Houseboats have long been viewed as a home for retirees looking for a quiet life away on the water, but over recent years the property market has seen massively changing trends in the number of boats sold, as well as a completely different demographic of potential buyers.

The number of houseboats sold increased by an astonishing 880% last year. Countless industries felt the impact of the pandemic, and property was no exception. Many people wanted to experience more freedom after the restrictions of lockdown, and a life on the water suddenly became much more appealing.

But how easy is it to sell your boat? What are the pros and cons of living in a floating home? And how should you market to potential buyers to ensure you get a quick and smooth sale?

What is a houseboat?

Houseboats come in a whole range of different shapes and sizes.

Traditional modified ship

Traditional modified ships are almost certainly the most popular type of houseboat. The inside of this model is converted into a real home without making any changes to the exterior.

Modern modified ship

This type of boat is modified to fit the new home-living function by removing the upper part of the ship and replacing it with a new house. The modern modified ship is often referred to as a shark, combining its ship characteristics with its new 'ark'-like features. (This shark won't attack you in the water though!)

Non-motorised ship on a barge

Even though you can't actually move across the water using a non-motorised ship, it's still technically a houseboat. Often referred to as floating homes, these vessels can be limitlessly large and luxurious (depending on space and area regulations).

Motorised pontoon boat

A boat pontoon is more boat, less house. This vessel is primarily designed to be used as a boat, but includes all the amenities of a home.

Dutch barges versus narrowboats

Dutch barges and narrowboats may sometimes be confused for one another. While a narrowboat is specifically designed for inland canals, a dutch barge can be used in different marinas. Usually, a narrowboat will have a beam of seven feet or less, while a barge's width will exceed seven feet.

How popular are houseboats?

From recently-retired grandparents who have dreamed of a life on the water, to young professionals who are done with the hustle and bustle of city life, a potential buyer could be anyone from your great grandmother to your little brother. Statistics from the Canal & River Trust revealed the number of houseboats in the UK increased by 6% since 2012, and a whopping 84% in London.

The advantages of a houseboat

Some of the main advantages include:

• You don't have to pay council tax if you continually cruise along the river (as opposed to a permanent mooring).
• There's no stamp duty to pay.
• You have much more flexibility and freedom when it comes to travel and exploring.
• Holidays and trips can be a lot cheaper because you have ready-to-use accommodation 24/7.
• You can channel your inner Thoreau with a more outdoorsy lifestyle.
• Houseboat communities are known for being really close-knit and supportive, which is a great thing to be a part of.

The disadvantages of a houseboat

Common disadvantages include:

• If you like your space, a houseboat is rarely the place to find it. Because they need to be small enough to fit into a small marina or a canal, there's often limited space.
• Limited space also means limited personal space. If you're living on a houseboat with a partner or family, you could end up craving alone time you'll rarely get the chance to experience.
• Maintenance is non-stop on a boat. Engine service, filling the water tank, treating rust spots, and of course, the one job no one wants...emptying the toilet. It's hard work. There's always a job to do and you need to be prepared to take that responsibility on.
• While freedom of travel is an amazing notch to the houseboat's belt, this comes with its own challenges too. If you don't want to pay for a permanent mooring, you have to continuously cruise which may become difficult if you need to stay in one place for work or want to stay connected with friends and family.
• Water-borne vessels are usually seen to be a depreciating asset, so it might be difficult to sell your boat in the future.

Factors that impact a houseboat sale

Price: You need to sell your craft at a good price if you want to sell quickly. That means taking market value into consideration and pricing competitively (without underpricing your boat of course).

Location: How popular are houseboats in your area? What's the position of your boat? Is the closest body of water within an easy travelling distance? Where your boat is based will greatly impact the ease of your sale.

The current market: Supply and demand impacts any kind of sale, and it's no different with a houseboat. It's good to be aware of the current market as well as the economic climate, so you can try to sell for the right price.

Advertising: Marketing matters. If you spend little time, effort and money on marketing, chances are your craft is going to be listed for a long time. There are plenty of free advertising opportunities online like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. It's also good to list in the newspaper (print or online) if possible.

Your buying audience: The process can differ depending on whether you're selling your craft to a dealer or selling your boat privately. If you decide to go with a dealer rather than an individual, it may be an easier sale, but you probably won't get the best price for your vessel.

Tips for a quick boat sale

Get rid of your belongings

A prospective buyer doesn't want to see your stuff scattered all around what could be their new home. Similarly to preparing for a house sale, when you're selling your boat, you want your prospective buyers to be able to picture it as their own. A brand new boat ready for them to start making memories.

Make that boat sparkle!

Make your boat squeaky clean for potential buyers. It'll be so much more appealing and could mean you sell faster and for a better price.

Make sure it's in good condition

The boat's condition can have a massive impact on the sale. Make sure the ship's basic maintenance is all up to date, and repair any damages that could affect the boat's safety. Prioritise performance and safety measures rather than aesthetic issues. After all, you probably won't know the new owner's taste and they may just change everything once they move in anyway.

Find the right time

Supply and demand always matters, and that includes when you're selling boats. If you want to sell your boat fast, it's always better to put it up for sale when people are looking. The best months for boat owners to sell are between February and June, just before boating season.

How much do houseboats cost?

You won't be surprised to hear prices vary greatly depending on the model, condition, and age of a boat. The average price of a houseboat can be anything between £250,000 and £450,000, but that is very much an average. Some narrowboats go for less than £50,000, while other floating mansions on the market can cost millions of pounds.

As well as the purchase price of the actual boat, there are additional costs to think about, such as:

Boat Safety Certificate and Insurance

Think of this like an MOT for a car. The boat needs to be licensed, insured and have a valid Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate. A BSS will cost around £150 a year plus any repair costs. The price of insurance will vary depending on the cover you need, but prices usually start from approximately £200 a year.

Canal and River Trust Licences

Once you have your boat safety certificate and insurance you can apply for a Canal and River Trust Licence. The cost of a licence can vary depending on the type of boat and the length of the policy. There are three, six and 12-month options that range between £510 and £1100. Some waterways need a separate licence (River Thames and Norfolk Broads).

Mooring fees

The cost of mooring fees depends on where you live. The price range can be from £2000 in some regions up to £18000 in London. There are two different types of mooring; either residential or leisure. A residential mooring lets you live on your boat full-time, whereas leisure gives you a few days a week. It's usually best to get a full service mooring with water, fuel, a sewerage facility and power. It's also wise to secure your mooring before you buy your boat, whether that's finding one before the purchase date or checking if the current mooring is included.

Council tax

A permanent mooring requires you to pay council tax, though it will usually be in the lowest band and a single occupant will benefit from a 25% discount. If you're a continuous cruiser (which means you must move every two weeks) you don't have to pay any council tax at all.

Fuel, heating and other costs

Make sure to budget around £100 a month for other costs such as fuel, utilities and toilet pump-out. It's also really important to invest every three to five years in some corrosion-preventing hull blacking and painting, which costs around £850.

Selling with a brokerage service

A seller who isn't sure about how to sell a boat on their own will often turn to boat brokers to help with their sale. Experienced boat brokers will have expert knowledge and sales experience about different manufacturers, prices, models and makes, and will know when and where to check for problems for the survey. This keeps things really smooth for the next buyer.

Summary: Your sale, their sail

As with the sale of any property, selling boats comes with its fair share of challenges. However, the key is to make sure your boat is in good condition for any prospective buyers, safe and up to date with its insurance and licensing, and advertised WELL.

Boats have soared in popularity over recent years, so there is a very strong and clear demand for this type of living. It's just about finding the right price for your boat and keeping it desirable in the current market.

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