A Guided Tour of Seattle Floating Homes and Houseboats Around The Lake From Your Resident Realtor

Seattle houseboats

A Guided Tour of Seattle Floating Homes and Houseboats Around The Lake From Your Resident Realtor

Thank you for your interest in this lifestyle and my neighborhood!  As a leading expert for sought after information about these unique homes, the number one question I receive in regards to these special floating properties is which type of floating home ownership is best.  My answer has always been that it really depends on who you are and what your own needs are. Every single one of these properties is special and unique.  No two can compare. Let’s tour them!  BTW – if you are interested in financing for any of the below, Krista Leans is the very best.  Message me @ 206-850-8841 and I will personally introduce you.  I am also here should you have any questions about Seattle floating homes, Seattle houseboats, moorage slips, and waterfront homes. 

Click on the addresses of the Seattle floating homes and Seattle houseboats below for the full details of each: 

Westlake 

2420 Westlake Ave N #4 – Pending in Escrow – we represented the buyer.

Quintessential lake living with no compromise in this meticulous floating home rebuilt from the logs up in 2006. Welcoming covered front porch with generous inside entry leads to a living room with a gas fireplace & doors out to a large waterside deck. Primary with access to deck, large lighted closet with organizers, & full bath. Beautiful hardwood staircase leads to the upper main level which offers an open floor plan. Here you will find gleaming hardwoods, sleek kitchen with loads of cabinets & stainless appliances, gas fireplace, half bath, & ample entertaining spaces. Enjoy views of Lake Union & across to Gas Works. On this level you also will find another deck & access to the rooftop deck with sweeping 280 degree views. Plus easy parking for your car or boat!
Eastlake

2369 Fairview Ave E #7

Seattle floating home for sale

Located on one of Lake Union’s premier docks, this is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with well thought out details! Three ensuite BRs + fourth flexible space offers a great den, office, or guest room. High quality finishes throughout & an abundance of storage. Gorgeous light fixtures, stainless appliances, & beautiful rich cherry cabinetry & flooring add to the ambiance. Views of downtown Seattle, Olympic mountains, & dancing light water reflections on the ceiling at every turn. Inside opens up seamlessly to the outdoors with decks off the main living space as well as the primary suite! Fantastic roof top for entertaining & extended outdoor living. Heating & cooling for year round comfort. Secure gated entry & parking, 30’ boat space.This is the one!

Eastlake – You will find incredible views and sunsets in Eastlake.

Eastlake floating homes welcome you with modern architecture, adorable craftsman homes, glassy windows, soaring ceilings, and warm woodwork. Enjoy views in all directions and the very best of Lake Union! City views and sunsets, boat parades, fireworks, and swimming. No matter which home you choose around Eastlake, you can almost always take in your coffee and watch the city wake up while being surrounded by nature’s best. If you are lucky enough to call this neighborhood home, you might find a difficult time leaving. Boat moorage available on many docks, too.

3141 Fairview Ave E #806

Adorable two bedroom 3012 Fuhrman Ave E #Bom houseboat in Eastlake moored in a private gated marina has all the nautical charm and views you have been looking for. Behind a very non assuming gate in Fairview, you will be surprised to find a secret garden at the entrance and a private water world. Travel down the far wooden dock back in time and to the end where this cutie bobs in Lake Union with uncompromised views of the ever changing boat parade. This is the perfect place to call home full time or just use as an in city retreat. Close to Amazon and Google and easy commute in all directions. Moorage rental includes water, garbage, and electricity plus the space your houseboat is moored in. One owner since built.

Portage Bay

3012 Fuhrman Ave E #B

Welcome home to lovely Portage Bay known for its serene beauty and easy commuting anywhere. This beautiful floating home has lots of light from vaulted ceilings & french doors out to your own deck. Functional lofty spaces and a great rooftop deck for taking in the boat parade. A well maintained home on a cute dock with a simple open concept style. Two bedrooms, a bath, a larger kitchen and outdoor spaces on the front & back. Great kayak launching and open space at the end for residents. Such a fantastic spot on the water just a few homes down from where Ivar Haglund himself lived – Plus right across from the shops in this beautiful neighborhood which is located on the Portage Bay Loop that connects to the Burke Gilman and Lake Union Loop.

Northlake

2401 N Northlake Way #E8

Nestled in the charming Seattle Marina just across from downtown, this adorable city registered houseboat has been cleverly remodeled. Thoughtful & creative living spaces with new gorgeous butcher block and cured epoxy countertops and the most adorable outside eating space with built in benches. Washer/Dryer combo in home, cool walk in closet designed under the bed with tons of extra closet space + it has AC! Walker & Cycler paradise & close to everything including Gas Works Park, Restaurants & shops, + the Burke-Gilman trail which leads to Fremont, U District and UW, plus the Light rail is just minutes away. Tie up an accessory boat & take off around the lake – adventure awaits, then come home to this amazing lifestyle.

2309 N Northlake Way  – Lake Union Landing

Become a member in this incredible new coop community on the lake! Slips are 55 feet long and on a finger pier or main dock for easy access and beautiful views! State of the art moorage for your houseboat or boat! Lake Union Landing is a beautiful new neighborhood over the water complete with benches & a Space Needle view! Enjoy sleek modern living in the middle of the city as you stroll down this wide tree lined concrete dock. Community amenities are being developed and will include storage for your water toys and bikes. Limited off street parking, too! Large moorage slip has beautiful views & fantastic location. Long term 50 year lease. Awesome community and over half sold! See gallery of the latest addition to this incredible Seattle houseboats community.

Generational Seattle Waterfront Opportunity

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Multiple habitats adorn this sensational Seattle waterfront property. Upland home is situated on stately lot with a beach cottage at the water’s edge and a dock out to the end flanked by floating homes and moorage income opportunities. We are Seattle waterfront homes and Seattle floating homes experts. Let us know how we can help you. SeattleAfloat.com. 206-850-8841

Portage Bay waterfront property available! Once in a lifetime opportunity to stake a large claim in this spectacular piece of Portage Bay’s sought after sunny Gold Coast.  Extremely rare and special income producing waterfront property is a great investment as is, but also offers flexible future uses.  Gorgeous views of Portage Bay, UW, and the Cascades, plus a unique look through the Montlake Cut for an endless boat parade. Drive through driveway, covered carport, and large gardening space lead to the main house which is a duplex and has show stopping views. 

Easy to see why this Portage Bay beauty is so sought after in its current listing. Very rare and very beautiful property will likely be snapped up in first week of the current listing. Listed by Courtney Cooper Neese.

Meander down the waterside pathway and make a stop at the waterfront beach house, and then walk the 100 +/- foot dock and marina portion which offers deep water lake moorage and an incredible lifestyle for water enthusiasts. There are three floating home slips and two of the three floating homes are included in the sale. The third slip is the smallest and provides rental income from the tenant floating home. Lastly, there is a fourth slip for additional end of dock moorage opportunities. Offered at $5,890,000

If you have been looking for the perfect Portage Bay waterfront property or even at other Seattle waterfront homes for sale, you should consider touring this one. Feel free to reach out to me and I am happy to provide you with more info. I also have 23 years experience and live on the water so I am happy to walk you through any questions or details. If you are interested in buying or selling a Seattle area waterfront home, please consider calling or texting me. Courtney Cooper Neese 206-850-8841. courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Catching Up With My Seattle Floating Home Neighbors

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Hello! Seattle Floating Homes and Seattle Houseboats Neighbors! Hoping this finds you well in the new year! My family and I are very grateful to have you as neighbors. I greatly appreciate that you keep choosing me when it comes time to buy or sell your homes. It is truly my honor.

Besides selling a lot of Seattle houseboats and floating homes, there were a few big life changes in 2022!

