This 12m open houseboat is for sale for $ 129,900. Photo: Bootsonline.com.au
A growing number of Queenslanders exchanges bricks and mortar for decks and water in an attempt to find affordable homes at an increasingly expensive real estate markets.
Experts in the maritime industry noted that the demand for live-aboard boats is increasing, because home and rental prices are rising in the Sunshine State.
John Norfolk, owner of the infinite marine brokers, established in Brisbane, said he had noticed a huge influx of buyers who were looking for a ship that they could live full -time.
“I would say that there is now at least 40 percent of the questions for living on board boats,” he said.
“That is about a 10-fold increase compared to pre-covid.”
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics of the Census 2021 showed that 29,369 people lived in a hut (land -based) or on a houseboat on Census Night.
Of these, 1978 were in a marina, while 22,354 were on land -based locations, with 5,038 that indicate ‘other’, possibly thousands on houseboats outside of a marina.
Mr. Norfolk said that a mix of people ventured into boot living, including pensioners, couples and single parents.
“Most of the live speech that we have encountered are everywhere in the Gold Coast waterways,” he said.
“There are also a few in the River Brisbane and a handful in the Passage Bribie.
“If you take Beacemere (on the Cabolenture River), there are probably about 30 or 40 boats there and at least 10 of them are on boofden.”
This well -built and beloved 32 Easy Cat is for sale for offers from around $ 130,000. Photo: Bootsonline.com.au
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A spokesperson for Maritime Safety Queensland said it was legal to live on board a boat in most Queensland areas, apart from a few regulated waterways of the Sunshine Coast, as long as the ships meet standards and regulations under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety Feed) ACT 1994.
“Other factors that influence life on board are limitations on anchoring, mooring and grounding in some parts of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Norkfolk said prior to the current boom, most buyers who were looking for a boat they could live on had a trip in mind, but now most of them just want a house.
“When a cheaper houseboat comes up, around $ 90,000 – $ 120,000 reach, we are bombed with questions,” he said.
“They don’t care about fitness, they just want cheap accommodation.
“There is the stranger who wants to do the rib trip or sail around Australia, but it is more the case (buyers) have no other options and they try to find somewhere to live.
“You could buy a $ 150,000 boat in contrast to a house of $ 800,000 or even if you pay rent, you would probably still be better off (financially) paying for a boat and living on board.”
This updated MC residential boat from 2006 is for sale for $ 275,000. Photo: Bootsonline.com.au
The experienced broker said that during life on board a floating ship had unique challenges, in general it looked like apartment dwelling.
“You have cooking facilities, you have bedrooms or bunk beds and you have toilets and showers at 90 percent of them,” he said.
“I currently have a houseboat of $ 300,000 that is being completely renovated and it is actually a floating unit with two bedrooms with a huge lounge and completely upper deck.
“Then you have sailor facilities such as toilet and shower blocks and washing machines.”
Lorraine Drydale of Ray White Hope Island has been selling Marina location for eight years and also noticed an increased demand for boot diving since 2020.
“During Covid, many people got on their boats or rented boats so that they could stay on boats,” she said.
“Then just after Covid when there was a price explosion at home and rental prices, demand increased.
“It is only the last 12 months that the question has risen.”
‘The Boathouse’ is modern 13.7 million houseboat for sale for $ 559,000. Photo: Bootsonline.com.au
Mrs. Drysdale said of what she saw, many of those who wanted to live full -time on a boat, did this for financial reasons.
“I think it is more than 45s who are looking for lifestyle at an affordable price,” she said.
“They can’t afford to buy real estate at the Gold Coast, but they can afford a boat.
“Renting a berth is around $ 1000 per month and that includes electricity and water, and at the end they can sell the boat and are still better off.
“They can also rent a boat and berth.”
Mrs. Drysdale said that although many Marinas live did not allow on board, such as Hope Island Resort Marina welcomed a certain amount, with freehold berths for sale and rent.
“We may sell 25 a year,” she said.
“For some it is a luxury, a place to save their boat, and for others it is a good investment.”
Doug Ryan, who lives on board his 45ft yacht, ‘Shazam’, said in Noord -Veensland that everyone who wants to live on board, the costs of maintenance and mooring maintenance and more considering.
“Normally the average costs would be around 15 percent of the purchase price per year to maintain a boat,” he said.
“A boat like mine would cost around $ 800,000, but you can buy a smaller plate for probably around $ 50,000.
“Everything under which you would worry about whether it is structurally healthy.”
Doug Ryan on board his boat ‘Shazam’. Image: Shae Beerplaat
Mr. Ryan said that houseboats that did not move, were usually more affordable, compared to ships used for travel.
“Uni students used to buy old houseboats and anchor in the River Brisbane to save money,” he said.
The experienced sailor with decades on the water under his belt said that while living on board had its advantage, it was not always “sunsets and champagne”.
“We noticed during Covid, many people bought boats and the prices were really high,” he said.
“Once people came to them and realized that it was not the easiest life – you have to know a bit about electronics and mechanics – many boats came back on the market.”
But there were clear benefits.
“It takes me about five minutes to throw the lines and then I look at dolphins,” he said.
“And you can move if you don’t like your neighbors.”
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