seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats History Resource

Curious about Seattle houseboats and their history on Lake Union?seattle houseboats

You have to go back over a hundred years and look beyond Lake Union to see the roots of Seattle houseboats.  Beth Means and Bill Keasler  wrote a great piece about Seattle houseboats history on The Seattle Floating Homes Association website.  Seattle Floating homes have played a significant part in shaping the city’s history and landscape.  We at Seattle Afloat have a whole category on this site dedicated to it: Seattle houseboats history on Seattle Afloat.

There is also a great spot to see amazing pictures and get more information on HistoryLink where the site describes various houseboats around Seattle and their origins:

“Some of these communities — especially those off the Madison Park and Leschi neighborhoods on Lake Washington —  were formed by the well-to-do who enjoyed summering aboard their fancy abodes. Others — along the Elliott Bay waterfront, the Duwamish River, Harbor Island, Salmon Bay, Lake Union, Portage Bay, and Union Bay — were mainly inhabited by workers struggling to stay financially afloat.. “

Howard Droker wrote the fascinating book Seattle’s Unsinkable Houseboats in 1977 and there is a great video about Seattle houseboats featuring him on the http://www.lakeunionhistory.org/ website.  I have embedded it here because it is worth a watch:


Vannessa Ho at the Seattle PI wrote an interesting piece about Seattle houseboats  – it was a cool slide show of houseboats then and now.  Here is a link to that slideshow: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/slideshow/Seattle-houseboats-Then-and-now-64448.php

seattle houseboatsIf you are curious about Seattle houseboats and interested in purchasing a Seattle floating home, then please let us know.  These are special homes and the ultimate in Seattle waterfront living.  You should work with real estate agents who understand the ins and outs of Seattle houseboats.  We understand all of the unique intricacies of the Seattle floating home world and we are happy to help you.  We can also help you with the various FSBO floating homes available across the lake.

You can reach me at 206-850-8841 or Courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate for all your realty needs – we have brokers who specialize in all Seattle neighborhoods and suburbs.

Seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats: What A Difference A Few Weeks Makes In The Floating Home World!

Wow!  What a difference a few weeks makes for Seattle houseboats.


If you want to go back and review my Seattle Floating Homes Market Report from September, then please do so. In the course of three days in the first week or so in October, four Seattle floating homes went pending and one closed in escrow! There are only five Seattle floating homes for sale currently and only 2 of those are under $600k.

Seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats:  What A Difference A Few Weeks Makes In The Floating Home World!

Seattle houseboats for sale:  Of the five floating homes available for sale, here is the info:  These range in price from $550,000 to $1,890,000 with a median list price of $1,100,000.  Of these, my favorite is 2017 Fairview Ave E , Slip #O. It has owned moorage – the only one under $600 that owns its own slip.  It is well done, charming, updated, and on a great dock. They are also offering $6000 to go towards your closing costs. It’s a steal…

Pending in the MLS: There are 5 pending Seattle floating homes per the NWMLS.  These Seattle houseboats range in price from $345,000 to $1,300,000.

Seattle houseboats SOLD:  2369 Fairview Ave E #2 has closed in escrow! This is a luxury floating home on the high end Fairview Landing dock. It was listed for $2,950,000 and had a final sales price of $2,850,000 (96.61% sales price to list price). The home is a 3 bedroom 1.75 bath 2150 square foot “houseboat” built in 2009. It sold for $1,325.58 per square foot.


Would you like more information on these sales or Seattle floating homes both off and on the market? 

Courtney Cooper 206.850.8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate:  Seattle Houseboats Realtors

Seattle Houseboats: Catching Up With The Seattle Floating Homes Market Sept 2014

Summary:  Great Choices Available unless you want The Sleepless In Seattle Houseboat.june2010b 275

All year long, the story has been low inventory, low inventory, low inventory.  Now we have inventory.  Typically August is pretty quiet for Seattle houseboats sales, so it was no surprise to see that August was slow again. The real surprise, though, was the whole new crop of Seattle floating homes listings that have come on the market.  We have some really cool choices right now which span into every price range.

The 2014 Seattle floating home tour was a success this year and definitely increased interest in this great community.  Add to the the Boats Afloat show this weekend and I would say life on Lake Union is about as exciting as it can be aside from The Fourth Of July! If you are entering the Seattle houseboats world or already a houseboat buyer candidate, then this is truly your time to buy.  Seattle houseboats sellers are motivated because the inventory increase has added competition for the sale of their home.  Buyers are able to pick up some great floating homes right now.