  • Married! You may have seen my name change on the signs: Courtney Cooper -> Courtney Cooper Neese. At age 50, my prince charming finally found me. He came in the form of a tall and handsome home inspector named Joe who sponsored a top 20% real estate broker lunch, that I was featured at. And.. the good news: he loves floating homes, too.
  • Joe came with a spunky and beautiful daughter so London and I gained not just one family member, but two!
  • Lastly, My daughter got married, too! On the last day of the year, we hiked in the snow and got to experience a beautiful fairytale wedding that only Madison could have come up with. My new son in law is very special.

Gratitude.

This floating community is like no other! While many admire us from the outside, one really does have to live here to truly understand our various intricacies! Each dock is so different and each geographic section of our community is different as well, but we all exhibit the same fortitude no matter which side of the lake we are on. I long admired Seattle’s floating homes community and thought I understood it before I lived here, but it wasn’t until I was highly involved and living in it that a true understanding was born. Very grateful to have had the chance to work with incredible buyer and seller clients through all this. It’s more about you rather than the numbers. Thank you for always wrapping your arms around me.

– Courtney Cooper Neese, Seattle Afloat

Are You Interested In The Lake Union Market?

seattle houseboats
Westlake Floating Home For Sale – Booking showings now. $1,895,000
Lake Union Landing – Over 50% sold, it has been my pleasure to launch this beautiful coop and I am so thankful for the quality builds going in here.
Seattle afloat represented the Seller and Buyer for this beauty. Buyers had lost out on at least two other homes and are so happy to have found their perfect spot on the lake.
Represented the Seller and the Buyer on this beautiful Portage Bay waterfront home that is part of the Stillwater floating home coop community that Seattle Afloat launched.
Cute 2 bedroom Eastlake Seattle Houseboat has great dock position. Rented moorage. $395,000
Gorgeous houseboats are being built one at a time by FullerStyle Houseboats at Lake Union Landing. I am so grateful to be their exclusive listing broker!

Rain Rain Go Away

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Seattle Houseboats and Rain on the Lake

Seattle Afloat! Looking forward to working with you!

Even with what seems like an unusually long rainy season, Seattle houseboats are changing hands – both on and off the market. I know of at least three Lake Union floating homes in escrow that never hit the MLS at all – including one on the 2025 Fairview dock in Eastlake, one in Portage Bay, and one in Westlake. I have heard rumblings of others. If you are a houseboats buyer, please reach out. Let me know what you are looking for and I might be able to get you an opportunity as well. I live here and I have my ear “to the ground” as to what is happening on the lake. I know of quite a few sellers who are in fact interested in selling their home should they receive an offer, but would otherwise not list their homes in the MLS. This is why it’s important to work with someone who actually LIVES in the community.

Three out of five floating homes for sale in the MLS are pending. Three out of five are being represented on at least one side by Courtney Cooper Neese at Seattle Afloat. Call me if you are interested in buying or selling on the lake. I look forward to helping you 206-850-8841

Seattle Floating Homes in the MLS

As to the Seattle floating homes that are on the market, I was involved on at least one side or the other of the three that are pending in escrow in the MLS. There are two others that are active in the MLS – both on the Log Foundation docks and both listed by other brokers. If you are a seller, then please reach out. I know what the current buyer pool looks like at any given moment and I look forward to maximizing your return. That is because if you win, I win. I have a personal vested interest in our home values because…I live here. I am also really excited to talk to you about the market!

Seattle Floating Homes Market Outlook For The Second Half of 2022

Bottom line is we are all looking forward to more sun, but it hasn’t slowed down our market. Our neighborhood has limited opportunities each year and an overall cap in the number of floating homes in the city. This will make values steadily climb as long as the buyer pool holds. You can call or email me – or text – anytime. 206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats Just Listed: Eastlake Legacy Floating Home

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Seattle houseboats
Seattle houseboats offer great channel views and beautiful light and scenery.

Seattle houseboats come in many different shapes and sizes and you can find them in various spots along the shores of Lake Union and Portage Bay, but we love it when we are able to represent a true legacy floating home on the lake. Located in one of the most established Seattle floating homes coop docks on Lake Union, this vibrant spot will relax and excite you every time you come home.

From the listing of this Seattle Floating Home Just Listed by Seattle Houseboats Specialists Courtney at Seattle Afloat:

Another legacy Seattle floating home is available for the first time in decades. Located on one of the acclaimed Log Foundation docks in the southern most part of Eastlake, this home is a huge opportunity! Awesome light filled vaulted ceilings and spaces offer just the right amount of openness for modern living. Enjoy the charm and intimacy that comes with this amazing lifestyle which is like no other. Live surrounded by lapping water peacefully, yet in the middle of the city, plus how cool is it that you can kayak or SUP right from your home? Take a swim channel side in the warm summer evenings or cozy up for the winter. No matter the season, this house is the place. $799,995

Listed by Seattle Houseboats Specialists at Seattle Afloat

Seattle Houseboats Open Houses:

Open all weekend – today 12-3 and tomorrow 2-4!

Interested in selling your Seattle Houseboat or Floating home?

If you own a Seattle floating home in Eastlake, Westlake, Northlake, or Portage Bay and are interested in seeing what your home might be worth in this market?  There is always a great demand for Seattle waterfront homes and Seattle floating homes and each one is so different so we have buyers waiting to see what comes on the market that suit them! Let us know if you have one they can look at! 

Please email us directly or call/text us to speak with one of us: houseboats@cooperjacobs.com 206-472-1005  We are Seattle waterfront and floating homes experts and here to help you. 

Another Portage Bay Floating Home SOLD by Seattle Afloat!

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Portage Bay floating home just closed in escrow! Seattle Afloat represents another lucky buyer and seller!

Seattle floating homes inventory is down so it’s no wonder we got so much activity on this one! Let us know if you are interested in buying or selling a floating home or waterfront home in Seattle. Lots of options wither way and we look forward to speaking with you about your situation. We just closed on this beautiful spot on the lake. Two bedrooms and 1.75 baths with gorgeous high ceilings and tall view windows. This is one of the floating homes in the Shelby Street area that look right up the Montlake Cut with a perfect front row seat to Opening Boat Day!

Welcome to the Gold Coast of peaceful Portage Bay! Incredible light filled end of dock floating home with views across the bay and straight up the Montlake Cut. Enjoy opening boat day from your front row seat or hop in your boat and head to Ivar’s. Enjoy living on the 3.2 Portage Bay Loop and just steps from neighborhood favorite Little Lago. This beauty has 2 levels of living with timeless wooden details and tall beamed ceilings. Large picture windows and sunny decks take in the constant boat parade. Open floor plan and warm fireplace plus forced air heating. Easy commute in all directions and fantastic waterfront living. Price includes home only.

Feel free to reach out for more info on this or other opportunities on the lake. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com. call/text 206-850-8841 We are floating home experts and I live on the lake in a floating home. I look forward to talking to you more!

Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness Today we bought a floating home via the specialist expertise of Seattle Afloat. I think the best word to describe the experience is awesome. We now have the beautiful, design-centered home that matches our style at an affordable price… surrounded by an amazing community. Our home now floats …with an amazing sun-deck view of the Seattle skyline. We bought it while living on the East Coast during a pandemic – challenging! But it all worked with their successfully maneuvering us through the process. What I like most about them is I could truly trust them – and with that trust and their understanding of the “essence” of our quirky needs…we got an amazing property today.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ S Green

Welcoming A New Neighbor To Portage Bay

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Portage Bay is such a lovely corner of the city and my favorite Seattle floating homes neighborhood on the lake. I admit that I am partial in a big way to Portage Bay. I live here. Where else can you be nestled in on the lake alongside some of the most historic homes in Seattle, and neighbors with not only one but two well regarded yacht clubs, Seattle Yacht Club and Queen City Yacht Club?

Portage Bay has incredible sunrises and although we are looking mostly east, the sunsets expand over our skies here, too. We get fantastic sunny days from the south and despite having some of the most incredible gatherings for opening boat day and the Christmas Ship finale, we have the reputation of being “Peaceful Portage Bay”. It’s always exciting for me to welcome a new neighbor into my neighborhood. I got to do just that yesterday as we sold another floating home on the lake. This time in the eastern arm of Lake Union called Portage Bay on the floating home dock just next door to the one I get to call home.

