What To Know About Houseboats For Sale

| Wednesday, May 29, 2013
By Frances Keith


There are many things to consider when looking at houseboats for sale. A houseboat is half house and half boat. Or put another way, it is a house that floats on the water. Most houseboats do not have motors and are designed to be permanently tethered to the dock. Owners of houseboats that do have motors rarely take them out to sea because they are primarily designed for human dwelling instead of seafaring.

Many first time buyers are not sure what they really want so it is a good idea to look at used boats. They are less expensive than new ones but can be just as entertaining. Buying a used floating home is a great way to get into a boat without busting the bank. If properly cared for, a quality boat can last decades and be past down for generations.

A new boat might be a good option for previous boat owners. New boats can be manufactured to a custom blueprint designed specifically for the buyer or to a pre-designed blueprint meant for general sale. A custom blueprint gives the buyer a floating dwelling that is built specifically for him or her. A general sale design is just as comfortable but is less expensive than a custom ordered boat.

The cost of running a floating home is higher than most first time buyers realize. They require electricity or natural gas, plumbing and running water just like normal houses. The cost of upkeep is comparable to that of a house. People are under the impression that boats are cheaper to live in but they are cost about the same as a regular house. The only real difference is that one floats on the water while the other does not.

Financing is always an issue when buying a home. Buyers can get pre-approved for a loan if they are a decent income and good credit. Specialized marine lenders can provide houseboat loans that have the same terms and interest rates that regular home mortgages have. Home are huge purchases and most people will need a loan to buy one.

Floating homes require a special type of inspection called a marine survey. They cannot be purchased without a completed survey. This survey is a full inspection of both the interior of the boat and the hull. The hull is given a full haul-out inspection. These surveys are used to establish the value of the boat for both financing and insurance purposes. Buyers can get a list of approved marine surveyors from their lender or insurance company.

Everyone that buys a home has to pay purchasing fees. It doesn't matter if the home is in the middle of huge city or if it floats on the ocean, buyers still have to make a down payment and pay closing costs. Buyers of floating dwellings have to jump through the same hoops that traditional home buyers have to jump through.

The interest paid on a floating home mortgage can be deducted from the buyer's income tax returns. Houseboats for sale qualify for the home mortgage interest deduction that traditional home owners enjoy. The boat can be your primary residence or a second home. If you have a loan against it and the boat was used as collateral, you write off the interest payments.




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