So here are the Seattle houseboats that have sold in the floating home world (both on market and off market that I know about):

1. Sleepless in Seattle:  All the buzz is about Sleepless.  The house where Tom Hanks resided in while Meg Ryan chased after him in the original stalker movie – before stalking was actually even a thing besides in National Geographic and horror flicks… The Sleepless in Seattle houseboat has an amazing main level and a very dated upper level which I am sure the new owner will remedy.  It has one of the largest floats on the lake and also one of the largest moorage spaces on Lake Union if you have a boat you want to tie up to your house. It is definitely worth the over two million paid for it.  We almost sold it a couple times in the last year or so for over two million so we weren’t surprised. I knew it had been sold a couple months ago and put it here in my blog, but was politely asked to not report it yet.  The secret is out.  It is sold. Over two million dollars and a great deal in my opinion for one of the Duck Tour’s favorite shout outs on Lake Union.

2. Two floating homes on the 2025 Fairview Ave E Log Foundation dock also closed in the last 30 days. Slip M was a 625 square foot 1 bedroom and 1 bath houseboat built in 1930.  It was listed for $495,000 and after 428 days on market sold for 93.54% of its list price at $420,000.  Also on that dock was slip H – South facing 900 square foot floating home built in 1917, but updated.  We listed this one for $725,000 and it sold for full price 34 days later.

Seattle Houseboats Pending in Escrow – The Big news on the Lake and I mean big as in expensive and beautiful and amazing is that the Fairview Landing (2369 Fairview Ave E) Seattle luxury floating home listed for $2,950,000 is pending in escrow.  This is a lovely modern concrete dock with beautiful Seattle luxury floating homes and although this particular floating home is on the North side, the neighbors are amazing and so is the house. It’s a big sale on the lake and happy for the new buyers to have gotten on to this phenomenal gated dock.

What’s for sale now in the Seattle floating home world?seattle houseboats

Seattle houseboats for sale are in all price ranges right now – ranging from an unheard of low in Eastlake houseboats for $365,000 (1 bedroom on Tenas Chuck dock) to Roanoke Reef at $1,890,000.  We love the Tenas Chuck floating home for someone wanting to get on to the lake.

We also love 2017 Fairview Ave , Slip O – 2 bedroom home on a great dock for $617,000!  This one is so cute and appeals to many.  Good choice on one of the most well run coops on the lake. As far as the nicer homes go, we really love the house in Westlake listed for $1,299,000 at 2466 Westlake Ave N, Slip 7. You can have a FORTY FOOT BOAT tied up to your house there and it has been absolutely loved by its current owners.

seattle houseboatsAdditional reading about these Seattle houseboats:

Summary Of Seattle Houseboats

Seattle Houseboats Market Update Details

Please call or email me if you want to see anything listed on the lake  – or unlisted 🙂  We can show you any home listed by any broker and look forward to showing you some of our favorite spots on the lake. Courtney Cooper 206.850.8841

The Pictures Are In: Beautiful Seattle Floating Home For Sale

Introducing 2025 Fairview Ave E, Houseboat #H

If you have been looking for Seattle Houseboats to come on the market then that time is finally here.  Welcome home to Houseboat H on the 2025 Fairview Ave E Log Foundation Dock.  This is a well run co-op of floating homes and the most Southern co-op in Eastlake.  The Log Foundation is made up of three docks and has long been considered a desirable place to call home afloat in Seattle.  In addition to the glorious sun exposure that Eastlake gets form its position, this particular floating home is positioned to be South facing to the channel so the Southwest exposure is abundant here.  Please let us know if you are interested in seeing this beauty!  Courtney 206-850-8841

Brand New Seattle Houseboats Listing!

Welcome to Life Afloat on Lake Union!

Seattle houseboats for saleThe Seattle Floating Homes Market In General: If you have been watching the Seattle houseboats market at all, then you know that there have not been a lot to choose from as of late.  Seattle floating homes have trickled onto the market very slowly and many have sold off market as demand increases. It is our pleasure to introduce this gem into the mix as it is a great spot to call home in Seattle!