Obviously I love Portage Bay, but I also want to highlight this incredibly special floating home our new neighbor is buying. The ceilings are at least eight feet high and have gorgeous sturdy exposed beams. Unfortunately, most people initially miss these beautiful beams and the warm wooden wrapped windows and doors because they walk in and the view is one of those that just stops you in your tracks. There isn’t another view in Seattle like you will see in Portage Bay. It is an interesting mix of looking at an intimate bay filled with rowers and a beautiful boat parade. Beyond the water is the full waterfront side of University of Washington including the Husky Stadium across the way combined with Montlake Bridge in the front of the Cascade Mountains. To the left is the new Portage Bay Park and beyond that is the University Bridge. I once heard it described as a four bridge view for some end of dock floating homes in Portage Bay because they could see not only the University and Montlake Bridges, but also the 520, Ship Canal Bridges.

If you can manage to tear your eyes away from the view, you will see that you are in a large living room with a cozy fireplace and an open kitchen overlooking it. The entry is welcoming and there is an open staircase leading upstairs. There is a sleeping space and bathroom on both levels. There are also view decks on both levels. You are at the end of a long dock and it feels like you are on your own island. Yet in the city. It’s breathtaking.

Please let me know if you are interested in finding your special place on the lake. We have incredible floating home neighborhoods in Seattle and I would love to introduce you to my neighborhood. Westlake is divine and Eastlake is so cool. Many people don’t know that there is even a dock in Northlake in Fremont! And Portage Bay. – Courtney

You can reach me at 206-850-8841 or at CourtneyCooper@kw.com

Lake Union Landing Latest News!

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Represented by Seattle Afloat: Lake Union Landing Slip 1 and beautiful Seattle houseboat Pearl closed in escrow for full price yesterday.

Seattle Houseboats for sale in the MLS: Here’s what was said about the beautiful Pearl houseboat in the listing that we put on:

Lake Union Landing and FullerStyle present to you Pearl, a stunning 2021 houseboat and the latest addition to this sought after co-op owned community. Pearl has a gorgeous nautical curved bow with windows placed strategically to incorporate natural light and views. She measures 36×14 and is fully equipped with high end and custom finishes plus city water and sewer. Luxurious design and uncompromised spaces will leave you pinching yourself daily wondering if you really live here. Stroll down the gated and private wide tree and bench lined dock boulevard like no other and enjoy the sights and sounds of lake living. Shared off street parking and steps to Burke Gilman Trail, local eateries, and UW campus. In city paradise!

Lake Union Landing is a beautiful tree lined wide boulevard style dock over Lake Union with full skyline views and a front row seat to all the action and boat parades on the water. It is like nothing you have seen to date in the city and full of surprises at every corner. This dock is incredibly special, but adding to this is the stellar designed and built houseboats by FullerStyle making Lake Union Landing Seattle’s premier new dock for floating residences. We are 50% sold now and slips are released on a limited basis. We have three currently available. Let us know if you would like more info. call/text 206-850-8841 or email houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Houseboats & Floating Homes In The Freeze

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Leah from Aqua Dive using a heat gun and a kayak as a work float to thaw part of a hard to reach waterline.

Happy New Year! Well, the “Seattle freeze” has been alive and well this week. All week temperatures dropped and it snowed in Seattle. When it snows on a floating home or houseboat, the biggest concern is usually removing the excess weight off the top and decks of your home as they were not built to withstand the additional load. Snow loads can make them top heavy and tipsy or even worse – sink them if the floatation is not adequate.

This week, though, the snow seemed lighter in weight than usual, and the bigger concern was the ice and frigid temperatures. It’s customary for everyone on the dock to drip their faucets during cold snaps. This one caught a lot of us off guard and many people were either out of town or simply forgot to run their faucets. The result was Monday morning most of the lake awoke with no running water.

As we warm up, it’s important to recognize what worked and what didn’t so that we can better prepare for the next cold snap.

The freeze was real!

Running water prevents pipes from freezing as the water is moving. Many docks are equipped with valves at either end so that the water flow can be turned on and off should the need arise to have running water. Individual houses should still run their water so that the connecting pipes between the floating homes and the dock do not freeze.

My dock does not have this valve system, but we have historically been able to keep our water flowing to our houseboats just by running our faucets. We have 19 floating homes on our dock and 2/3 of them were frozen in the morning including my own. I reached out to three vendors at 6AM and Aqua Dive answered my please for help. They spent the entire day unfreezing the majority of our homes and getting us back up and running. We were fortunate because our main line did not break, but surrounding docks had both frozen and broken pipes.

Aqua Dive spent the next few days working tirelessly to make sure my neighborhood was with water. We are very grateful for that and I learned a lot in the process.

Aqua Dive working on the connections and frozen pipes at The Shelby Dock in Portage Bay.

As a result, we are changing the way we do things so I thought it might be good to list some tips for keeping your water running in your floating home or houseboat during a cold snap.

  • Heat tape under the insulation on connectors between dock and house – Our floating homes only have our pipes insulated and what we found was once they were frozen the insulation actually KEPT THEM FROZEN. The better method is to install heat tape – specifically thermally activated heat tape which is an electric cable and aluminum tape that warms the pipes when the temperature drops below 37 degrees. The heat tape is installed under the insulation. It isn’t a guaranteed method and faucets should still be dripped, but it does warm the water enough to keep it flowing and then as a result it adds extra protection to the mainline.
  • Hot water and/or heat gun warming – We used both as well as Aqua Dive’s giant warming blower. With no running water, how do you boil water? The answer is that you are surrounded by water. Boil lake water in pots and pour on water line around and connected to your house. This was the best method we found for quick thawing and the dock neighbors mobilized and helped each other. If you are going to use a heat gun, just be careful not to light the insulation on fire and go easy. It can be too hot. I also saw many people using hairdryers to warm pipes, but the danger of hairdryers over water prevents me from recommending that. I saw one clever homeowner using his wife’s Dyson hairdryer to thaw out their pipes in the Mallard Cove floating homes neighborhood.
  • Community and Dock Reminders – This might be the most important for prevention. At least it would have prevented much of our frozen pipes on my dock. Email your neighbors, your dock, facebook group messages, text messages, etc. Our dock has an A-frame sign that we (forgot to) put out to remind people to turn on faucets at night and throughout the cold temperatures.
  • Home temperatures – Keep your thermostat turned up during cold snaps to warm the pipes on the inside of the house, too. Open your bathroom and kitchen cabinets under the sinks to let the heat in. Periodically run warm or hot water – or the dishwasher. This helps keep the sewer line warm, too.
  • Dripping may not be enough – The owner of one of the few floating homes on our dock that had running water was very proud to proclaim that the real trick is to not DRIP the faucet, but to run a steady low stream. Also, if you are only going to run one faucet then run the one furthest from the dock, but it is preferable to run all of them on a low stream for best results.
  • Creative work floats – We don’t have a work float on our dock, so Leah with Aqua Dive used my kayak to work on my waterline along my house which I could not otherwise reach. We are a creative bunch so be creative! But don’t fall in!
  • Prioritize help and come together – Help your neighbors with what they need. Check on their homes for them. Work together, and get the homes with elderly, children, and medically challenged up and running first. Offer the good people that work on your homes a bathroom and drink or a warmth break. Aqua Dive was able to use our dock cart to move all of their gear up and down docks all around us and that helped them be more efficient. It is all about taking care of each other and that is what this community is so good at.

Temps are warming up, and we are excited about the new year on the lake!

Lake Union Landing’s unique perspective

After the last week, my love for this community is reinforced and I am so happy to be a part of it. Seattle floating homes owners and houseboaters are a group of hardy and loving individuals and I will be forever grateful for all of you and the hardworking divers that help us. Both Seattle Dive and Aqua Dive were running around my little Gold Coast of Portage Bay this week and also around Eastlake and Westlake. We are so lucky to have them.

