Prospective buyers aren’t just turning to units across SA to save cash as the cost of living continues to rise – they’re also looking to the water.
Marina berths have become more popular and more expensive over the past few years, with some now fetching in excess of $100,000.
MichaelKris Real Estate agent Matthew Lee said relentless property price and general living cost rises since the Covid pandemic have made them more appealing to those keen to both live or holiday in houseboats, especially in places like the Mannum Waters and White Sands Riverglen marinas.
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The marina berth at 141 Pelican Drive in Mannum Waters sold for $105,000 in June last year.
It was 390sqm and near the river entrance.
“They’ve gone from $85,000 to $95,000 to $110,000 and now there’s a $120,000 one,” he said.
“They’ve certainly risen in price over the years.
“Once the Covid tax hit everything, we saw a huge increase in demand.
“We see more and more full-time liveaboards.”
Mr Lee sold a 9.49m by 30m, or 284sqm, berth in the Riverglen Marina for $110,000 late last year.
Meanwhile, a 10m by 39m, or 390sqm, one at Mannum Waters, sold by BH Partners’ Peter Wright, fetched $105,000 in June last year.
The one Mr Lee sold attracted such a high price for several reasons, he said, including that it was the largest single-berth in the marina and was positioned closest to the river entrance.
“That really sets the price, then best views come next,” Mr Lee said.
“For the cost to get in with a houseboat on the water, you’re about half the price of a shack.”
Mr Lee said houseboats ranged from around $200,000 to $700,000.
He said a person in their 60s recently sold their house in Adelaide’s northeast then used two thirds of the cash to buy a houseboat and now rents a marina berth – which cost about $550 per month in Riverglen and around $520 per month at Mannum Waters.
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The Riverglen Marina berth at 1 Marina View Rd sold for $110,000 in November last year.
The Copper Cove Marina berth at Lot 301 Inverness Way in Wallaroo sold for $67,500 in December last year.
As marinas offered mains power and water, pumping facilities and security, Mr Lee said they were much more appealing than finding a place to moor along the river.
“They’re pretty well lock and leave as well, there’s always someone in the marina who will keep an eye on their boat,” he said.
Mr Lee believed marinas could help fix the housing shortage if more were given the green light to be built.
While prices were rising, there were still plenty of more affordable options available.
A 12m by 5m berth at New Port Quays sold for $10,000 in September last year, while a 62sqm one in Wallaroo’s Copper Cove Marina was snapped up for $67,500 in December.
Not all SA marinas allow liveaboard boats, with each having their own rules and regulations around permanent residency on vessels.
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