2025 Fairview Ave E #H

Rare second from the end South facing Lake Union floating home in Eastlake with incredible features. Great interior spaces, French Doors to the back deck which opens up to a large channel and easy Lake action.

Enjoy relaxing in your “backyard” on your grandfathered in accessory float, plus there is space to put your own small boat alongside. Coveted Co-Op Owned Lake Union Moorage Slip and a well maintained floating home all on one of the most well run docks in the city.  This is truly an opportunity and it isnt often that these come up so close to the end of the dock. $725,000

Some of the basics on this Seattle floating home for sale:

  • 1 Bedroom
  • 1 Bath
  • 900 Square Feet
  • Large decks and storage areas
  • Owned Moorage
  • Accessory Float is “grandfathered in”
  • Room for a boat along side
  • Room for expansion

Although it is almost always more expensive dollar per square foot to purchase a Seattle houseboat, the low dues and low taxes make this home more affordable than a land home overall. They are quite a unique way to live in the city and we would be happy to tell you about it. Let us know, please, if you are interested in seeing this Seattle floating home or other Seattle houseboats for sale. We are happy to show you our favorites and walk you through the steps of purchasing one.

Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 Courtney@CooperJacobs.com

OK – So Basically You Have Three Choices…

Seattle Houseboats market staying afloat…

We know of a few Seattle floating homes that have sold recently off market including a front row Roanoke Reef floating home …  We also know of at least two others about to hit the market so stay tuned, but if you are interested in looking at Seattle houseboats right now, you have three choices.

We recommend this 950 square foot Seattle floating home with a rooftop deck.  It is listed for $499,950.  Here are the remarks from the MLS listing for this Eastlake houseboat:

This is a great opportunity to live life afloat and own your own moorage and great well run co-op dock! Extremely stylish floating home has a beautiful owner’s suite perched on the second floor. Nice open floor plan, kitchen with stainless steel appliances opening up to a casual great room. Fun decks and spaces, plus a roof top deck!

The other two choices are within the same Log Foundation co-op dock.  There is an adorable one on the same dock listed at $449,000 and then a couple docks South but still within the Log Foundation is an end of dock Seattle floating home still located in the Log Foundation and listed for $2,888,000.  It is on the most southern Seattle floating home dock in Eastlake so imagine the Seattle skyline views you have from there! It is supreme.

There is one other “on market” option and that is the very last homesite available at Wards’s Cove.  Ward’s Cove is the newest Seattle floating home dock and 11 out of the 12 slips have sold. It was listed for $630,000, but is currently under $600,000.  Ward’s Cove offers many amenities and some well designed floating home plan options, PLUS it is fee simple ownership.  This is RARE.  Another rare perk?  Parking!

Please let us know if you are interested in any of these or if you would like to see something else we may have upcoming…  206.850.8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Eastlake Seattle Houseboats Dock Highlight – The Log Foundation

Looking at Houseboats and wondering about some of the docks?

Dock rules and By-Laws change, but here are some basics.

The Log Foundation is a group of 3 docks at and are on the three most South Seattle Floating homes docks just North of Terry Pettus Park.  The Log Foundation is a co-op.  This means the submerged land that their dock is on (less the DNR leased land) is cooperatively owned by the homeowners on the dock.

The Log Foundation addresses are:

2017 Fairview Ave E

2019 Fairview Ave E

2025 Fairview Ave E

Lake Union fluctuates almost two feet and is at its lowest point in August.  These three docks are not floating docks and so the houses go up and down depending on the water level in Lake Union while the dock stays the same height.  This requires stepping down or up to get on and off the houseboat or the dock.  Many clever home owners have come up with wonderful solutions.

Houseboaters in general tend to be quite considerate and thoughtful people, but The Log Foundation has some WONDERFUL people on it and the docks have great Southerly views of the city and Space Needle.  You can check for Seattle floating homes for sale on these docks by visiting our Seattle houseboats page on Cooper Jacobs.

Can You Move A Floating Home?

The Big Move: Moving A Seattle Dilapidated Houseboat And Bringing In A New One…

The old Houseboat # O on the 2017 Dock

Seattle floating homes are moored “permanently” to the docks they are on, but from time to time, it is necessary to move out dilapidated houseboats and bring in new ones or a recycled one in this case.  This is an amazing set of pictures from an event that doesn’t happen very often.