Despite the freezing weather, we were showing Lake Union Landing’s newest gem, “Pearl” repeatedly. In below freezing temps on the last day of 2021, this beautiful houseboat by FullerStyle received an offer and went into escrow.

We are so very excited about 2022 and our community is in demand now more than ever. Let us know if you are interested in a valuation. Lots of buyers out there. We are highly networked into the community and can help with all steps of the process. We have excellent references, too. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com 206-850-8841

Seattle Houseboats: Pearl In Lake Union Landing

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Introducing Pearl at Lake Union Landing – Just launched. Call, text, or email for more information on this lovely Seattle houseboat or for your private showing. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com 206-850-8841

Lake Union Landing introduces Pearl!

Pearl is the latest in beautiful Seattle houseboats to reside in Lake Union Landing! Enjoy all the perks of this community now!

Lake Union Landing and FullerStyle present to you Pearl, a stunning 2021 houseboat and the latest addition to this sought after co-op owned community. Pearl has a gorgeous nautical curved bow with windows placed strategically to incorporate natural light and views. She measures 36×14 and is fully equipped with high end and custom finishes plus city water and sewer.

Luxurious design and uncompromised spaces will leave you pinching yourself daily wondering if you really live here. Stroll down the gated and private wide tree and bench lined dock boulevard like no other and enjoy the sights and sounds of lake living. Shared off street parking and steps to Burke Gilman Trail, local eateries, and UW campus. In city paradise!

  • 2 bedrooms
  • 1 bath
  • utility room with stacking washer and dryer
  • functional reverse floor plan
  • main level deck
  • roof top deck
  • gated dock
  • become a member of the coop owned moorage

Call or text Courtney 206-850-8841 or email houseboats@cooperjacobs.com for more information or a private showing.

Luxury On The Lake

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Discovering the Gold Coast of Portage Bay Lifestyle

There are only around 520 Seattle floating homes on the lake. They are dispersed around Lake Union with the largest concentration being in Eastlake. The next largest floating community is located in the eastern arm of Lake Union. We call it Portage Bay and it is a very little known secret of us houseboaters. Those who live in Portage Bay (myself included) choose to stay there for a number of reasons.

My section of Portage Bay is in the south end of the bay with incredible sunrises and peeks at the beautiful sunsets, too. We are surrounded by the largest yacht clubs and some of the most beautiful land homes I have ever seen in Roanoke Park. We have a 3.2 mile walking loop using two bridges and we have Roanoke Park and Montlake Park. We have Little Lago, a neighborhood treasure. We also have Johnny Moe’s pizza. If all this wasn’t enough, then consider the fact that you can walk a quarter of a mile over the hill to enjoy all that Eastlake has to offer in the way of shopping, restaurants, and bars.

Stillwater Luxury Floating Home Available In Portage Bay For The First Time

Enjoy your efficient and warm fireplace while watching the boat parade all around you.

Portage Bay is simply divine to live in and so while I consider it an absolute luxury just to live in the Portage Bay floating home community, I also must highlight the homes in which I find to be true luxury all over the lake. We happen to have an incredibly luxurious floating home listed right now! Every touch and every corner has been well thought out for the ultimate in luxury living on the absolute Gold Coast section of Portage Bay. When I say Gold Coast, I am referring to the sunniest portion of Portage Bay that is drenched in southern light much of the day. Many people think Portage Bay is not very sunny, but that isn’t the case here.

2816 Boyer Ave E, Slip C

Let us know if you would like to see this stunner – four levels of living including a roof top and a state of the art basement under the water line. By the way if you want to talk about acoustics under the water while watching a movie, please reach out. This provides the most incredible music listening or movie watching experience around. It’s also a very peaceful place to take a nap. In fact, all of Portage Bay is considered more peaceful than the rest of the lake. While we are in the middle of the city, we have a very interesting combination of calm remote like living and convenient in city living. It’s an escape and city living.

Reach out to us if you would like more information. We invite you to come experience life on the lake and let us know what questions you have. This is a fantastic opportunity to change your lifestyle in luxury. We have been talking to a lot of people lately that want to live a more peaceful and therapeutic life and the lake offers this while not giving up the convenience of the city. – Courtney. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com 206-850-8841

Just one of the four levels on this home in the water – and surrounded on three sides plus room for your play boat and a garage space for your car (with electrical).

We specialize in lifestyles.

Living on a floating home is a definite lifestyle. We are also experts on Seattle waterfront homes, Seattle’s many waterside neighborhoods, Puget Sound Islands including Bainbridge Island homes for sale. We can also help you with fun over the mountain places like Suncadia and Roslyn homes for sale. Washington residents love to work and play hard and we are surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty. Trust us to offer you direct and non-biased sound investment advice when looking for your place to live and play. (Just email or call/text me for more info 206-850-8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com We are happy to help!)

Seattle Floating Homes Living Afloat

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Seattle floating homes living
This incredible state of the art luxury property offers Seattle floating homes living at its best with a roof top, garage parking (with electrical charging), a basement for movie night or a gym, and parking for your companion boat! Nestled in the Portage Bay and drenched with Southern light. $3,600,000. 206-850-8841 for a private showing.

There can be many reasons for choosing to live on Lake Union, but Seattle floating homes living comes in many styles and price points. I am talking about Seattle floating homes, not Seattle houseboats in this article. We used to call them all Seattle houseboats, but a few people on the lake decided that they wanted to make it very confusing so now we have Seattle houseboats (or the ones with the FOWR plaques), Seattle floating homes, and barges. Either way, no matter what type of Lake Union lifestyle you choose, you will be living your best life because there is nothing like living on that lake. Being in the middle of the city, but also surrounded by nature is truly the best.

Seattle floating homes living in particular for me is the best – I love the fact that I am floating on water. but also as a water baby at heart, the proximity to all the things I want to do is highly optimized. Living on one of the 520 Seattle floating homes means that I can jump in the lake whenever I want. I love boating and living on Portage Bay means that I can head off to Lake Union or Lake Washington in a breeze. Docking up to one of the many waterfront restaurants is one of the true luxuries in life that the lake affords you that – especially if you can find a floating home with a boat slip. We know of a few so let us know how big your boat is!

We are Seattle Afloat and your absolute source for the lake as Seattle floating home experts. We are happy to share this lifestyle with you! It is truly like nothing else and no one has more stories than us. Twenty years on the lake and are highly networked in. I love living in a Seattle floating home and we love working and playing on them. Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841

seattle houseboats

Sold! Portage Bay Jewel Box

Seattle houseboats
End of Dock
Cooper Jacobs at Seattle Afloat represented the buyer and seller for a combined $5,200,000 of floating home production on the lake.

We are pleased to announce that this gorgeous gemstone of a floating home has closed successfully in escrow!

Not only were we chosen among other brokers for the task of marketing and listing this beautiful home, we also were able to successfully bring a buyer. We are so excited by the outcome and appreciative of our seller for recognizing would love to hear about your dreams on or off the lake.

Portage Bay End Of Dock Floating Home Closes In Escrow

Want to know more about this one or other Seattle floating homes? We listed it for $2,500,000. The seller was impressed with not only our knowledge and experience in the floating home community, but also with our marketing materials. We were able to bring a buyer to the table within a week and ended up selling this property for $2,600,000.

Here’s a little more about this one: Sought after end of dock masterpiece offers the very best in locations & show stopping views from its gleaming floor to ceiling windows. Open spaces & comfortable Ipe wrap around decking make this a fantastic place to entertain or settle in with a good book. Solar remote-controlled skylights bathe this home in natural light and have electric auto rain sensing capabilities as well as screens. There are remote control black out blinds, too! Incredibly well run and pet friendly condo dock checks all the boxes w/ easy parking, beautiful landscaping, on shore storage, plus ownership of the dock to the north for guest & temporary moorage. There is truly nothing else in city that compares to coming home to this lifestyle & exciting water parade.

More info or a private consultation from Seattle floating home experts?

