Page 9 - Real Estate Now Sept-Oct 2021

to understand why there are plenty of floating home communities in these areas. You’ll find tons of floating homes
peppered along the ocean, Fraser River coastlines, Fisherman’s Wharf, Coal Harbour, Granville Island, Stevenson, and
Delta to name a few.
In Ontario, the prize goes to Bluffer’s Park, where a row of 24 floating homes make the marina not just a coveted
address but a bit of a tourist destination, too.

Maintaining a floating house
Just like any house on land, you need an inspection before taking the plunge into floating home ownership. However,
unlike a regular house, you’ll need to hire a diver to inspect the floats beneath your home. The home will have to meet
building standards and codes, too. It’s not just a free for all on the water!
Maintenance of your home will generally be the same. After all, it’s a “regular” home that’s floating on concrete or
pontoons. There’s no motor or mechanical system like on a houseboat, so no additional maintenance is needed there.
There are some different aspects to floating house maintenance, like having to empty your sewage tank every couple
of months, but on the flip side you don’t have to mow the lawn. It’s a give and take.
Now, about the prices…

If you are considering life in a floating home, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. With those calming
waves and scenic views come some unexpected things.
• Moorage fees
These vary between municipalities and marinas, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $600 and
$1,500 a month for the right to tie up; exactly what you’ll be charged is based on the square footage of your
home’s footprint.
• Property tax
Just because you aren’t on a city street doesn’t mean you get away from taxes; most floating homes will cost you
about $1,000 a year in property taxes.
• Septic services
Right, almost forgot about these; if you don’t have a connection to the sewage system, you’ll have to fork over
about $40 every month or two for septic services.
• Potentially higher mortgage rates
Until floating homes lose the “alternative” label, many banks might be hesitant to finance what is, in effect, a
watercraft; take this into account when budgeting for your floating home.

www.BCislandhomes.ca | REAL ESTATE NOW | 9