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
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 aFloating home and here is FOWR
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..
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