The Tug boat doing all the moving

Jann McFarland wrote a great article in the Floating Homes Association Spring 2010 Newsletter about this particular move and one of the floating homes owner on the dock was kind enough to share her photos and give me permission to publish them here (Thank you Carole!).  Both Carole and I thought it was a nice piece of houseboat history and worth sharing.

This particular houseboat move took place on 2017 Fairview Ave E on one of the Log Foundation co-op docks. It was in October of 2009 and according to Jann’s article it took almost two years to get the proper permits in place to make this feat happen.

Houseboat O’s Lake Union moorage slip is not at the end of the dock or even near the end of the dock.  In addition, the channel between that dock and the next dock over isn’t wide enough to bring an entire houseboat in or out so how do they do it?

Moving the houseboats out to the lake

Very carefully with lots of planning and cooperation from many involved.

Tugboat pushing in the replacement houseboat

Last one to be moved out before Houseboat O

It is more than just moving the floating homes in or out.  There are permits, contracts, utilities, insurance, and more, plus you have to get all of the owners on board on the same day for the move.

One by one, the floating homes on the dock are moved out to make a wide channel to bring the old home out and the new one in.  It was an all day event and involved many people coordinating their efforts.

The tug boat moved each of the floating homes on the North side of the 2017 dock out to the lake and rafted them together while the replacement houseboat was brought in.  The dock got a recycled Portage Bay floating home and brought it in place of the older houseboat being taken out.

The newer houseboat O was brought in and fixed up and it sold in less than a month for full price at $475,000 – quite a bargain actually for the size, condition, and location.  The Log Foundation Co-op is a group of Seattle floating homes owners that cooperatively own the three South most docks on Fairview Ave E in Eastlake.  It is a great houseboat community  and worth a look if you are interested in living on a Seattle houseboat.  Currently there are three Seattle houseboats for sale on the Log Foundation docks – they range in price from $495,000 to $749,000.

*Thanks to Carole Nielson for the photographs and permission to use.

More Out in the Lake

Seattle Houseboats For Sale: Current Floating Homes Market

Wow! A lot can happen in a week! Bring out the sun and outcome the Seattle houseboats for sale! I wanted to update you all on the new floating homes and give you an overall idea of the market. There are now 13 Seattle floating homes for sale – They range from $349,990 for a 100 year old beauty on a co-op dock in Westlake to $1,720,000 for a fee simple ownership floating home in beautiful Roanoke Reef. The median price for these Seattle floating homes for sale is $725,000.

There are currently 4 Westlake floating homes for sale – 2 in Westlake Cove, 1 on the 2420 dock, and a beauty on the dock just North of the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat. This particular one is in the same co-op as Sleepless, but on the South half of the dock just North of it and it is gorgeous! I got a chance to stop in yesterday and see it before my open house. It is listed by famed Rick Miner and he showed me all the great features of this brand new floating home listing. New construction in floating homes is rare and this one is worth seeing!

Seven of these floating homes are in Eastlake. Most Seattle houseboats in Eastlake are on Fairview Ave E, but there are a few docks that fall into other streets. The least expensive floating home on Fairview is a beautiful 1930 houseboat with hardwood floors, radiant heated slate bathroom, roof top view deck, double moorage for multiple boats, and gas on the dock. It is on the beautiful Willow Dock which gets its name from the amazing tree at it’s shore side. There is also a larger floating home on the shore end of the dock with huge spaces – listed at $650,000.

Two homes from the Log Foundation are currently for sale – This is a wonderful floating home community at the South end of Fairview and offers beautiful city views. These are great two bedrooms at $725,000 and $749,000 and happen to be a couple that I love going into. There is also one in Mallard Cove for $1,250,000 – a larger home at 2000 square feet and quite beautiful. The last in Eastlake is the Roanoke Reef home that is currently for sale – it is on the very South end of the dock and has some great spaces including a basement of sorts. In addition, there is one floating home moorage site at Ward’s Cove that offers the newest in floating homes for Seattle. It is listed at $850,000 for the slip.