We are happy to help you! Call me, Courtney Cooper – I live and work on the lake and have over 20 years of experience. 206-850-8841 or email houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

luxury floating home

Portage Bay New Construction Oasis

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Portage Bay luxury floating home
Portage Bay New Construction Luxury Home: Just listed and offers four levels of incredible living.

This incredible new construction home is a Portage Bay water oasis. It was built recently with all state of the art systems and flotation. It’s extremely rare to find a Portage Bay newer construction floating home that has views and is surrounded by water on three sides. It’s even harder to find a newer floating home that checks all the boxes including rooftop, boat slip, garage parking, and a basement. Yes, you read that correctly. It has a basement. And a garage!

Loaded with upgrades that you will only see in the most stately of homes on land or water, this Portage Bay new construction home is a luxury stunner. The bedrooms are on the water level so that you can lull yourself to sleep with the lapping water. There is great deck access at this level to access your boat or take in a dip in the hot tub after a trip out in the kayak or SUP. The main bedroom closet and bathroom suite will blow you away with high end finishes and enough room for all your shoes and clothing.

This was one of the last three Portage Bay new construction floating homes to have a basement area. The basement offers a flexible amount of peaceful underwater and quiet space. If you have ever wanted a large theatre room with perfect acoustics then this might be the place. As it currently sits, there is a large family/rec room, large craft/storage room for all your gear, laundry and half bath, plus a cool organization system at the base of the stairs. There is a hatch at this level as well for coming up to the deck directly.

Let’s go back up the stairs of this Portage Bay masterpiece! Upstairs, the modern but comfortable floor plan is incredible with open air living right out to the water facing deck. The gleaming kitchen is a cook’s dream with upscale appliances and views of the lake all around. Enjoy meals in the large dining area or warm up in the living room with sleek fireplace. There’s another casual sitting area on the other side of the kitchen that is a little more private with a half bath on this level off of that area.

If you happen to be extremely popular and have more guests than this large level will allow, then have them go up the wide staircase to the expansive roof top deck. This rooftop is the largest we have seen and has space for dining, lounging, playing, plus a cool firepit.

Except for the basement which offers peace and solitude, the views are incredible from every other level of this Portage Bay new construction home in different ways. At the water level and upstairs you will be drenched in reflective light off of the water. The water level views are of the surrounding smaller parts of the bay and largely south facing. In addition, you can see out to the main part of the bay through the channel. Upstairs, you can see the same views from higher up plus larger main Portage Bay views. You will feel like you are on top of the world as this Portage Bay new construction home was built to take in the views all around and in all directions. Bridge to bridge, you will be mesmerized by the Seattle Yacht Club sailing lessons, or just watching the constant boat parade from the two neighboring yacht clubs.

Location wise, you are in the Gold Coast portion of Portage Bay, considered to be by far the best by many as it offers the very best in commuting by car and boat. It is a quiet little walkable neighborhood and nestled in between 520 and I-5 by car and Lake Washington and the rest of Lake Union by boat. If you are an avid boater then your access to both Lake Washington and the canal and Puget Sound beyond the Ballard Locks is optimized. Portage Bay is just across the water from the University of Washington and not far from University Village. The neighborhood has a couple little shops, but mainly the locals love Little Lago. This is an oasis in itself and offers the very best in quick grocery items as well as espresso, a gelato bar, fresh bakery items including quite possibly the world’s best chocolate chip cookies in three packs, and a small menu with a big punch. You can order breakfast, artisan hand made sandwiches, creative salads, and wood fired pizza which gently spreads its sweet sent through out the neighborhood.

This is one of those Seattle floating homes that won’t change hands again and will end up being a sought after legacy home. It has room for all your toys and your entire lifestyle with no compromises. It’s the perfect in city retreat or full time residence and offers the very best in Seattle waterfront homes living. $3,850,000

Please feel free to call for more info on this Portage Bay new construction floating home. I am happy to give you a private tour, too, and tell you why I love living on a floating home in Portage Bay. – Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 – I’m happy to help you buy or sell your floating home or just talk about the current market. I appreciate you.

End of Dock

Portage Bay’s Jewel End Of Dock Floating Home Is Available!

Seattle houseboats
Front row never ending parade of boats as the dramatic backdrop of your lifestyle here.

Looking for end of dock Seattle houseboats? Hard to find and rarely available end moorage in Portage Bay is available for a limited time! There are less than 75 end of dock floating homes in the city and the demand has increased greatly for this incredible lifestyle. This particular home is located in the Gold Coast portion of Portage Bay and was once the long time residence of famed Northwest Jeweler Norman Turgeon. It has also been the celebrated home of just a few others. With its row of twenty plus foot tall trees on one side and no homes on either side, it has been often described as an island.

Situated like a private island, Portage Bay’s acclaimed jewel end of dock floating home is available.

Sought after end of dock masterpiece offers the very best in locations & show stopping views from its gleaming floor to ceiling windows. Open spaces & comfortable Ipe wrap around decking make this a fantastic place to entertain or settle in with a good book. Solar remote-controlled skylights bathe this home in natural light and have electric auto rain sensing capabilities as well as screens. There are remote control black out blinds, too! Incredibly well run and pet friendly condo dock checks all the boxes w/ easy parking, beautiful landscaping, on shore storage, plus ownership of the dock to the north for guest & temporary moorage. There is truly nothing else in city that compares to coming home to this lifestyle & exciting water parade. $2,500,000

“If you are interested in seeing this incredible end of the dock floating home in Portage Bay, please reach out. We are happy to tell you more about it and also share with you our incredible lifestyle on the lake. I live and work here and love it so much.”

Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor and floating home resident. 206-850-8841

Seattle Afloat was chosen as the exclusive representatives of this incredible floating masterpiece. You can reach them at houseboats@cooperjacobs.com or 206-850-8841

Portage Bay Dreams Here

Seattle houseboats
Two levels of living, views, parking, boat moorage, and… NO DUES!

Three bedrooms in one of the coolest floating home communities in Portage Bay!

At the end of this quiet dead end street is a very special floating home. Updated kitchen with granite counter tops, subway tile, double oven, and more. The very generous owners suite has a groovy soaking tub w/ a view and updated half bath. We love the extra room off the laundry room, perfect to remodel or keep as storage. Exceptional deck for private dining and hanging out then build a fire in your fireplace for those Fall evenings. Moorage for your boat, one reserved parking spot and no dues! $1,250,000

Listed By Mike Mincy & Courtney Cooper

Incredible Million Dollar Views!

Seattle houseboats

Looking for the action of Lake Union and incredible views? If we could capture Lake Union in a bottle, this would be it. Wildlife, views, proximity to the city, and of course the water’s peaceful enjoyment makes owning this beautiful houseboat at 1900 Westlake Ave N the best of this lifestyle. $650,000 for one bedroom + sleeping loft, double decks for excellent outdoor gatherings or relaxation.

Reach out for your private showing! houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

westlake houseboats

Seattle Floating Homes & Waterfront Properties Are “Afloat” For “The Season”

Seattle houseboats
Love this picture my dad took of Lake Union – such incredible scenery and such a gift to live on this lake. Photo: Martin Bowin

We have been selling floating homes for a long time now and the number one question we get from sellers is should we wait until the busy season to sell. Seattle is an interesting market because we are busy almost all of the time. The slower months for us on Lake union are typically and surprisingly mid July until the end of August. In 2020, with the pandemic, people were and still are seriously reevaluating their lives, lifestyles, and who with and where they want to spend their time. I have always found the water to be therapeutic so it is not surprise to me that the rest of the world is taking a closer look at floating homes and waterfront options. We sell both and we have helped a lot of people change their lifestyles for the better both before and during the pandemic. Even now, coming out of quarantine, there is a stronger interest and the market has never been better to sell your floating home or waterfront property. A perfect storm for sellers of these unique and special properties has emerged.

What do I mean about a perfect storm? There are a few factors with floating homes.

seattle floating homes
Currently pending in escrow, this floating home has one of the coolest roof top decks!

