Considering a Float Home on Vancouver Island? Read This First.

You wake up on the water.

You’re part of a close-knit community.

You’re surrounded by nature every day.

But float homes are structured differently than traditional real estate and understanding how they work is essential before writing an offer.

Here are a few things many buyers don’t initially realize:

Float homes operate under a lease structure. You own the structure itself, but you lease the moorage from the marina. Lease terms and marina plans/stability matter.

Moorage is sort of your exchange for land cost. What’s included varies by marina, and increases are not governed by residential tenancy rules. It’s important to understand how your specific marina operates. Some marinas require moorage to be paid monthly, others annually.

Some marinas are connected to municipal sewer. Others operate private treatment systems, sometimes at an additional cost. And some have no centralized system at all. Confirming how wastewater is handled is part of due diligence.

What’s underneath the home, whether concrete, steel barge, or encapsulated foam, impacts cost, longevity, maintenance, and insurance requirements. Marine surveys are often required.

Float homes don’t follow the same financing and insurance paths as land-based properties. Options can be more limited, and requirements may differ.

Whether you can keep a boat beside your float home depends on slip dimensions, marina rules, and safety spacing requirements.

Float homes can be an incredible lifestyle choice, but they’re not for everyone.

The key is understanding the structure before committing.

If you’re considering buying a float home in Maple Bay, Cowichan Bay, Genoa Bay or Victoria, I’m hosting a live Zoom information session:

We’ll cover moorage, sewage, flotation, insurance, financing, and what to consider before writing an offer.

If you’d like to attend, send me a message with your email and I’ll forward the Zoom link.

No pressure. Just clarity.