Lighthouse Living

Ever dream of living in a lighthouse? To have a unique home on the shore with a spectacular view? Well, with a little research and patience one can realize that dream.

The National Lighthouse Service was created by the first US Congress in 1789. The service brought all privately and municipally owned lighthouses under federal jurisdiction. In 1939, the US Coast Guard took the job of keeping a watchful eye over the national watchtowers. Today, the lighthouses across the nation are held by various agencies; some are them are also privately owned.

According to the Coast Guard, there are 594 lighthouses in the US, "in various states of repair". They are located on the east and west coasts, as well as on the Great Lakes and along the southern shoreline. Although they are maintained by the federal government, lighthouses are sometimes auctioned off when the government no longer desires the property. They are put into the hands of the General Services Administration (GSA) for auctioning.

The first sale is usually closed to the public. Only nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and other government agencies are allowed to bid on the property. If that sale is unsuccessful, then the public is allowed compete for ownership. All auctions are held through the GSA website, www.gsa.gov. Despite the public auction, the federal government still retains the right to restrict activities of the new owner. So, when researching the lighthouses for sale, it would be prudent to also look into the restrictions on that property. As with any other real estate transaction, knowledge of the property's restrictions can make living there much easier.