seattle houseboats slip for sale

Investor Alert: Seattle Floating Home Moorage Site For Sale

Afloat In Seattle, Houseboat Financing, Houseboat Living, Houseboaters, Lake Union Loop, Portage Bay, Seattle Afloat, , , , ,

seattle houseboats slip for saleBuy a piece of the Lake in Seattle!

Not ready to jump all the way into Seattle floating home living, but still want to get your feet into the Seattle floating home water living real estate market?  This is a great opportunity to purchase a piece of Lake Union. Located in the eastern arm of Lake Union in Portage Bay, this Seattle houseboats slip currently leases to a tenant floating home, but the possibilities are endless. It’s a great investment on a wonderful co-op dock with a parking spot included!  You can purchase the slip as an investment, collect rental income, and own a coveted parking spot all while enjoying the investment benefits of Seattle real estate appreciation.

Portage Bay is a fabulous part of Lake Union!  You are surrounded by the tranquility of calmer waters, but never very far from anything you need.  Just down the block from the acclaimed and much celebrated grocery and eatery Little Lago, and surrounded by parks and beauty, this dock is on the Portage Bay Loop which is only slightly longer in length than Green Lake. Walk to Eastlake, University District, and more plus a quick commute to Amazon, University of Washington, and Children’s Hospital. Surrounded by multi million dollar properties and great spot between Lake Washington and the Puget Sound.  $435,000

Call/Text  Courtney Cooper for more information 206-850-8841 We are excited to share with you this wonderful Seattle waterfront lifestyle and all the perks of living Life Afloat In Seattle houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Houseboats Financing Available For This One

Condo Moorage, Gas Works Park, Houseboat Docks, Houseboat Financing, Lake Union Moorage, Lake Union News, Seattle Houseboats for sale, , ,

Gorgeous Seattle houseboat for sale and financing available on this one!

Seattle houseboats can have financing again!  This one has condominium owned moorage and a secured place on Lake Union.  Houseboats that are vessels or barges have been difficult to finance as of late, but luckily, there are financing options available now – let us know if you would like to see this one!

More details:

Gas Works Park Marina is a full time liveaboard marina with condo owned slips. Massive views from this sweet in-city retreat on the waters of Lake Union. Secured cabana on premise for additional showers and laundry. Dimensions of slip will fit up to a 33.5×10.5 houseboat or other vessel. Burke Gilman trail are just steps away for easy foot or bike access to Fremont, UW, and other favorite spots along the trail. A great investment!

Offered through Cooper Jacobs Real Estate and SeattleAfloat.com

Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841

houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Floating Homes: Why You Need The Security Of OWNED Moorage Vs. A Rented Slip

Co-op Moorage, Condo Moorage, Houseboat Docks, Houseboat Financing, Houseboat History, Lake Union Moorage, Lake Union Waterfront Homes, Leased Moorage, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle Houseboat Legislation, Seattle houseboats, Seattle waterfront homes, Westlake, Westlake Cove, , , , , ,

Why You Need The Security Of OWNED Moorage Vs. A Rented Slip

Don’t buy a floating home in a rented slip when there are Seattle floating homes for sale with the security of an owned slip!!!  Why on Earth would you want your investment to not be secure?  The city of Seattle has been dwindling down the Seattle floating community for a hundred years with regular new ordinances and it is more important now than ever to make sure that you are purchasing a floating home that is either on a fee simple dock, a condominium dock, or a co-op dock.  Leased slips are not secure and when you go to sell it, you will have trouble finding buyers who can obtain financing.  The few lenders who lend on Seattle floating homes don’t like to do it on leased docks unless there is a long term lease in place.  
 
Can the seller obtain owned moorage from their landlord?  Ask them!  
 

Here is an example of a Seattle floating home for sale that is in its secure OWNED slip: (UPDATE: THIS SEATTLE HOUSEBOAT IS NOT FOR SALE ANYMORE)

Enjoy life afloat in Seattle in one of the most private spots along Westlake: Large kitchen & wonderful sleeping loft, plus a great office. Newer roof and deck – Great access to Downtown, Queen Anne & Fremont, walking/cycling trails (including the Cheshiahud Loop) w/ all the perks of living on Lake Union!  If you are looking for Amazon Housing or other Housing near South Lake Union, then this is a GREAT Choice!

