory of a lifetime awaits them. Do you remember how excited you were when you reeled in your first catch? You can start a new family tradition recording the auspicious event. Besides bringing thebait, tot-size fishing poles, drinks and snacks, take the camera along so you can share the good times along with extra photos of your bay front ½ acre lot with your Facebook friends.

This roomy site could easily handle a family reunion! The long, palm-tree lined entry allows for ample off-street parking. Just load up the grills, pack up the babies, grab the old ladies, lawn chairs, ice chest, fishing and crabbing gear, and you’ve got the recipe for your very own family memories in the making.

Located On a Deep Water Channel

Beyond the 117-foot long concrete bulkhead, the wooden walkway on-the-bay extends some 150 feet to the boathouse. There’s a sundeck above the boat slip and large area for fishing or just dangling your feet in the waters of Galveston Bay. Most important, the boathouse is situated on a deep water channel which allows bay access year around. It’s the ideal spot to launch a paddleboard, kayak paddleboat or jet ski. Though some Ike damage remains, you can do as the neighbors have done by remodeling their boathouses with step downs and other custom enhancements for easy water-front living.

Jaw-Dropping Sunsets

The word ‘gob-smacked’ could best describe sunsets viewed from this setting. With nothing to obstruct your view, the Technicolor panorama over the water at dusk is nothing short of a spiritual experience. The colors intensify after a rainstorm, so much so that the hues are almost impossible to describe.

Picture yourself standing on the upper deck of your boathouse with your honey, a glass of wine in your hands, a breeze from the Gulf cooling the evening. You clink your glasses and celebrate the day’s end and the beauty and tranquility of Bayview Lane. Tomorrow’s another day in paradise.

The Next Step

If you can see yourself and your family on this half-acre, bay front lot, enjoying this waterfront lifestyle for generations to come, then perhaps it's time to take the next step. You cannot put a price on precious memories.

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Lot sizes source: Galveston County Appraisal District

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by MLS or Broker.