(1) Supply and Demand

This is a constant factor. With Seattle floating homes specifically, we have always had the economics of only having 520 homes on the lake and although the buyer pool is constantly changing, there has been a steady enough demand to have a steady rate of appreciation for decades now. While surrounding markets go up and down, floating homes are typically steadily appreciating.

(2) Surrounding Inventory Crunch

Seattle is still one of the most undervalued West Coast cities and we despite some of our problems we are a highly sought after market for tech and other fields. People are still moving here in droves. Since the early 1990s this has been happening and the surrounding problems you see are a result of our growing pains, but we are too beautiful of a city to not overcome them. Our natural beauty and incredible all season outdoor lifestyle just add to the perks of moving here for a job. Usually a high paying job. As a result, housing is more in demand than ever before. Prices are going up and agents that typically sell homes on land are turning to floating homes as a good condo or single family alternative for their clients that would otherwise choose to live on land. This is producing multiple offers and driving our prices up on the lake at a faster pace than is typical. We even had one go 65% over list recently. It depends heavily on what each floating home has to offer and who it appeals to.

Seattle houseboats
Westlake floating home currently in escrow after receiving multiple offers.

(3) Change In Lifestyle

People have always moved onto a floating home to change their lifestyle, but never before have we seen so many people wanting to absolutely have a change in lifestyle. No doubt the result of months in quarantine, this has been a larger contributing factor and increased demand. Even as we open up more statewide, people have decided that they want a different perspective.

Strong market for Seattle Floating Homes, Seattle Houseboats, and Seattle Waterfront Homes

All of these special properties are lifestyle changing and so we are experiencing stronger sales for houseboats, floating homes, and waterfront at higher rates. We are happy to help you evaluate what your next move might be. We represented more floating home buyer or seller sides than any other broker on the lake. I live on a floating home and volunteer on the Floating Home Association’s board. We are experts and happy to share this lifestyle with you. We are also highly networked in and are great at connecting buyers and sellers. Our brand is Seattle Afloat and we have also teamed up with Duckin. Our reach is more extensive because our collective brands are backed by the largest real estate company in the world, Keller Williams. We are local experts and have global reach. You won’t make a better choice or find people who care more. Please call us if we can help you or provide you with more information. It’s an important call to make.

Seattle Floating Homes Latest Market Blast

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seattle floating homes

We have been discovered! Again! Of course we all know that living in one of the 520 Seattle floating homes is the very coolest way to live! It seems that our community is more sought after than ever currently as we experience multiple offers and shorter market times. We do find that when inventory on land decreases, floating homes are a creative no brainer that a buyer may not have thought of before. This has been going on for years.

Breaking Records And Raising The Bar

Last year alone, we had an unprecedented amount of record breaking multi million dollar Seattle floating home sales – each one higher than the last. We represented Seattle floating home buyers and sellers in some of these and we are so pleased that our lake homes are rising in value, even breaking into the $4M price point in 2020!!! The highest Seattle floating home sale occurred in 2020 with an end of dock floating home on The Lake Union Dock in Eastlake. It closed off market and was a FSBO (for sale by owner) and closed at $4,500,000. No brokers represented either party in the sale of 2031 Fairview Ave E #H.

We always make sure to report even these off market sales in our updates because they are not in the MLS for the public to be able to use for a comp or verify facts. We will always represent them as accurately as possible and won’t take credit for sales we don’t make. It is possible to sell your floating home without a broker, though obviously I don’t advise it. We want you to have all the correct information when making a decision about listing your floating home. It’s an important decision to make.

Just in the last couple weeks alone, we have had two quick cash floating home closings, received THREE offers on our $2.1M Portage Bay floating home, and with our help, our buyer prevailed last night, too!!! We were able to secure a purchase for an adorable A-frame floating home in Eastlake on the Flo Villa dock. There were three other offers, but our buyer trusted our experience and market share on the lake and took our advice. We are so happy for our buyer and we adore helping people make their dreams come true.

Seattle Floating Homes Experts

Sometimes I get called the “houseboat queen” and I laugh, but I am truly honored to have the incredible fortune of being able to serve this community. My community. I live on the lake and I love the lake. I work my tail off to do my very best and I am so thankful for you! Seattle Afloat: At any given time we are prepping floating homes for the market, showing floating homes, writing offers, organizing marketing material, or coordinating other logistics for our buyers and sellers. We have a large network of trusted vendors to help us expertly guide you whether you are buying or selling. If you are new here, then we can’t wait to show you our community! If you are ready for new adventures then we look forward to helping you take full advantage of the incredible return on this investment. Call us, text us, email us. It’s an important decision, but we are here for you. 206-850-8841 – Thank you!

*All data is compiled using NWMLS, escrow, tax records, public records and off market knowledge by Courtney Cooper to be specific to the Seattle floating homes market.* Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Just Listed In Eastlake

Seattle houseboats
Seattle floating homes for sale
We got some snow this week. BRRR! We will upload sunny pictures when they come in, too. This cozy Lake Union Seattle floating home was just perfect for hunkering down and loving living afloat.

This sweet 600 square foot Seattle floating home in Eastlake is the perfect hide-away; be it rain, sun, or snow! Remodeled in 1999, this cutie is floating on old growth cedar logs on a quaint co-op dock. Double pane windows allow natural light in every direction. The wrap around deck has ample storage for bikes, paddle boards, and kayaks. There is also an outside storage cabinet. Cheery kitchen and cozy wood burning fireplace. Freshly painted interior allows you to create your own space. Whether you’re searching for your first home, looking to downsize, or just want an exciting lifestyle and change of pace – come see how your next adventure could mean owning a piece of Seattle’s iconic floating home community in a walkable, friendly neighborhood. $515/month dues cover water, sewer, garbage, and maintenance/insurance/taxes on the dock. $600,000

Would you like to see this floating home?

Contact Courtney Cooper for more information. Please email us directly or call/text us to speak with one of us: houseboats@cooperjacobs.com  Courtney 206-850-8841  We are Seattle waterfront and floating homes experts and here to help you. 

Seattle houseboats Grace

Seattle Houseboats Grace on Lake Union.

Seattle houseboats, ,

Seattle houseboats Grace – The first time I met Grace, I fell in love with her beautiful craftsmanship and beauty. No detail was left untouched in this home as one of the coolest of the newer builds Seattle houseboats for sale. Immediately taken with the combination of organic and upscale touches like the hand made wooden table/eating bar and clean white lines, Grace has lines with lasting appeal that perfectly marry the surrounding water. The beamed ceiling melts my heart and the sleek and shiny surfaces appeal to my need for order and beauty. Everything about Grace as this Seattle houseboat is appropriately names is well suited for living in perfect harmony with Lake Union. The clean white tiles and warm wood floors reflect the light off the water as it bounces around the home making you feel like you absolutely belong in this place.

Grace, you had me at this table. This is Grace. Newer build $535,000.
Beautiful finishes and warm wood floors in this beauty of Seattle houseboats.
Seattle houseboats Grace by Fullerstyle and SeattleAfloat
An artful combination of gleaming white and warm wood plus finishing touches like none other make up Grace.

FullerStyle created this remarkable beauty which sits on the water with perfect proportions. To know FullerStyle is to know Crissy and Jeremy Fuller, the geniuses behind the company. Jeremy’s preferred medium is wood and while he has an engineer’s mindset when it comes to hand building each of their modern houseboats from the ground up, he is a true artist with an eye like none other we have seen. That wooden table in Grace was my first introduction to Jeremy’s art and I was hooked immediately. Crissy is the design queen and has more talent in her left pinky than many large design houses. She painstakingly curates each finishing piece and brings it all together. She manages to hunt down the most unique oddities and integrate them into the overall landscape of the home as if they were always there.

Here are the basics for those looking at Seattle houseboats: Grace is a one bedroom, one bath Seattle houseboat with a lovely entertaining deck off the bedroom upstairs. She is currently moored in a marina and surrounded by nature and other Seattle houseboats and lusted for $535,000. Houseboat financing is available and we are happy to give you details on how to purchase Grace with a lender. If you are interested in making this your home on the water, then please reach out of more information or for a private tour. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Houseboats 2020 Top Questions Answered

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Aside From Our Listing Inquiries, These Are The Top Questions About Seattle Houseboats From 2020

We kept track this year and aside from appointments and questions about the incredible Seattle floating home listings and sales we had this year, these are the top other Seattle houseboats questions we received from online inquiries.