2764 Westlake Ave N Houseboat # D

seattle floating homesOffered at just $255,000

  •   (Co-op owned moorage is a very secure way to own the land that your  is in) Owned Lake Union Moorage Seattle floating home
  • LOW Taxes and dues (you will be shocked at the affordability compared to the warnings some might give you as to the affordability of a Seattle floating home)
  • LOW Mortgage Interest rates available (ask me for referrals for your Seattle Houseboat financing needs because it is different than a traditional mortgage in requirements and terms)
  • Sleeping loft with room to go up below city height restrictions.
  • extra room for office or second sleeping room
  • large bathroom can accomodate a full laundry suite
  • ridiculously large entertaining kitchen
  • Very friendly dock from my experiences there
  • Westlake Cove is quite protected from rougher waters in parts of Lake Union

This is a great Seattle floating home for sale – you can compare it to other Seattle houseboats for sale right now and see that this one is a GREAT BUY!  It is the most affordable Seattle floating home on the market with owned moorage.

Seattle Floating Homes Listings: Opportunities Galore

Co-op Moorage, Floating Homes Sales Data, Houseboat Docks, Houseboat Financing, Lake Union Moorage, Lake Union Waterfront Homes, Lee's Mooring, Northlake, Portage Bay, Roanoke Reef, Roanoke Reef, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, Seattle waterfront homes, Seattle Waterfront Living, Westlake, Westlake Cove, , , , , , , ,

Seattle Floating Homes Listings: Opportunities Galore Afloat:

If you are interested in being in the Seattle floating homes market right now, then a few interesting opportunities just popped up which offer all the best for the best Seattle Waterfront Living℠ you could possibly imagine.   There are cool floating houses in Portage Bay on Shelby and Boyer and also a better than end of dock Seattle floating home in Eastlake (think front row Roanoke Reef).

Recent Seattle Floating Homes SOLD:

2321 Fairview Ave E #10 in Eastlake listed for $519,500 and sold in 20 days for $505,000.  It is a 2 bedroom houseboat with 990 square feet according to the MLS listing and closed on 5/25/2012.

933 N Northlake Way #5 in Northlake  Listed and sold for $595,000 – 1 bedroom  Lee’s Mooring floating home on the market for 9 days and closed on 6/22/2012.

10 E Roanoke Reef #16 – only on the market for 8 days  – listed at $1,295,000 and sold for $1,250,000 – 2 bedrooms, closed on 6/18/2012.  Roanoke Reef in Eastlake (fee simple floating homes with garages…).

Here is the full sheet on the current Seattle floating homes market:

Seattle Floating Homes Market Update

Want a peek at the least expensive way to dip your feet into Lake Union floating homes:

2764 Westlake Ave N Houseboat # D

Offered at just $275,000  and don’t start to think there is a catch because there isn’t.

  • Owned Lake Union Moorage (Co-op owned moorage is a very secure way to own the land that your Seattle floating home is in)
  • LOW Taxes and dues (you will be shocked at the affordability compared to the warnings some might give you as to the affordability of a Seattle floating home)
  • LOW Mortgage Interest rates available (ask me for referrals for your Seattle Houseboat financing needs because it is different than a traditional mortgage in requirements and terms)
  • Sleeping loft with room to go up below city height restrictions.
  • extra room for office or second sleeping room
  • large bathroom can accomodate a full laundry suite
  • ridiculously large entertaining kitchen
  • Very friendly dock form my experiences there
  • Westlake Cove is quite protected form rougher waters in parts of Lake Union

seattle floating homes listings

At the base of Queen Anne! Enjoy life afloat in one of the most private spots along Westlake: Large kitchen & wonderful sleeping loft, plus a great office. Newer roof and deck – Great access to Downtown, Queen Anne & Fremont, walking/cycling trails (including the Cheshiahud Loop) w/ all the perks of living on Lake Union!  If you are looking for Amazon Housing or other Housing near South Lake Union, then this is a GREAT Choice!

