So you've always wanted a house boat? One's for sale on Horseshoe Pond at Presque Isle
Living on a floating home near the eastern tip of Presque Isle State Park is, for most people, more dream than reality.
The 24 houseboats anchored in Horseshoe Pond are rarely for sale, as owners typically pass down the homes to family members.
More: See inside a Presque Isle houseboat and learn about the owner's upkeep and weather challenges
But for those still dreaming, hope is in store.
Houseboat No. 17, perched on the western side of Horseshoe Pond, away from Coast Guard Road, is now for sale.
Listed at $299,900, the two-bedroom, one-bath houseboat is the first houseboat to go on sale since 2018 and one of the most renovated, according to Jake Scheloske, vice president of sales for Agresti Real Estate.
“It’s one of the nicest ones out there,” Scheloske said. “The owner put a lot of money into it and they’re a lot of quality things.”
Those things include an eat-in kitchen and living room with a built-in sectional and wood stove, a vaulted ceiling and ceiling fans, skylights and new decking.
The houseboat also has new electric and water lines, heating and central air conditioning and an updated pontoon style flotation system.
2022: New houseboat arrives at Horseshoe Pond in Presque Isle State Park
All appliances, including a refrigerator and electric oven, and most of the furniture, will be included.
“It’s a turnkey operation,” Scheloske said. “It’s very thought-out, very high-end.”
Owning a houseboat is a bit different than a regular house. There’s no deed or title. And there’s also no real estate tax. Owners essentially lease a mooring spot from Presque Isle State Park at roughly $1,000 a year.
Access is also different: Houseboats, by design, can only be reached by boat. Scheloske said the houseboat for sale has an assigned dock space. A boat, belonging to the current owner, can be negotiated separately, Scheloske said.
While houseboats allow owners to enjoy sunsets and the wildlife of Presque Isle, maintenance and bad weather can be sticking points.
In recent months, three houseboats sustained damage due to bad weather and structural issues.
"Everyone realizes that the winter storms can cause some issues, primarily with anchoring," said Mike Hirsch, a houseboat owner who's also president of the Presque Isle Houseboat Owners Association, in a recent interview with the Erie Times-News. "For the most part, people out there are problem solvers who are constantly working to keep their houseboats floating and in good shape."
Scheloske stressed that the houseboat for sale has been well maintained and renovated.
As per state guidelines, no additional houseboats can be added to Horseshoe Pond. The arrangement allows for a peaceful aquatic neighborhood, where houseboat owners can easily visit each other but remain sufficiently spaced for privacy.
For inquiries about the property, contact Scheloske at 814-459-9400 or 814-449-7973. For more information, visit Realtor.com.
More: How Horseshoe Pond became home to Presque Isle State Park's houseboats
A.J. Rao can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNRao.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Renovated houseboat at Presque Isle State Park is for sale