Course How To

Finding Used Houseboats For Sale, tips where to find pre-owned boats

Looking at used houseboats for sale and wondering what's the next step? You can find used houseboats for sale at many boat dealers and brokers, as well as in the classified ads, boat auctions, local marinas, and if you search hard enough with private sellers. Here are some basic sources to start with.


How to Buy a Houseboat

PAGE TOPICS:

Read Tips Before Buying
How & What to Look For?
Do you Buy Older or Newer
Buy "basic" or Fully Loaded
Screen the Classified Ads
Wood-Steel-Alum-Fiberglass?
Loans-Insurance-Movers
Find House Boats For Sale



The "How & What" to Look For?

When visiting potential houseboats to buy, most conscientious buyers will be prepared to look everywhere to really see the condition and workings of the boat. Better to do it before placing an offer to purchase, than after the sale has taken place. Look and try everything to see if everything is functioning properly.


  • Try and visit the houseboat during the daylight hours to really see it.

  • Download and read the ebook on "How to Buy a Houseboat".

  • Make an offer conditional on a Survey, and you pick a Marine Surveyor.

  • Offer is conditional on a Sea-Trial to see how it handles and operates.

  • Bring an experienced boater to evaluate the condition & repairs costs.

  • There's plenty of used houseboats for sale, so don't get stuck on one.

  • Be sure to consider the transport costs when looking at distant boats.

  • Get our free Pre-Plan Checklist to track "For Sale listing info".

  • Be sure to have a dock slip available before purchasing a houseboat.

  • Houseboats For Sale - browse the Houseboat Classifieds Ads
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    Do you Buy an Older or Newer Houseboat?

    You might be asking yourself whether you should buy a "newer model" or maybe an "older model"? When looking at Used Houseboats For Sale, try and remember some of the points below to help in your decision process. The ebook on 'How to Buy a Houseboat' fully explains HOW TO NOT buy the wrong boat.

    Tips for 'Newer Houseboats' For Sale (1 to 15 years)

  • Newer houseboats often have more finance options available.
  • They generally require less maintenance than older houseboats.
  • In the first 10 years, they lose the majority of their depreciation.
  • Generally require a higher down payment and monthly payment.



    • Tips for 'Older Houseboats' For Sale (15 to 30+ years)

  • Older Houseboats generally have "less" finance options available.
  • They cost less, so lower down payment and monthly payments.
  • Have to under go a Marine Survey, and meet the requirements.
  • Older houseboats generally require more maintenance and repairs.






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    Buy a "basic model" or a "fully loaded" one?

    This is a question that gets asked often. To make the decision you should first try and look at the equipment / options that you "need", then look at the items on the "want" list. This "visit checklist" can help in your search.

    It's generally cheaper and less costly to purchase a used boat with all the extras/options that you want, instead of buying a boat then installing all of those extras/options afterwards. The depreciation reduces the value.








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    How to Screen the Houseboat Classifieds Ads

    Learn how to read the Used Houseboats For Sale ads, and How to Read between the Lines!. In order to help you in your search, a frequently used page is the How to Screen the Houseboat Classifieds to save yourself time & $$$. Since your time is valuable and your time is money, this has helped many.








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    Buy an Aluminum, Fiberglass, Steel, or Wood?

    With so many houseboat manufacturers around, it's hard to know where to start. A common question in the houseboat forums is should you purchase an aluminum, fiberglass, steel or wood houseboat?




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    Find Marinas, Movers, Insurance, and Loans

    Owning a houseboat is a lot more than actually having a boat, so here are some links to common services like Marinas, Transport, Storage, Surveyor's, Loans, Insurance and so on.




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    Where to find Used Houseboats For Sale?

    As you can see, there's various places to find Houseboats For Sale. Whether you're looking for aluminum, fiberglas, steel or wood. Whether you're looking for pontoon, full hull, planing or trailerable houseboats, there's a boat for everyone's budget. There's new houseboats, used, pre owned, or rental boats.

  • Houseboat Classifieds - from All About Houseboats

  • A floating home houseboat for sale in Boston MA.



    • Current Auctions - Used Houseboats For Sale

    You're looking for a deal on a houseboat? You may be interested in looking at houseboats that are For Sale in current auctions. You may very well find a great deal on the houseboat of your dreams.




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    Read about the DO's & DONT's of a Houseboat For Sale

    Return to House Boat For Sale, from Used Houseboats For Sale

    Return to All about Houseboats from Used House Boats For Sale page

    Boats For Sale Directory - sources of boat dealers & brokers




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