UPDATE: THIS SEATTLE HOUSEBOAT IS NOT FOR SALE  – SOLD

This is a great Seattle floating home for sale – you can compare it to other Seattle houseboats for sale right now and see that this one is a GREAT BUY!   Seattle houseboats and slips for sale

Email:  courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Call or Text: 206.850.8841

Seattle Floating Homes Market Update May 2012

Floating Homes Sales Data, Houseboat Docks, Houseboat Financing, Lake Union Waterfront Homes, Lee's Mooring, Roanoke Reef, Roanoke Reef, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, The Old Boathouse, Ward's Cove, Wards Cove, Westlake Cove,

seattle floating homesSeattle Floating Homes Market Update  May 2012

Inventory is still low.  There are only SIX Seattle floating homes on the market right now.  They range in price form $350,000 for a 2 bedroom 1 bath 1000 square foot floating home in Westlake to $2,150,000 for a 2 bedroom 1.75 bath 2216 square feet Seattle floating home on Portage Bay with extra moorage for great Lake Union slip rental income potential.  In addition there are still some Ward’s Cove slips available if you are interested in new construction Seattle floating homes.

Other Seattle floating homes for sale are on docks located at 2821 Fairview Ave E, 933 N Northlake Way (lee’s Moorings), 2201 Fairview Ave E, and 1215 E Allison St – these are all in Westlake, Eastlake, and Portage Bay, as well as Northlake for the Lee’s Mooring dock.

Pending in Escrow:  There is a Roanoke Reef floating home for sale that is currently pending after being on the market for just 8 days (Roanoke Reef floating home owners, please take note:  If your home did not sell on that dock then it was not priced right or was not marketed correctly or in some cases, both.).  This was a 2 bedroom 2.5 bath 1931 square feet floating home listed at $1,295,000.

Latest SOLD Seattle floating homes: 2770 Westlake Ave N, Houseboat #5 – a 2 bedroom 1 bath Seattle floating home on the Old Boathouse dock.  It is 987 square feet and was listed for $475,000 and finally sold after 285 days for $407,000.  One thing to consider when looking at the price this one sold for versus the list price is the Aurora Bridge overhead which did make some buyers shy away.  It is interesting because stand on the dock for five minutes and you won’t even notice the bridge. Add to that the bonus this lucky buyer got was on eof the biggest floating “back yards” on Lake Union.

You can find the full NWMLS print out here for the current Seattle Floating Homes market, but if you have specific questions about Seattle houseboats for sale, please let me know.  I am happy to help. :

seattle floating homes market update

There are some new financing options out there for Seattle floating homes – if you want to get in to the market, you will need special financing, insurance, etc. I am happy to help you navigate.  Oh!  Also ask me about getting a sneak peek of my next Seattle floating home listing….   -Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841  courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Lake Union Moorage Slips In Demand

Eastlake, Floating Homes Sales Data, Houseboat Docks, Houseboat Financing, Houseboat History, Houseboat Living, Houseboat New Construction, Houseboat Open Houses, Houseboaters, Lake Union, Lake Union Loop, Lake Union Moorage, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, The Lake Union, Ward's Cove, Wards Cove

Lake Union Moorage Slips In Demand

Spring in Seattle has sprung and the Cooper Jacobs office is ringing with inqueries for space on Lake Union. Recent sales of moorage slips are in the range of $75,000 to $125,000 for slips around the lake excluding Wards Cove.  Due to the lack of inventory prices have remained strong and even appear to be increasing from the data we look at.

Wards Cove Listings  are the newest slips available on Lake Union and could be some of the last to ever be developed. There are only a few out of the original twelve available.  A slip at Wards Cove sold on December 28, 2011 which was listed for $885,000 and SOLD for $850,000.  Another was listed for $850,000 and SOLD for $682,000 in July 2011. One listed for sale at $735,000 SOLD for $685,000 on October 25, 2011. Houseboats on Lake Union and Portage Bay are two of Seattle’s strongest real estate markets. More houseboats are being designed and built for Wards Cove and the remaining slips are going quickly so don’t miss the boat! I personally see more and more Seattle houseboats around Lake Union being completely renovated. This is not only good for the local economy like the contractors, suppliers and banks lending the money but also a significant indication that these property values are holding strong.

