If you’ve always considered yourself to be one step above the average nautical fan, you may be the perfect buyer for this 1,500 square-foot, fully furnished, two-bedroom Marina Bay houseboat that’s fresh on the housing market. Or, rather, the houseboating, market, according to Boston Magazine.
“It’s literally a floating house,” Austin Partain of William Raveis Real Estate in Quincy Center told The Patriot Ledger. “If you were to take this and put it on a piece of land it would fit right in.”
Boat Turned Floating House
Originally named Miss Leah, this vessel was built in 2005 by North Shore developer Global Boat Works and was intended to be a permanent living space. After the owner moved to Florida, however, Miss Leah became part of the $70 billion timeshare industry.
Partain told The Patriot Ledger that he “couldn’t see the house being ideal for new homeowners. It doesn’t qualify for home mortgages since it is technically a boat named Miss Leah, but he thinks it’s a good option for seasonal travelers or those looking for a timeshare.”
Once available to rent for $2,500 a week, the boat is now available for permanent ownership for the cost of $269,000, which was recently lowered from the initial asking price of $329,000. There are also annual marina and utility fees of about $12,000.
The New England Colonial boat is fully loaded with a variety of upgrades and amenities. The kitchen features ample counter space and a full-sized oven, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. It’s also equipped with central air conditioning and a Jacuzzi tub. But most importantly, Miss Leah boasts spectacular views of the Boston skyline from both its first and second-story decks and almost every window.
“He really spared no expense,” said Partain.
Advantages of a Floating House
According to a Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) study, 22% of leisure travelers choose a vacation rentals over a hotel, but for lifelong boat-lovers, Miss Leah could be an absolute dream come true.
“Since there is no parcel of land there aren’t property taxes, which is a big bonus,” Partain said. “And you really could live there year round — it’s such a unique thing.”
Another unique appeal to this vessel? Its relative location to Boston’s most exciting attractions.
“Walk out your door and within a couple minutes shop, dine or hangout on the boardwalk,” writes Daniel Libon in The Quincy Patch. “The boardwalk is expanding this fall with more restaurants and retail…Only a 10-15 minute drive up into downtown Boston and five-minute walk to the new ferry to Boston or shuttle to the North Quincy Red Line station.”
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