Moving to Tybee? Start here 👇

If you're thinking about relocating to Tybee Island, you're probably already familiar with what makes this little island so special. The beach, the laid-back lifestyle, the ability to bike or golf cart around town, and the small-town community are a big part of why so many people eventually decide they want to call Tybee home.

But buying a home on a barrier island is different from buying in most markets. Flood zones, insurance, elevation, short-term rental regulations, older homes, and the nuances of different areas of the island can all play a role in your decision.

Here are a few things I recommend to buyers considering a move to Tybee.

1. Connect With a Realtor Who Truly Knows Tybee

This will be one of your biggest advantages when buying on the island.

Tybee is only a few miles long, but there can be meaningful differences from one area to another. Flood zones, elevation, proximity to the beach, rental regulations, construction type, and even the feel of a particular street can all factor into your decision.

Working with a Realtor who regularly sells on Tybee gives you someone who understands those nuances and can help you look beyond the listing itself.

2. Use a Local Lender

This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I give relocating buyers.

We've seen out-of-town lenders substantially underestimate property taxes and insurance, leaving buyers with a monthly payment that is significantly higher than what they were originally quoted.

A good local lender understands the nuances of financing property in coastal Georgia and can help you get a more realistic picture of your total monthly payment before you fall in love with a house.

Think of your lender as an extra layer of protection. You want someone who understands this market and knows which questions to ask.

3. Understand Flood Insurance and Homeowners Insurance Early

Flood zones are part of living on a barrier island, but they don't tell the entire story.

The elevation of the home, construction type, flood zone, insurance history, and other property-specific factors can all affect your costs. Two Tybee homes at similar price points can have very different annual insurance expenses.

Get insurance quotes early in the process so you understand the true cost of owning the property before making a decision.

4. Spend Time in Different Parts of the Island

If you haven't spent much time on Tybee outside of vacation, explore the entire island before deciding where you want to live.

Drive around in the morning and evening. Visit during the week and on weekends. Pay attention to how close you are to restaurants, the beach, grocery stores, beach accesses, and the areas you visit most often.

A home can look perfect online, but location and lifestyle matter just as much once you're actually living here.

5. Don't Expect Every Tybee Home to Feel Brand New

Tybee has everything from newer construction to cottages that have been here for generations.

Older homes often come with quirks, but that doesn't necessarily make them a bad investment. The key is understanding the difference between normal characteristics of an older coastal home and issues that could become expensive.

A thorough inspection and trusted local contractors can help you determine what actually matters.

6. Understand Short-Term Rental Regulations

Even if you plan to live in your Tybee home full time, it's important to understand the current short-term rental regulations before purchasing.

If rental income is part of your plan, whether immediately or sometime in the future, make sure you understand what is permitted for the specific property you're considering. Regulations can affect how you use the property and potentially its future resale value.

This is another area where having an agent who actively works on Tybee is especially important.

7. Stay Open to Other Coastal Neighborhoods

If your goal is to live on Tybee, start there. But I always encourage buyers to stay open to seeing what else is available, especially if we're having trouble finding the right combination of house, price and lifestyle.

There are several waterfront and island communities between Savannah and Tybee that still offer a coastal lifestyle while keeping you within roughly 20 to 30 minutes of the beach.

Sometimes Tybee is absolutely the right fit. Other times, buyers discover that a nearby community gives them more space, different amenities, or a home that better fits their budget while still keeping them close to the island.

8. Start the Conversation Before You're Ready to Move

You don't need to be ready to make an offer before reaching out.

Some of the best relocation experiences start months before the actual move. That gives us time to talk through the different areas of Tybee, financing, insurance, flood zones, your timeline, and what your budget realistically looks like on the island.

If you're thinking about relocating to Tybee Island, I'd be happy to help you get to know the market, understand what to expect, and find the property and location that make the most sense for you.