Cooper Jacobs has a Westlake floating home coming on the market soon and if you want a sneak peak email Courtney at courtney@cooperjacobs.com or conatct her at 206/850-8841 to schedule a tour. It’s a great time to be in the know so if you want an evaluation of your property call Courtney Cooper. Recently, across ‘the pond’ from Wards Cove there was a slip at Gas Works Park Marina that was listed for sale by another real estate agency at $75,000 and sold for $70,000 in 16 days which in our opinion was underpriced. Don’t miss out!

Check out listings for Seattle houseboats at  Seattle Houseboats For Sale.

This Just In!!! Seattle Houseboat Lending Opens Up Again!

1 CommentHouseboat Financing, Seattle Houseboat Legislation, Seattle houseboats, ,

Just came across my desk this afternoon!  Seattle Houseboat lending is wide open again!

From Denise Carlson at Seattle Metropolitan:

We have great news to share……    We are back online with our houseboat lending program.  Below is the update we have made to our program guidelines.  

seattle houseboatsAug. 2011 update:  City of Seattle’s Shoreline Management plan is being revised and will most likely impact the houseboat community in some way.  Information is currently being gathered by the City.  The final plan will be drafted and submitted to the City Council for approval.  Once approved, it will then be sent to the Department of Ecology for their approval.  The estimated timeline looks to extend to year end 2011.  Details of the plan are uncertain at this time and pertain to various aspects of above water living, including the treatment of gray water and the % of ‘live aboards’ allowed around the lake.  There is uncertainty as to the impact on houseboat values any future changes in the SMP may create.  Given this uncertainty, SMCU has modified the requirements to the existing houseboat loan program to allow lending in this program as well as compensate for any potential negative impact as follows:

 

  • Minimum FICO score of 680 – no change
  • 45% maximum DTI – new
  • Minimum of 2 months documented reserves required on all transactions.
  • No other program details have been changed

 


You can reach Denise at 206-398-5581 if you have questions about houseboat lending.  Denise also does Seattle floating homes lending.  As always if you are interested in Seattle houseboats, please let us know – we would love to show you some of our favorites – both on the market and off.

 

Seattle Floating Homes For Sale: You Have A Dozen To Choose From In All Ranges

Eastlake, Houseboat Docks, Houseboat Financing, Lake Union, Lake Union Moorage, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, Westlake, , , ,

Seattle Floating Homes For Sale: You Have A Dozen To Choose From In All Ranges

Seattle houseboats

The Seattle floating homes inventory has gone up and some prices have changes since I wrote about what Seattle Houseboats for sale were available earlier in the month, so I thought I better come back and go through them again.  There are 12 Seattle floating homes for sale right now.  There are many more if you are looking for Seattle houseboats for sale in general (this includes vessels and barges as well as floating homes), but only twelve Seattle floating homes on the market currently. This is up from the last year so get out there and take a peek at the inventory.

*****************************

(We are happy to show you what ever you would like to see no matter who it is listed with!  You can call me at 206-850-8841.  You can also email us if that is easier – courtney@cooperjacobs.com.)

*****************************

Eastlake Floating Homes…

There are five Eastlake floating homes ranging in price from $199,000 for a floating home on a leased dock (does not own its moorage) to $3,450,000 for the Ferrari of Seattle houseboats on the Fairview Landings Dock.  In between, you have a few more of the norm priced at $485,000, $525,000, and $849,000.  We have our favorite among these, so let us show you what we think is the best of the best of Eastlake houseboats right now.

Westlake Floating Homes…

There are also five Westlake floating homes for sale right now! These range from $299,000 for a perfect starter Seattle houseboat with OWNED moorage and cheap dues (think better than condo prices and way lower on taxes and dues – ask me if you don’t believe me and I will show you the numbers) to $875,000 for a great Westlake floating home on the 2420 dock.  Other prices on the Westlake side?  $399,000 in Westlake Cove, $530,000 for another on the 2420 dock, and $850,000 for an END OF DOCK Seattle floating home (PS – If you are looking to live at the end of the dock on Lake Union, then you should know that these rarely go for under a million, so come see it!!!!).

Portage Bay Floating Homes…

There are two Portage Bay Floating homes for sale (one is creeping into Eastlake so you get the best of both worlds).  They are priced at $649,000 and $765,000 and include land and parking with one of them PLUS a land side cottage.

