Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Saavedra.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Prior to COVID, we used to own a powder coating and metal restoration business. My mother owned a home on a canal in Hollywood, FL. We found out about the amazing opportunities Airbnb and short-term rentals provide and started looking to purchase a houseboat for that home.
Quickly we realized nobody was fabricating a modern unit using new construction methods. Our background in metal restoration gave us the expertise, and we knew a complete aluminum enclosure was the way to go.
We began production of our prototype unit in April 2020, that unit was recently featured on A&E Network’s new show, Living Smaller. The demand on Airbnb was amazing, and the return on investment was unheard of. That unit paid itself off in only 13 months’ time.
The design was highly celebrated and my mother had a new business venture. She managed and operated the unit as a full-time Airbnb, averaging $5,900 per month in the first year.
Knowing the houseboat market was prime for innovation, we decided to begin manufacturing in West Park, FL in 2021. Our first line of production units known as the Hauser Boat was a success. Clients from across the country flocked to our shop to review the boats, finish options, and start designing their own.
We are on our third production run currently and have continually improved our product. Our new units are clad in ACM panels, providing additional insulation and a weather-ready finish. The interior options and layouts have also improved and we are happy to offer more custom options than any manufacturer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all!
Our path has been littered with obstacles that we have slowly overcome. Most cities in South Florida are wary of liveaboards and are reminiscent of the good old days when derelict vessels were inhabited by the homeless and created floating shantytowns. That is no longer the case!
With the incredible rise in rents and real estate prices, new affordable living solutions must be created. We believe we are at the forefront of the floating home revolution. Throughout the United States, there are many houseboat and liveaboard communities, Key West FL is still a houseboat stronghold in South Florida, but one of the last.
We include sewage treatment devices on board all our boats to avoid sewage pump-outs and issues. We have the highest insulation available and run the boats on low-voltage electronics. Slowly, we are implementing an off-grid unit with solar and water desalination.
Although we have encountered hurdles, we are happy to say the experience has been priceless.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Modern Struktures is reinventing floating homes right here in South Florida.
Inspired by German design and architecture, we aim to provide all the comforts of home, in a compact and affordable floating home package. Our units contain the highest insulation available, are built from hurricane-rated materials and are without the continuous maintenance required in steel and fiberglass boats.
We are building houseboats for the future. Our units are designed to withstand extreme heat and cold temperatures, and UV exposure, and withstand rust and corrosion.
Our brand was born in Florida, and we design boats to withstand the harsh South Florida environment. Whether it be for Short Term Rentals, or to live full time. A Hauser Boat unit is right for you!
We have now expanded our product line to include Modular Land Models and will be releasing those in August. We are constantly looking to improve and make amazing partnerships with suppliers and investors. Our team has grown incredibly fast and we are getting rave reviews for both our water and land models.
In the near future, we expect a surge of first-time buyers who no longer can afford traditional larger homes, but are happy with living smaller. We are poised to capitalize on that demand and are allocating resources to being the first Certified Manufactured Home in the State of Florida.
What’s next?
We have begun our expansion into land models already. The land models will be available for pre-sale in August 2022. Our boats are currently on version 3.0 and we are ecstatic about the improvements. Most importantly our new ACM panel exteriors will make our units more futuristic than anything else available.
We look forward to expanding our product line even further with our new pontoon boats. They are designed for casual day trips and rental operations.
The units can be docked together to create a floating island of boats, with a ‘pool’ in the middle of the units. We believe yachts are not the only option for charters, our units will be more durable and designed specifically for large group gatherings on the bay or sandbars.
Our dealer network is starting to take shape, we have exported units to Cancun, Mexico, and San Pablo Island, Belize. We have been blessed with an amazing team and partners and are always looking to improve, feel free to reach out with any ideas or suggestions of your own.
Pricing:
- Our floating homes start at $150,000 turnkey
- Our land models start at $40,000 for 10×20
- Our pontoon boats will start at $45,000 for 24ft pontoon
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ModernStruktures.com
- Instagram: @modernstruktures
- Facebook: Modern Struktures
Image Credits
Modern Struktures
