Sailing fanatic, 34, is beating the real estate market by living in a two-story house built on pontoons

A woman who couldn’t afford to climb the real estate ladder in Toronto has revealed how she beat the market by buying a house that floats on water.

Sailing fanatic Kate Fincham currently lives with her cats, Charlie and Finn, in a 52m2 two storey house in Scarborough Bluffs.

Unlike a normal home, the 34-year-old’s property is built on steel pontoons and tends to make her feel seasick at times.

She previously lived in a shared apartment with three roommates before hitting the water in the summer of 2020, but now she balances her time between working from home with stunning views and outdoor activities, including sunset kayaking and relaxing on the beach .

“My life is completely different,” Kate, who works in marketing, told NeedToKnow.Online.

Sailing fanatic Kate Fincham currently resides in a 550 square foot two story home in the Scarborough Bluffs neighborhood

Kate previously lived in a shared apartment with three flatmates before hitting the water in the summer of 2020. Now she balances her time between working from home with stunning views and outdoor activities like sunset kayaking and relaxing on the beach

She said her idyllic home is in a park, so she has access to hiking trails and beaches.

Kate said: “Every morning or after work I go for a walk by the water or through the park or do sunrise or sunset kayaks. I keep my kayak tied to my back deck, so I just jump in and go.

“It’s so peaceful and soothing to live here. It feels like a microcosm, but it’s only 30 minutes from downtown Toronto.’

She added: “The community is incredible too – we always have dock drinks, ladies nights, dinners, rooftop movie nights and general weekly get togethers with the owners of floating houses and houseboats.

“It’s all ages from people in their 30s to their 70s and we all help each other and enjoy each other’s company.”

Kate said: “It’s so peaceful and soothing to live here. It feels like a microcosm but is only 30 minutes from downtown Toronto.

Compared to the average price of a home in Toronto, Kate has saved CA$410,000 ($299,480) by choosing to live on the water.

Kate said living in the city has become so unaffordable that she’s not even considering buying a condo or house.

She said: “It was a very different lifestyle – living right in the bustling heart of the city, within walking distance of work and with all the amenities of a metropolis within easy reach.

“Although I got along very well with my roommates, you never really feel like you really have the space as we all share the kitchen and living area.

“I now have a lot more freedom in my area.

“I own the boat and it was significantly cheaper to buy than any other condo or property in town.”

Kate said she has no regrets as her new home has given her a more peaceful and fulfilling life

Kate said condos in Toronto average about CAD$750,000 ($547,835).

While the 34-year-old has saved money buying her new home, she admits she has to spend a little more than usual on utilities.

However, Kate said she has no regrets as her new property has given her a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

The stationary home is spread over two floors and features a loft bedroom, a kitchen, a functional toilet, a bathtub and even a fireplace.

Kate’s monthly expenses are about the same as they were when she rented in downtown Toronto.

She enjoys having the whole place to herself rather than sharing a house with other people.

Kate said her monthly expenses are about the same as they were when she rented in downtown Toronto. She enjoys having the whole place to herself rather than sharing a house with three others

Kate said she has a meter and pays the marina quarterly for electricity — an average of about CAD$105 ($77) a month.

She said she doesn’t have gas, but she has a water line connected directly to her house that supplies her with city water – which is included in her marina fees.

The house also benefits from parking, post office and access to a septic tank.

Kate said her previous big city lifestyle has completely changed for the better since moving.

However, moving on the water has its disadvantages.

Though Kate can’t imagine returning to the city anytime soon, she admits her new lifestyle isn’t that easy during the winter months.

Kate said her previous big city lifestyle has completely changed for the better since moving

Kate said: “Winter is harder.

“I have to make sure the ice around the pontoons doesn’t freeze and crush them, and I have to deal with frozen pipes once or twice in the winter.

“But after two years, I’m coping much better with the colder months.

“Every day I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful home, in an incredible place, and with such an amazing community.”