Other areas of Seattle floating homes: Lee’s Moorings in Northlake aka Fremont has a floating home for sale with a wall of windows – one bedroom at $799,950. It is one of the brightest floating homes we have seen and worth the visit if you are in the market. The dock is very nice, too. Over in Portage Bay, there is a houseboat on Hamlin which just came up for $645,000 – a one bedroom with 800 square feet of living space, but unique shape and quite appealing. I know of one on Boat Street also – high $400’s, brand new, and a great location near the U-District. It is listed with a broker, but has not shown up in the MLS as of yet. I happened to see it while checking on my friend’s houseboat on that dock. The Boat Street dock is leased moorage owned by the University of Washington so the homes are lesser in price, but not as much security for your moorage as an owned dock.

Pending Houseboat Sales – Two Seattle floating homes went pending this last week – one of my favorites on the Lake Union dock in Eastlake and a jaw dropping remodel job in Westlake at the Old Boathouse dock under the Aurora Bridge (This particular one got three offers in a matter of two days). It is gorgeous, too – completely unique and the fridge was an upscale drawer model which really opened up the spaces in there. It has a stunning spiral staircase going up to its view bedrooms and a view deck plus a roof top deck – just amazing. I am sure the lucky new owner will love living there!

Happy Summer!!! That is all for now – let me know if you are interested in seeing any of these at all – I can also help you find the financing and other particular items you need to buy a floating home. courtney@seattleafloat.com

Current Seattle Houseboats For Sale

Well the NWMLS has really gone a little haywire with the changeover to the new Matrix software. As a result, Seattle houseboats for sale are not being updated correctly in the MLS or any of the sites that the listings feed to. Many are still showing without pictures to the public sites even though many professional pictures have been loaded in to the MLS. The glitch should be resolved soon, but in the mean time, I wanted to make sure and get some complete and current data out there for what is available in the Seattle Floating Homes market.

Eastlake, Westlake, Northlake, and Portage Bay Floating Homes For Sale

On The Dox dock – a 2 bedroom 1 bath with an astounding 1450 square feet and soaring ceilings for only $650,000

The Log Foundation – an amazing 1 bedroom floating home with HUGE spaces and a great roof top spot to perch over Lake Union 936 sq ft $749,000

The Lake Union Dock – 2 bedroom/1.5 bath reverse floor plan with really cool cork flooring and great decks plus the best roof top deck I have been on since the last Roanoke Reef floating home that sold. No idea on the square footage but feels pretty spacious and nice views. $749,000

Westlake Cove – The Westlake portion of Lake Union – Brand new carpet, this half bedroom/studio floating home has lots of spaces and an amazing entertaining sized kitchen. Sleeping loft and room to go up a level make this one a great investment on Lake Union! $349,990

The Log Foundation – 2 bedroom with really large utility room and a deeded parking space – I think it is a little over 900 square feet, but no mention of it in the listing – reverse floor plan on this one, too. $769,000

Boyer in Portage Bay– 2 bedroom/1.75 bath 2000 square feet with interest in additional moorage on the dock $2,200,000 (I also saw this one is available for rent for $5500/mo. if you are interested in renting a Seattle houseboat)

Westlake Cove – 2 bedroom 1 bath floating home often mistaken by tourists as the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat, this one has one of the biggest decks I have seen (except for the Sleepless houseboatJ) – adjacent moorage is available for up to 20 feet – great wide channel and lovely views of Lake Union $525,000

The Old Boathouse – Artist inspired obviously – very cool remodel – 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath with a great view over the houseboat in front of you – has moorage. Great dock position – second from end. 1151 sq ft $749,950

Lee’s Mooring – 2 bedroom 1.5 bath super cool modern floating home – Big wall of windows… $799,950

Let us know if you are interested in any Seattle houseboat tours – we can show you anything you want to see – no matter who it is listed by! Courtney@SeattleAfloat.com

Sold Seattle Floating Homes Sales: How Does 2010 Stack Up So Far?

Seattle Floating Homes Sold houseboat listings from the MLS: Here are the current sold Seattle floating homes in the MLS so far for the year – In addition there are 8 more currently on the market so it looks like we could be on track for meeting or exceeding 2009! Keep in mind that there are many homes that also sell between neighbors and family or friends without ever reaching the MLS, but looking at these sold Seattle floating homes is a great indication of how the market is going so far this year!

