Is it a house or is it a boat? Should you be speaking with a home mortgage broker or a marine finance broker for finance? Not totally unsurprising questions as houseboats are somewhat of a niche market in the boating sector. But they do come under the boat loan finance category, not housing loans. Home loans are for fixed property. Boat loans are for moveable assets or goods such as boats. So you’re in the right place to source a loan to buy a houseboat as Jade Boat Loans offers loans for that purpose.
Houseboats may be a niche and smaller market than the more popular traditional trailer boats and cruisers, but WOW, they certainly offer a great boating experience. You have so much space to spread out and enjoy and for those that still tend towards a land-based rather than on-water lifestyle, the houseboat can be the ideal solution. They can be a great option for people that want to take their pets on their boat as space will be more akin to what the pet is used to at home.
One of the great attractions is that for some houseboats you may not need a special boating licence, just a car licence, to operate the vessel. Though safely navigating the waterways will still require a good solid knowledge of boating rules and regulations so getting your boat licence could be a smart move. Click for more information.
Houseboats can be easier to operate than some traditional boats but you will still need to adhere to all the relevant marine safety rules and legislation governing the waterway you operate in. Not suited to outside waters, houseboats are generally seen on rivers and lakes and are an iconic sight on the Murray River and are popular on Lake Macquarie and the Hawkesbury River in NSW and on the Broadwater at the Gold Coast in Queensland.
While houseboats do offer more useable space than some cruisers, the capacity is still regulated. Each vessel will have a limit to the number of persons permitted on board at any one time. In some waterways, houseboats can only be driven between sunrise and sunset, not at night.
So there are plenty of great reasons to consider buying a houseboat including the current interest rates on offer for boat loans.
Houseboat Loans
Jade Boat Loans can offer cheap houseboat loans as we are accredited with specialist marine lenders that have an in-depth understanding of the entire boating market.
The loan product we recommend for houseboats is our Secured Boat Loan. This is a versatile loan product that we source, negotiate and structure to meet the individual needs of our customers and their boat.
Features include:-
- Jade’s cheap marine finance interest rates which are fixed for the entire term of your loan. So no need to review your loan when interest rates changes or your fixed interest rate period expires as many home loan holders do.
- The loan term is fixed. Your Jade consultant negotiates with our lenders to achieve a loan term that best meets your expectations and achieves the repayment level that will work with your finances over the loan term.
- As the interest rate and loan term are both fixed, the repayment level is also fixed. This allows are customers to plan their budget requirements.
- Additional payments are permitted with this type of loan. That is purely a personal choice but if you do want to make extra payments and pay off your houseboat loan earlier than the loan term, it is there as an option. If you do finalise the loan prior to the end of the loan term, minimal break fees usually apply.
- As with all consumer loans, applicants will need to be over 18 years and meet the loan application guidelines as set out under consumer laws and regulations.
You can start working up estimate figures on a houseboat loan immediately, using our boat loan repayment calculator. These loan tools can be used for all types of boat loans.
Buying a Houseboat
Houseboats are available through a number of Australian manufacturers. Most are custom vessels that are built to order, based on the individual customer specifications around the manufacturer’s own designs and models.
Some of the leading houseboat manufacturers in Australia include Anchorage Houseboats, Baldwin Boats and The Houseboat Factory. All offer some spectacular designs with luxury inclusions that are sure to make your houseboating experience absolutely amazing.
Places to Go Houseboating
You’ll need to stay on waterways such as rivers and lakes with your houseboat. The Murray River and the Hawkesbury River are top picks for houseboats. They offer gentle manageable water conditions at most times, and plenty of activities to enjoy while aboard and onshore.
If purchasing from interstate or intrastate, speak with the manufacturer about the process of transporting your houseboat from the factory to your preferred port. It can be advisable to discuss this in your initial conversations so the costs involved can also be included in your Jade houseboat loan.
Contact 1300 000 003 to discuss your houseboat loan options.
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION AND SPECIFIC DETAILS CONTAINED IN THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE HAVE BEEN PREPARED AND ARE PRESENTED PURELY AS GENERAL INFORMATION AND NOT INTENDED AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR BOAT BUYERS AND LOAN BORROWERS. FOR THOSE THAT CONSIDER THEY REQUIRE SPECIFIC ADVICE, THEY SHOULD CONSULT WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. LIABILITY IS NOT ACCEPTED IN REGARD TO ERRORS AND MISPRESENTED DATA AND DETAILS HEREIN.
