Beach Hunters

Carmit and her best friend are combing the beaches of southern Connecticut for a house that measures up to her standards. While she's hoping to find a home that offers hassle-free beach access and a cozy entertainment space, she's quickly learning that having specific needs often results in a difficult search.

First-time parents are looking for a beach home in Port Richey, Florida. They agree on a private neighborhood and stunning water views, but she wants a home that's move-in ready, and he's most concerned about a long commute to work.

Busy parents with two young daughters are moving from California to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, for their own slice of beach paradise. He wants a home that's move-in ready and private, but her priority is finding a place that lets the family embrace beach life.

A couple looks for a beach house where they can escape with their daughters. Hoping for the ideal mix of beachside relaxation and off-beach amusements, the couple lands in Nags Head, North Carolina, looking for the perfect place near quiet beaches and away from crowds.

A couple leaves their southern roots to fulfill his childhood dream of living on the water. With its stunning beaches and view of New York City, the northern Jersey Shore seems to be the best possible option. They're hoping to find an updated house with superb waterfront access that's perfect for summer get-togethers but an unexpected option leaves them deciding between new features and old charm.

Busy professionals from California hunt for a beach house in his hometown in Massachusetts; he wants outdoor living while she's intent on a place big enough for her parents; both agree the house needs to be renovation-free.

An Atlanta couple heads to Belize for a laid-back lifestyle in paradise. Both agree the house needs easy beach access and plenty of room for their family to visit, but finding the perfect place in a limited market proves to be a challenge.

Wanting to show their children all the coast has to offer, Ernie and Amy search for their dream home in Florence, Oregon. Along with their four children, they search for the perfect seaside spot -- a place where they can wake each day to the sights and sounds of the ocean breeze.

A couple looks for a bigger vacation home they can share with their family in Long Beach Township, New Jersey. They love the town for its quiet neighborhoods and can't wait to experience all the island has to offer. She wants a house with gorgeous water views while he wants somewhere to fish near his new beach house.

A couple with four young children wants a historic waterfront home in Rhode Island that their family can grow into. Finding a place with charm and character won't be difficult but their challenge lies in finding the perfect backyard with plenty of space and easy water access.

A couple is coming back home to the New York area with their three teenage boys after spending a few years in Arizona. The family has settled on the Merrick area of Long Island and they're excited to spend more time together with a new home on the water. While everyone agrees the boys should have plenty of room to hang out, her focus is having ample living space for entertaining while he's looking for an accommodating home office.

An outdoorsy couple are searching for a beach home on Whidbey Island in Washington. They want to find a house that will do well in the rental market, but will also serve as a vacation home for their growing family. The property must have easy beach access, a safe backyard for their young kids and unobstructed views of the water and mountains.

Rob and Elise never imagined they'd be searching for a beach house together on Washington's Whidbey Island when they first met, but their love of island life and unique situation made it a perfect match. He prefers no distinction between beach and backyard while she pushes for a contemporary retreat as this couple searches for the beach house of their dreams.

Carol and David are living in Grosse Pointe, MI and are on the hunt for a vacation house on the western shores of Lake Huron where they can focus on being a family with their three active kids. They both grew up in the harbor village of Lexington, MI and are hoping to find a beach retreat right on the shoreline that's not too far from family. With help from David's brother, they may just find what they are looking for.