What is the difference between a houseboat and a floating home?

My original explanation is that “houseboats” is the umbrella term which covers floating homes, liveaboard vessels, and barges (and now FOWRs). I still argue that this is historically correct because even the Seattle Floating Homes Association has called our floating home tour a Houseboat Tour in days gone by.

***Small disclaimer.  I live on a floating home.*** 

Some of the historical Lake Union buffs and “old timers” like me still call “floating homes” “houseboats” from time to time.  I personally consider them interchangeable, except that the modern definition of a houseboat and a floating home are two different things now. Both get to enjoy the lake lifestyle, though….

Enter The FOWR System

The city came up with a plaque system and now we have and official category: Floating On Water Residence (FOWR). So I am still personally arguing that houseboats is the umbrella term which covers everyone on the lake including floating homes, FOWRs, and barges.   I am usually outvoted by most on this point, but I will probably always call my floating home a houseboat regardless.  In any case, most are correct. An actual houseboat by today’s standards in Seattle is a FOWR and I live in a floating home. The simplest explanation is that a houseboat is more “boaty”.  It is built on a hull and  has boat systems in place for water and waste in most cases. There are some incredible houseboat options lately that are actually connected to the sewer, too.  A floating home is built on a floating foundation, is mostly permanently moored and always connected to the city’s sewer, water, and electrical.  My apologies. If I have confused you, call me and I will try and explain again. 

A couple examples of a floating homes and a FOWR which we happen to have listed currently: Here is a Floating home and here is FOWR

Westlake floating home

How much does a houseboat cost in Seattle? How much do floating homes cost?  

That is a good question. This year we saw overall houseboats sales range from $90,000 to $4,500,000 for for all types of houseboats including floating homes. Two floating home sales hit the four million dollars and over mark for the first time. There are 56 sales in the MLS as of this moment and we know there are two additional ones closing and also at least a few that sold off market completely out of the mls.  This is why it is so very important to tell us what you are looking for. We are highly networked into this amazing community and we can help you secure your Lake Union home!

Where are the houseboats in Seattle?  Where is the best place to live on a houseboat? 

Anywhere.  There is a saying that basically says if you are lucky enough to live on a houseboat then you are lucky enough. This is so true.  This lifestyle is like none other.  Whether you are on a floating home or a houseboat, you are living a similar lake life. Living on Lake Union is like nothing else.  It is an incredible contrast of urban and natural settings married together perfectly. The people that live on the lake are all interesting and life is never dull. This map needs to be updated to include larger houseboat collections.. 

Where Are The Seattle Floating Homes Located?

Can you rent a houseboat in Seattle? 

Yes and no.  We get so many calls about nightly rental inquiries.  In short, it isn’t allowed. http://www.seattleafloat.com/seattle-floating-homes-airbnb-resource/

Can you live on a boat in Seattle?  Yes… but a houseboat is more convenient.

Seattle Houseboats Realtors and Your Advocates:

Let us tour you through this beautiful floating home! We are Seattle Floating homes experts and here to be your absolute advocates when it comes to houseboats living. We can help you from start to finish and beyond and welcome you to our beloved neighborhood. Have questions? 206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

seattle floatinghomes

Eastlake Boater’s Dream

Co-op Moorage, Seattle houseboats, , , ,
Boaters Paradise at this beautiful newly listed Eastlake floating home.

This Eastlake floating home is on the eastern side of Seattle’s Lake Union and second from the end of the dock. An outdoor lover’s dream, there is a heated bike locker, racks for your water toys, and a spot to park your companion boat. Catch the amazing sunsets from the beautiful rooftop deck or dine on your floating accessory raft. Either way, there isn’t a better place available to enjoy life afloat in Eastlake. $1,650,000 (Update: Sold on 11/4/2020 $1,900,000)

Eastlake’s perfect sunny southern spot & 2nd from the end, yet offset to open up big views! An artist’s dream w/ soaring ceilings & gleaming wood floors. Custom matching furniture & kitchen by Wes Smith w/ quartz countertops, Liebherr fridge, Fisher Paykel range (gas cooktop/electric oven), Bosch dishwasher, custom pantry storage. A reader’s paradise w/ library wall & rolling ladder. Outside spaces include rooftop & water level decks, large 31+ x 8 foot rare accessory raft & room for your boat!

You can see all Seattle floating homes on this site on the home page. We look forward to helping you learn about life afloat on Lake Union’s historic and gorgeous floating homes neighborhoods!

seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats Living: Floating Home Just Listed

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Incredible community in Seattle! Small neighborhood feel while living in the middle of the city. Natural setting and the sounds of water offer the perfect city life.

Seattle houseboats living at its best in this cool Eastlake Floating home!

Have you thought about life in Seattle on a houseboat or floating home? Seattle houseboats living afloat is fabulous and here is a great floating home available now! Best panoramic views of Lake Union and beyond from your expansive rooftop deck on this super cool Seattle floating home in sought after Eastlake. Beautiful floating Seattle oasis with owner’s suite includes gorgeous bath and its own private southwest facing deck to admire the lake activity. One more bedroom or office on this level. Travel upstairs and capture incredible natural light and open concept with living room, dining room, eat in kitchen and half bath. Innotech tilt & turn windows are also special finds on floating homes.

Awesome spaces in this cool Eastlake floating home – always has been admired and the envy of many in the neighborhood.

Everyone who dreams of Seattle Houseboats Living, wants a great outdoor space, so we especially love the deck conveniently off this level for grilling up dinner. Then there is the rooftop deck! Seattle floating homes with rooftop decks are always on wish lists, but to find one so large is truly your own private “backyard”.

This is a great dock filled with awesome floating home and land neighbors and in a wonderful location. Living on a Seattle floating home is an absolute great way to enjoy all that the city has to offer while being in your own private water world with nature. It really makes the outside world melt away and is also great for easy access to water sports! $1,600,000

Details of this Seattle Floating Home

  • 2 bedrooms
  • 1.5 baths
  • 1155 Square feet
  • $550/month dues cover water, sewer, garbage, taxes on submerged parcel
  • roof top deck
  • co-op dock so you own a share in the dock to secure your slip ownership.
  • Full Listing and to schedule and appt.

Let us tour you through this beautiful floating home! houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Welcome To The Shelby Dock

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Welcome to the newly redone Shelby Dock! Upscale dock rebuild and incredible channel views make this the ideal spot to call home! Just listed by Courtney Cooper for $765,000

Seattle floating homes in Portage Bay have been well sought after in recent years. Here is one that hasn’t changed hands for forty years! Its adorable, too! Ready for its legacy to be passed on to its next occupant, this sweet floating home is the princess of houseboats! From the moment you step down Shelby Street in Portage Bay, you may have the same feeling that most residents here have – one of your shoulders relaxing and the entire day melting away. Many times, I have heard of this account and experience it myself on a regular basis. This truly is peaceful Portage Bay, but that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening here! This home has an incredible channel view to the full boat parade! If that’s not enough jump into your kayak or paddle out on your SUP.

One bedroom with large walk in closet and super cool historical Jalousie windows, stacking washer and dryer and all fir floors throughout. This is a gem and has a large covered wrap around deck complete with haint paint in the eves. Enjoy your fun neighbors and the private coveted lush garden on the shores of this cooperatively owned moorage’s property. In addiiton, it comes with on shore storage at no additional charge. The monthly dues cover all your utilities except for electricity and cable.internet, and the home is equipped with a super efficiient newer pellet stove.

