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.
Just as with regularly houses, most first time buyers look at purchasing a used home. A quality used home is a great way to get into the market without spending a lot money. They are typically well cared for and kept in good shape. With proper upkeep, a used home can last for generations. They are less expensive than new boats but just as fun.
More experienced owners might prefer buying a new floating home. New homes can be built to order or made using a pre-designed blueprint. Built to order homes are more expensive but built to the exact specifications of the buyer. Pre-designed homes cost less but are just nice. Regardless of the type, all new homes are well worth it.
Most first time buyers do not realize what it costs to run a floating home. Even though they are floating on water, they are just like regular houses. They require utilities and sewage too. The upkeep on a floating home is typically around that of a regular home. It is a myth that floating houses are less expensive to operate than a normal home.
Houseboats are a major purchases and most buyers need to get a loan. There are marine lenders that specialize in financing for these types of homes. The terms of these loans are the same types of terms one would expect with a traditional home mortgage. Buyers adequate income and decent credit scores can also get pre-approved for a loan.
A major step in purchasing a floating dwelling is getting it inspected. A marine survey is a special type of inspection for floating homes. It consists of a full haul-out inspection of the hull and a complete inspection of the interior of the boat. The value of the boat is based on the results of this survey. Insurance companies and lenders use this survey to determine financing and insurance options available for that boat. Most marine lenders and insurance companies work with a group of authorized divers and marine surveyors. Make sure to use one from this list when getting your boat inspected.
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.
Houseboats for sale receive the same tax advantages as regular houses. Regardless if it is a second home or the primary living residence, a floating dwelling can be included on tax returns. The IRS allows owners to write of mortgage interest payments against their owed income taxes.
Just as with regularly houses, most first time buyers look at purchasing a used home. A quality used home is a great way to get into the market without spending a lot money. They are typically well cared for and kept in good shape. With proper upkeep, a used home can last for generations. They are less expensive than new boats but just as fun.
More experienced owners might prefer buying a new floating home. New homes can be built to order or made using a pre-designed blueprint. Built to order homes are more expensive but built to the exact specifications of the buyer. Pre-designed homes cost less but are just nice. Regardless of the type, all new homes are well worth it.
Most first time buyers do not realize what it costs to run a floating home. Even though they are floating on water, they are just like regular houses. They require utilities and sewage too. The upkeep on a floating home is typically around that of a regular home. It is a myth that floating houses are less expensive to operate than a normal home.
Houseboats are a major purchases and most buyers need to get a loan. There are marine lenders that specialize in financing for these types of homes. The terms of these loans are the same types of terms one would expect with a traditional home mortgage. Buyers adequate income and decent credit scores can also get pre-approved for a loan.
A major step in purchasing a floating dwelling is getting it inspected. A marine survey is a special type of inspection for floating homes. It consists of a full haul-out inspection of the hull and a complete inspection of the interior of the boat. The value of the boat is based on the results of this survey. Insurance companies and lenders use this survey to determine financing and insurance options available for that boat. Most marine lenders and insurance companies work with a group of authorized divers and marine surveyors. Make sure to use one from this list when getting your boat inspected.
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.
Houseboats for sale receive the same tax advantages as regular houses. Regardless if it is a second home or the primary living residence, a floating dwelling can be included on tax returns. The IRS allows owners to write of mortgage interest payments against their owed income taxes.