2010 Seattle Floating Homes Sold MLS Listings – 4 so far this year!

2818-1/2 Boyer Ave E #6 1/1 YB 1900 LP $365,000 SP $350,000 DOM 93 (Brackett)

2017 Fairview Ave E #O 2/1 YB 1920 LP $475,000 SP $475,000 DOM 9 (The Log Foundation)

2025 Fairview Ave E #J 2/2 1500 sq ft YB 1976 (End of dock) LP $1,200,000 SP $1,150,000 DOM 27 (Log Foundation)

10 E Roanoke St #11 2/2.25 2062 sq ft YB 1976 LP $1,400,000 SP $1,400,000 DOM 30 (Roanoke Reef)

2009 Seattle Floating Homes Sold MLS Listings – 15 Sold in all

2235 Fairview Ave E # 1 0/.75 YB 2007 LP $285,000, SP $250,000 DOM: 143 (DOX)

2818 -1/2 Boyer Ave E #1 1/.75 YB 2006 LP $335,000 SP $330,000 DOM:145 (Brackett)

2019 Fairview Ave E #Q 1/1 YB 1965 LP $475,000 SP 415,000 DOM 86 (The Log Foundation)

2818 -1/2 Boyer Ave E #7 1/1 YB 2007 LP $435,000 SP $420,000 DOM 129 (Brackett)

2031 Fairview Ave E #N 1/1 YB 1925 LP$500,000 SP $486,500 DOM 95 (The Lake Union)

2235 Fairview Ave E # 4 1/1.5 700 Sq ft YB 1990 LP$515,000 SP $497,000 DOM 52 (DOX)

3110-B Portage Bay PL E 1/1.5 YB 1987 LP $635,000 SP $630,000 DOM 15 (Houseboat Harbor)

2351 Fairview Ave E #B 3/1.75 1500 sq ft YB 1986 LP $795,000 SP $725,000 DOM 109 (Phoenix Moorage Dock)

10 E Roanoke St #12 3/2 YB 1982 LP $1,400,000 SP $1,100,000 DOM 167 (Roanoke Reef)

2600 Fairview Ave E #8 3/2.5 2000 sq ft, YB 1978 LP $1,300,000 SP $1,200,000 DOM 71 (Mallard Cove)

10 E Roanoke St #18 3/1.75 1884 sq ft, YB 1983 LP $1,300,000 SP $1,276733 DOM 29 (Roanoke Reef)

2369 Fairview Ave E #5 3/3 3033 Sq ft YB 2007 LP $2,200,000 SP $2,100,000 DOM 301 (Fairview Landing)

2420 Westlake Ave N #13 2/1.75 1590 sq ft YB 1960 LP $749,000 SP 749,000 DOM 6 (2420)

2466 Westlake Ave N # 4 3/1.5 1480 sq ft, YB 1999 LP $1,425,000 SP $1,350,000 DOM 76 (Nesika Chuck)

1409 Boat Street #4 2/1.5 1234 sq ft YB 1977 LP $524,950 SP $522,950 DOM 31 (UW Leased Moorage)

2008 Seattle Floating Homes Sold MLS Listings – 6 floating homes sold this year

2025 Fairview Ave E # M 1/1 625 sq feet, Built in 1900, Listed at $600,000, Sold for $590,000, 53 days on market (The Log Foundation)

2019 Fairview Ave E # N 2/1, Built in 1976 Listed at 695,000, Sold for $675,000, 31 days on market (The Log Foundation)

2727 Fairview Ave E # 6 2/1/ 993 Sq Ft, Built in 1974, Listed at $775,000, Sold for $725,000, 37 days on market (Hamlin)

2019 Fairview Ave E #C 2/1.75, 1200 sq ft, built in 1940, Listed at $795,000, Sold for $795,000, 3 days on market (The Log Foundation)

1214 E Hamlin St #9 3/1.75 1500 sq ft, built in 1971, List price $1,150,000, Sale price $1,075,000, 79 days on market (Dock Society)

1214 E Hamlin St # 11 2/1 Built in 1969, End of dock Moorage, List Price $1,250,000, Sale Price, $1,189,700, 93 DOM(Dock Society)

If you are interested in Seattle houseboats for sale, there are some great choices out on the lake right now!

Seattle Floating Homes Market Update

The last two days in Seattle have been amazing weather wise. I have been driving around showing homes through rain, sunshine, wind, and sometimes even hale! Luckily the sunshine is prevailing overall and as the days brighten all over Seattle, so does the opportunity to buy one of the gorgeous Seattle houseboats in Lake Union! The floating homes market all across Westlake, Eastlake, and Portage Bay opens up quite a bit as soon as the days get brighter around here because that is the best time to showcase the beauties of the ultimate Seattle waterfront lifestyle!