Again let us know if you want to see any of them or if you need help getting financed for a Seattle floating home – we have all the resources at our fingertips and are ready to help you get settled into a brand new lifestyle on the lake.  Summer is around the corner!

Seattle Houseboats Financing: Some Good Floating Homes Financing Rates Just Out

Houseboat Financing, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, , ,


Seattle Floating Homes Financing Just Got More Attractive:

Some of the latest rates I have seen are extremely attractive for Seattle floating homes financing! I am happy to share some details if you are interested in buying a floating home or looking at the financing for it.

Here are some of the details for I have seen for Seattle floating homes financing through local lenders:

  • 25 year amortization
  • 7 year term
  • 5.99% interest rate (6.49% standard rate)
  • 1.00% loan fee
  • Borrower to pay all closing costs
  • Maximum LTV-75%
  • Rates are subject to change without notice, but I can point you in the best direction if you need it.

Keep in mind that this financing is for floating homes only. Not all Seattle houseboats are floating homes. Seattle houseboats is the general term which covers Seattle floating homes, vessels, and barges. Vessels and barges are a different animal for financing often requiring a boat loan although there is at least one other option that recently became available in financing vessels.

You can get in touch with us via email and we can help direct you to the correct mortgage person if you have other Seattle houseboats needs: homes@SeattleAfloat.com

Seattle Floating Homes Buying Process: Elements of a Seattle Houseboat Inspection

Eastlake, Floating Home Maintenance, Houseboat Financing, Houseboat Inspection, Lake Union, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, , , , ,

Seattle Floating Homes Buying Process: Elements of a Seattle Houseboat Inspection

After finding your Seattle floating home, you will need to have both a regular home inspection – much like you do with land homes – and also an additional houseboat inspection to evaluate the floating portion of your home. Part of this will involve a diver going under your new floating home and evaluating floatation systems.

Elements of a floating home inspection – The length and width of your float will be measured and recorded. Corner elevations will be measured. This is measuring from the deck surface to the water level. Water depth will be measured and whether or not obstructions under the surface exist.

The houseboat inspector will look at and evaluate all of the decking of the floating home and also the connections to the home for the water, sewer, and electrical. They will look at how the floating home is connected to the dock by evaluating the spring lines, anchor chains, moorings, floatation, and house spacing.

Flotation – In addition to the newer concrete floats, the older log foundation floats are supplemented by floatation air barrels, and some Styrofoam billets – each providing various levels of lift. If for some reason when they measure the corner elevations and the floating home is not level, additional floatation may be added.

Looking at Log Foundation floating homes, the inspector will count the number of logs and describe their configuration. Then the Stringers will be counted and evaluated. Stringers are the support for the home itself from the log foundation. From time to time they do need to be replaced and should always be treated timbers.

Additional Seattle floating homes resources:

Seattle Houseboats See what Seattle floating homes are on the market now!

Seattle Floating Homes Financing Update 2010

Houseboat Financing, Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle houseboats, ,

Seattle Floating Homes Financing Update 2010:  You might think with all the other changing real estate financing guidelines that financing for floating homes would be hard to find, but not so. There are some great local bankers who specialize in just this type of home and the process is still pretty straightforward for a houseboat that is in the category of floating home.

With the changing lending environment, what is the range in programs available today for floating homes? According to Gary Olson at Banner Bank who is quite  a hard working guy and specializes in Seattle floating homes as well as doing a great job with your other real estate needs, the normal down payment for a floating home in Seattle would be a
minimum of 20%-30% or more depending on the size of the loan.  After the potential purchaser has been given a conditional loan approval, the bank then orders the additional items required by the bank to finance the floating home.  In this case, they order a dive inspection as well as a current appraisal of the home. The bank must then review all items and both the bank and the underwriter for Banner Bank must approve all items.

In addition to these expenses, there are of course title insurance fees, recording fees, etc. just as with traditional Seattle real estate.The floating home must be on a co-op or condo dock for the program and the loans from Gary at Banner are amortized over 25 years with a 15 year term (the rate the client starts out with is what they keep for 15 years).  Gary is a great resource for your Seattle floating homes financing!

Call Now ButtonWe are available to talk now.