Houseboats are an affordable housing alternative for people seeking a waterfront home as their permanent residence or holiday house.

Mandurah Boat Sales principal Lester Weston said houseboats were popular with people wanting an inexpensive holiday home or those who worked away, such as mine workers.

"The $700,000-plus apartments overlooking a marina are too expensive for most people, but a $200,000 'floating apartment' is affordable," Mr Weston said.

"Retirees, divorcees -- I've even had inquires from a young couple who couldn't afford a traditional house -- are discovering houseboats are an affordable way to own property."

Mr Weston said that while some people lived on their houseboats permanently, most boats were used as holiday homes.

"Having a houseboat somewhere like Mandurah, where the waterways are houseboat-friendly, is an easy getaway from Perth and much cheaper than buying one of the properties overlooking the water," he said.

"The Mandurah Ocean Marina has security checks each night, so your home is secure when you're not there.

"You can travel to the nearby islands and up and down the estuary."

To read more, visit http://www.perthnow.com.au/real-estate/its-an-idyllic-life-on-a-houseboat/story-e6frg3nu-1225868820492