There are seven Seattle floating homes for sale right now in the NWMLS – these are actual floating homes – not vessels or other types of houseboats. Most of the available floating homes in the MLS are along Fairview Ave E and most are in Eastlake. The most common price for a one or two bedroom currently in Eastlake is in the $700,000 price range. Floating homes on Lake Union in the MLS right now range from $349,990 for a great Westlake floating home option with a huge kitchen and cozy loft (open house Sat 1-4 and Sunday 1-4 this weekend!) to $1,720,000 for substantial floating home on Roanoke in the gated houseboat community of Roanoke Reef. Additionally there is a Portage Bay floating home on the market for $2,200,000 with some extra moorage options.

In between the high and the low of the MLS floating homes price range are the middles. There are four Eastlake floating homes for sale right now that all happen to be within about $20,000 of each other in price. They are also all two story and similar styles and all but one have a great roof top deck for views of Seattle across Lake Union. They range from $749,000 to $770,000 in price and all have 2 bedrooms except for a gorgeous highly remodeled one bedroom on one of the Log Foundation docks (open house this Sunday 1-4).

You can find all of these houseboat listings here (plus any additional ones that come on the MLS):

Seattle floating homes for sale

If you want to see any of them at all please feel free to get in touch with us  – homes@SeattleAfloat.com  – we are happy to arrange private houseboat tours so you can see what is currently available.

Recent Seattle floating homes sales? There are two pending in the MLS – a cute refurbished one story on another of the Log Foundation docks which was featured in the Floating Homes Association’s most recent newsletter about recycling to the max. It was priced for only $475,000 and had a great wrap around deck. Another pending sale is over in Westlake Cove – a well maintained co-op dock along the shores of Westlake in Lake Union. This one was priced at $575,000 for a shore side remodeled 2 bedroom. Recently one of the Roanoke Reef homes sold as well. It was adjacent to the parking garage there and on the inside of the dock. It was listed as a two bedroom, but had a small office that could be used to sleep in for more space. It had one of the best roof top decks I have ever seen! Listing price was $1,400,000 and it sold for full price in 30 days!

The verdict? Seattle floating homes are a good investment and selling well – even in the fall months last year, they still sold well. It truly is the ultimate in Seattle waterfront living.

Seattle Floating Homes MLS Market Highlight

Seattle’s Eastlake Neighborhood: The sun is peeking out here and there in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood today. In Seattle we seem to get all seasons rotating throughout the day so you never know what to wear – I end up keeping a fleece in the car most of the time.

I was actually down on the Eastlake houseboat docks previewing a brand new listing for a floating home on The Log Foundation dock – one of them anyway.    There are two Eastlake floating homes for sale right there in that part of Fairview currently  – both in the upper $700k range in the MLS.

2025 Fairview Ave E – Houseboat E is a great new Seattle floating home MLS listing put on by Jennifer Nelson (photos courtesy of Jennifer Nelson). It is spacious and bright with wide open spaces and tons of great professionally remodeled touches while keeping the traditional Seattle houseboat charm intact.

Enjoy the expansive master suite like no other in the floating homes colony and colorful gardening from your rooftop deck and lower decks.  The view of Lake Union and the city is impressive to say the least.

Other perks of this floating home on The Log Foundation dock? How about the fact that this dock is highly maintained and the dues are low.

This home also happens to be right on the Cheshiahud Loop (Lake Union Loop) and very close to the streetcar for great access into Downtown Seattle.  Eastlake is already known for its easy commuting attributes, but you literally could live car less on this dock with no lack of convenience.  This one is open 1-4 on Sunday or feel free to get in touch with me for a private tour anytime.

I adore that part of Fairview and Eastlake in general quite a bit.  The sun wasn’t out until half way through my tour this AM, but hopefully it will warm up as those big puffy clouds float around the sky.

If you want to go on a houseboat tour and see one of the floating homes available in Eastlake or Westlake right now let me know.  There is a great starter priced floating home in Westlake at $365,500 (Westlake Cove)and then there are three in Eastlake  – the two on The Log Foundation docks and then one at Roanoke Reef.  All are great options at various price points for Seattle floating homes.

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