You've been tossing around the idea of purchasing a houseboat for a long time now. You've added to the unavoidable mental pros versus cons list and you keep second guessing every decision you've decided to (or not to) make. It's true that buying a houseboat is an incredible investment and one decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, but don't let yourself get overwhelmed by the prospect of houseboat ownership; there are a lot of reasons why finding your way to a houseboat could be the best decision you ever made.
House On The Water
One of the issues that first-time prospective buyers face is whether or not buying a houseboat is a necessity, or a mere added expense that they have to come to terms with over the course of the finance. There are a few different ways to look at the situation. First, consider the amount of time that you could spend bonding with the family and nurturing the relationships you hold in a relaxation-inducing environment. Being aboard a houseboat is a complete release and separation from the hustle and hassle of life. For a moment in time, you're given the opportunity to avoid the interrupting calls from work and the aggravating barking of the neighbor's dog in the early hours of the morning. You always dream of hiding away in the house and enjoying some much needed peace and quiet, but be honest to yourself, how often do you actually get it?
It's a common understanding that if you remove yourself from your old routines, you give yourself an opportunity to enjoy life more. When you’re cooped up in the house on the weekend, what do you do? Do you get out and do something out of the ordinary and adventurous, or do you grab that bag of potato chips and watch the same old reruns of M.A.S.H and wait for the sun to set? Once on a houseboat, all of your cares and worries dissipate and the same old, same old becomes an aquatic world of wonder and leisure. There are endless possibilities on a houseboat. From the weekend getaways to the summer holidays, a houseboat will revolutionarily change your point of view on the world around you both mentally and literally.
Life Is Precious
You've all heard the phrase, "Life is too short to (fill in the blank)." Well, it's absolutely true. Our world is constructed to make people strive hard to achieve the things they want in life. Not that there's anything wrong with that. A person should take pride in his hard-earned achievements, but don't let anything hold you back. We're all given a limited time to enjoy the things this world has to offer, so why keep those things out of your reach? A houseboat is an avenue to experience the natural pleasures found on a lake or river and there's nothing quite like stepping out on the deck, breathing in the cool water breeze and watching the sun break the horizon in the morning.
With no car horns blaring and no lawnmowers buzzing in the early hours, you get to enjoy the sound of birds singing and the leaves dancing in the morning light. Not only that, but every moment in your house on the lake is the absolute best in privacy and independence.
When you begin approaching the twilight of your life, wouldn't time be better spent reminiscing on the great memories made with friends and family while you sit lazily on your houseboat, toasting to your health and happiness? You may find happiness taking a holiday cruise to some tropical island, but a houseboat is an island destination at your convenience and is always ready to welcome her captain aboard.
The Ultimate Party
For those of us who love the company of friends and family, there's absolutely no better place to host a get-together than a houseboat. While kids are sometimes hard to entertain, they'll undoubtedly love the possibilities for fun and adventure that a houseboat provides. Not to mention you can keep them away from video games for a time and let them experience life the way nature intended them to.
For everyone else, it's impossible not to find comfort and relaxation anywhere onboard. Pour them a drink. Lounge quietly on the back deck and watch the world slowly move around you. Fire up the grill and share an incredible dinner. Whatever you choose to do, your experience is magnified when you're doing it on a houseboat.
Money? Not A Problem
Everything we do in life always boils down to our finances. Most of our struggle in deciding what to do is based on our limited funds, but don't get discouraged. Houseboats can be financed at rates you wouldn't believe. Much like a house on land, a houseboat can be financed over the course of many years with an acceptable APR, and although it may be a little more than your average car payment, the payments can be negotiated to be affordable.
Another question you may be asking yourself is, “Is this really worth the extra monthly payments?" This question isn't easily answered. It's true that you would be adding another expense to the monthly budget, but with lenders creating affordable plans and coverage rates to first-time buyers, the additional expense is completely feasible. If you become increasingly worried about the practicality of owning a houseboat, do yourself a favor and rent one for a weekend. Spending a weekend aboard may be the grain that tips the scale and reassures you that buying one of your own is the next logical step.
Properly evaluating everything and taking time to get professional advice on financing a houseboat can also greatly alleviate any stresses and concerns you may have. There are a lot of people in the world who are already enjoying their lives aboard the floating house of their dreams, and that dream can most certainly include you. Money's important, but it's not everything.
Making The Final Decision
If you've been toying with the idea of investing in a houseboat for a long time, it's fairly clear that you want to buy. The only issue is feeling comfortable and safe about taking the next step. If you've done the research and weighed all of the possibilities, then you'll know the only decision you should be making is which houseboat is best for you.
Houseboating is not a luxury or a vanity, but a wonderfully special way of life. Houseboat ownership can bring in a completely new and unique set of possibilities in your life and give you a great reason to relish the captivating beauty of the world that a houseboat brings with it. Whether you love to host friends, fish, escape the confines of daily life or spend a quiet, intimate night with the one you love, a houseboat has something to offer. Don't let yourself be held back by life; soak it up and create lasting, beautiful memories to cherish forever from aboard your perfect house on the lake.