Where To Buy a Houseboat

Those new to houseboats and ready to take the leap often wonder where to buy a houseboat to get the best prices and quality.

Many online and offline places within the US offer services to help you buy a houseboat of your choosing. Some online options include boattrader.com, eliteboatsales.com, the websites of various marinas – as well as eBay. There are also different houseboat brokerage websites that you can use.

While buying a houseboat can be a thrilling experience, there's a lot that goes into purchasing a houseboat that new buyers need to be aware of. Also, buying a houseboat is not the same as buying a car. While people are more familiar with how a car works and what they need to look out for, they aren't as familiar with something as multifaceted as a houseboat. This is why you need to do your research and only visit credible, reliable websites when shopping for a houseboat.

As houseboat owners, we have years of experience in helping others find the perfect houseboat that suits their personality, and more importantly, their budget. To help you out, we've listed the most reliable places where you can buy a houseboat.

‍Where to Buy a Houseboat

To start off on the right foot, we need to mention that you can always visit your local marina to find houseboats that are for sale. While this is the most common option, what other choices do you have?

The following are some great places that you can check out if you are interested in owning your very own houseboat.

Eliteboatsales.com

Of course, being in the digital age, we're going to start with a digital option. Thanks to the growing popularity of houseboats through the years, plenty of online platforms provide information on houseboats for sale. All you have to do is find a reliable online portal to get the best deals and prices in town. 

What sets Eliteboatsales.com apart from the rest is the amount of variety and large inventory of houseboats the site has for sale, which means there's always something for everyone.

In Southern Kentucky, Eliteboatsales specializes in boats. This includes boats on Kentucky's Lake Cumberland, Indiana's Patoka Lake, and Tennessee's Dale Hollow Lake. A group of realtors manages the website. While facilitating the whole process, they are also there to provide buyers with advice and support throughout the process. They can also help you sell your houseboat if you are looking to do so.

There are a few ways to narrow down the perfect boat while looking for one. For instance, if you know the ID number of someone you were recommended to or looking at, type it into the search field and see what comes up. The most recent listings are shown as thumbnails on the homepage. The pricing and the year of construction are among them.

There is a picture of the houseboat on the listing. You can view important details like the year the houseboat was built. A bulleted list of all the features and equipment included with the boat is also included. You may either print or email the picture. The website also includes the realtor's contact information. When you select "additional photographs," you'll be able to see shots from both inside and outside the houseboat. Eliteboatsales also allows users to narrow down their houseboat search by setting the price range, which is another nifty feature that enables houseboat buyers to find one that fits the budget.

Boattrader.com

Boattrader.com is another amazing website to visit if you're looking for a hassle-free houseboat purchasing experience. The first thing that you are going to notice is that houseboats are listed in droves on this site. That's mainly because private individuals and dealers both have boats for sale on the site. When you first start the search, you can specify how far away from your current location you are willing to go to get your hands on your very own houseboat.

One of the reasons boattrader.com is the preferred choice when purchasing a houseboat is because of its ease of use. Once you've arrived at the website, you may use the various search parameters to narrow down your options to the one you desire. The model of the boat, the fuel type, the hull type, the engine type, and the "for sale by" are all examples. You may look through the listings by scrolling down. You can check if it's for sale by a private owner or a brokerage at the bottom of the ad. You'll also find images of the boat, as well as information on its year, manufacture, and model.

Ebay.com

In case you didn't see this coming (and how couldn't you? We mentioned it in the second paragraph), eBay is another place where you can find just about anything these days - including houseboats. Some are immediately available for purchase at a set price. Others are up for grabs in a bidding war. Because houseboats are such a high-ticket item, most of them have a waiting list. On the site, you'll be able to locate both new and secondhand boats. Make sure you do your homework first. eBay has a fantastic buyer protection policy in place, so making use of it will assist you throughout the process.

One issue to bear in mind is that due to time restrictions, you may not be able to get a surveyor to look at the boat before you buy it. It is possible to exchange contact information with the boat's owner and, if feasible, pay a visit to the vessel. Another benefit of using eBay is the fact that there are a variety of funding options to choose from.

That being said, just like when purchasing anything, you need to do your due diligence and do the required research on the type of houseboat you are about to purchase and find out all there is to know about the houseboat for sale online. Remember, houseboat owners interested in selling their houseboat rather than making a quick buck have no qualms sharing information on the houseboat, while scammers are more likely to be reluctant to share any information on the houseboat for sale.

Houseboat Manufacturers

If you are looking for a new option that’s customizable, then you can’t go wrong with houseboat manufacturers. Purchasing a new houseboat from a houseboat manufacturer is a common option. The build of the boat, the model of the boat, the sorts of boats they create, whether standard, bespoke, or luxury, and the technology of the boat are all aspects that each company is recognized for. The type of boat you want is entirely dependent on your tastes and financial constraints. Spending time learning about each manufacturer's reputation might assist you in deciding where to look for your new houseboat.

The best part about getting a houseboat straight from the manufacturer is there's no intermediary involved, and you may buy the boat directly from the providers of the precise houseboat you want. Because they are working with major corporations who are frequently in the limelight and want to prevent bad news, this alone almost ensures that you will always get the best deals when choosing a houseboat manufacturer. Rather than having to settle for what's already in the houseboat, you can also customize it according to your personal preference.

Houseboat Shows

That’s right. There are also dedicated events where houseboats are showcased and sold to those interested. Times have changed, and you no longer have to make transactions in person. With the click of a button, you may browse houseboats from manufacturers, brokers or dealers, and resellers while on the internet. You'll be able to compare rates more objectively and without being pressured by salespeople.

In most situations, once you've found the perfect houseboat after conducting extensive research, you may complete the purchase online. Delivery or pick-up can also be arranged to meet your requirements. Most people prefer this strategy over walking into a store and talking to a salesperson who will tell you everything you want to hear while ignoring the disadvantages. You'll be able to be more objective since you'll be able to assess each description and exhibit offered.

Paying for the Houseboat

Many people who buy houseboats pay cash rather than take out a loan. This is mainly because the majority of lenders will not lend on floating houses. This is due to the fact that houseboats are not able to be registered with the Land Registry. Plus, you could use it to sail off into the sunset before paying off the debt.

There are specialized "marine mortgages" available, however, they need a 25% down payment minimum and come with higher interest rates and a shorter payback duration.

When it comes to buying a houseboat, there is a wide range of prices, so look around and compare options and prices before you sign on the dotted line.