Enjoy living on the banks of Portage Bay in this incredible part of town. So close to Little Lago, that the lovely smalls of their wood fired pizza and hand made espresso drinks billow through the air when the gentle breezes go by. Located on the Portage Bay Loop, this is a great spot to jump on the 3.2 mile loop around the bay which is the eastern arm of Lake Union. Paddle to Ivar’s for some fish and chips or go through the Montlake Cut and check out the waterways of the Arboretum and Foster Island. There is no shortage of adventure and peace here! $765,000

Some of the details of this Portage Bay floating home:

  • 735 square feet
  • 1 bedroom
  • 1 bath (includes a tub!)
  • sunny eat in kitchen
  • owned moorage for home
  • room to tie up your kayaks
  • on shore storage
  • private community garden

Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

seattle houseboats

Neighborhood Spotlight on Westlake

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Westlake is one of the highlights of our Seattle floating homes neighborhood. It is truly coveted, but sometimes overlooked. The truth is that Lake Union floating homes in Westlake don’t change hands nearly as often as other parts of our community. Tom Hanks knew this when he lived here in 1993’s blockbuster hit Sleepless In Seattle. Just one stop into the Westlake Deli will keep you coming back for more. The neighborhood is also located on the acclaimed Cheshiahud Loop which offers lots of great options for connecting North to Fremont, Burke Gilman Trail, and more, plus South to South Lake Union and Downtown. Additionally, Queen Anne is right there and depending on where you are in Westlake, there is also an easy foot bridge across Westlake Ave N. It’s limitless.

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Westlake views – this dock has a great view of the iconic Sleepless In Seattle home as well as Gas Works Park!

Here are some reasons from one Westlake floating home owner.

“Our bike/walk path is the best in Seattle from Fisherman’s terminal to Amazonville. Also, though Fremont is very walkable and close to us (0.8 mile to PCC), we are also only 1.4 miles to Queen Anne’s neighborhood – an area we always identify with and use daily – several restaurants (re-opening someday), Trader Joes, nail places, pet places, dry cleaners, indoor pool..

 I can understand why some people think Westlake is much busier, but it’s quiet on the water and more accessible location. When I lived on Fairview, I had also thought Westlake was more exposed… until I moved to Westlake and soon after I moved there, I appreciated it much more.”

Westlake in short supply per usual

Westlake floating homes for sale come up here and there. They are always sought after and won’t last. Please let us know if you would like to see them or learn more about this incredible neighborhood.

The 2466 Westlake Ave N dock is part of The Sleepless In Seattle Coop

seattle floating homes
Great view down the channel of the Sleepless coop.
Please call/text us for your private viewing of any available floating homes – socially distanced, cleaned, sanitized, and compliant with state and CDC guidelines. email houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Pending – 2766 Westlake Ave N Unit #A, Seattle, WA 98109

seattle houseboats for sale
Peaceful and colorful Westlake floating home with thoughtful details throughout. $798,000

There’s nothing like living on the water. This beautiful craftsman updated floating home proves it! Relax while taking in the expansive views from your new rooftop deck; an entertainment delight! A wonderful flex room is perfect for a family room, home office work space, or turn it into another bedroom. The kitchen and great room join to create a sophisticated space for entertaining guests. Endless counter space and loads of storage. One bdrm w/ full bath all on the main floor.

Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

We are excited to show you this cool neighborhood!

Westlake Floating Homes Are Beautiful

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Homes in Westlake tend to have deep water and are on the best part of the Lake Union Loop.

Contact us. We are your Seattle Houseboats Experts and look forward to helping you and answering all your questions. Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Luxurious Solitude And Peace Redefined

Seattle houseboats

The light reflecting on the ceiling and dancing around the various spaces in this luxury Seattle waterfront living retreat is like nothing else you have seen. Brand new sleek and clean spaces offer the very best in living on the water. There is no better time to live on the water. Whether you are a boater or enjoy other water recreational activities, life in Seattle is better when you are here. Reserve your time to see it this week. c/t 206-850-8841

Stunning newly built architectural masterpiece at Stillwater Landing includes 1 car designated garage parking w/ 50 amp service & room for a boat alongside your home. Outstanding views of the Montlake Cut, Seattle Yacht Club, UW, Portage Bay water & mountain views. Fleetwood Sliders w/ expansive floor to ceiling design throughout, Liebherr & Miele appliances, his/hers master walk in closets, more. Exceptionally constructed w/ +/- 2,650 sq ft of living space + 800 sq ft roof top! Home Warranty.

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Seattle Houseboats Living: Moving Into A Floating Home Logistics

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Moving by boat… Seattle houseboats living!

This is an interesting topic in the Seattle houseboats world. When you move into a home on land, you schedule the moving truck and they back into your driveway or park on the street in front of your home. What happens when you move in or out of a floating home? The answer is it depends. It depends on a number of factors and features really of your dock.

Seattle views on the water…
  1. Location. You hear about location, location, location in Seattle real estate, but never does that come into play more than when you are moving in or out of a floating home in Seattle. The neighborhood in which your dock is located is a crucial part of the puzzle when it comes to figuring out logistics of a move. Floating homes are at street ends and alleys in many cases in Portage Bay, and tight streets exist in Eastlake, Fremont, Wallingford, and Westlake. Taking the time to find out if the moving truck can even fit close to your dock is important. Make sure to have the movers come out and map out the plan.
  2. Communication. Let your dock know the plan. There may be a loading zone or parking spaces which need to be reserved.
  3. Security. You may need to ask for help from someone who can physically watch your belongings while furniture and boxes are moved up or down the dock so that the truck is not left unattended at any time.
  4. Use of Dolly, Cart, etc. First of all, make sure that the wheels of a third party cart or dolly are not going to be damaging to your dock surface. Seattle floating home docks usually have great carts for moving your belongs up and down the dock, but you might want to ask the dock board if it is okay to use them for a floating home household move. They are in place at the head of the houseboats dock so that all the floating home residents can use them in every day life. Additional wear and tear on them may not be welcome.
  5. Moving from dock to dock or from one floating home on the dock to another on the same dock? Consider filling a boat! This is especially great for planters and outdoor furniture, but can be a great mode of transport for indoor belongs as well.
  6. Leveling it. Last note and important!!! When you move furniture in and out you may need to call a diver to come level your home – especially if you are moving a particularly heavy piece of furniture! The diver may need to come out and move flotation around or add more…

There are some great choices available right now – both on land and in the floating home world. Let us know if you are interested in exploring our amazing Seattle neighborhoods. I live and work in Seattle and am your absolute advocate in the Seattle houseboats world. Current Seattle floating homes listings range in price from $995,000 to $2,950,000 and can be found in Eastlake and Portage Bay.

Contact us. We are your Seattle Houseboats Experts and look forward to helping you and answering all your questions. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Floating Homes – Luxury Details In This New Build

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What a gorgeous day! We always say that this is the kind of weather that was made to show off Seattle houseboats! This luxury new construction floating home build is no exception to that. This is the last floating home available in the Stillwater Landing development. It is that one that was held back because the design was so incredible. It is also the last basement allowed in Seattle floating homes per current city rules. This luxury lake home is incredible!!! Three levels of living space with high ceilings, luxury finish work, and radiant warm floors. It has boat moorage and garage parking – complete with electrical to install a car charger if you want. It really has it all… and you own your own moorage. $2,950,000

This is a once in a lifetime buy as the city has a net zero policy on these and no more new Seattle floating homes will be allowed to add to the number that we have on the lake already. In addition, no additional basements will be permitted according to the code. It’s also rare to get a garage parking space and be in this incredible corner of Portage Bay.

We would be happy to show you this property. We have lender, inspector, appraiser, and insurance referrals for these special waterfront properties and we are happy to walk you through each step. We look forward to showing you this floating home or others and are your absolute advocates for Lake Union homes and waterfront living. We are here to help and your absolute Seattle Houseboats Experts ℠.

Seattle floating home
Surrounded on three sides with water, this is truly life afloat.
Natural light comes in from every angle and reflects off the lake on to the ceilings.
High end finishes and appliances make this a dream to cook and entertain in.
Incredible from every angle, this kitchen is a cook’s dream and you won’t ever want to eat out again. .
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