Author Archives: Courtney Cooper Neese, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Group, Keller Williams North Seattle, courtneycooper@kw.com, 206-850-8841
Home / Archived Article(s) by Author: Courtney Cooper Neese, Realtor, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Group, Keller Williams North Seattle, courtneycooper@kw.com, 206-850-8841
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
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?
Westlake Floating Home For Sale – Booking showings now. $1,895,000Lake 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. $395,000Gorgeous 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!
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 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.
Most Seattle houseboats move around to different docks more frequently than Seattle floating homes do. There are a few Seattle houseboats that are hooked up to city sewer, but the others have black water tanks and can be mobile. Seattle floating homes on the other hand are far less mobile and don’t usually move around. We have seen just a couple dozen or so moved in the last decade and a half. This morning, the Gold Coast of Portage Bay was treated to an incredible show as Fremont Tug adeptly maneuvered a very large float up a very narrow channel.
Fremont Tug carefully inching “The Cougar House” up the channel to the open Bay to make it’s way to a “shipyard”.
Seattle floating homes usually remain where they are moored these days, although they used to move around more before we were hooked up to sewer in the 1960s. Back then, most of the floating homes were on leased docks and they moved around depending on the moorage rate or where there was space. These days most of our docks have been converted to cooperative or condo and so our homes stay put.
So when and why do Seattle Floating Homes move?
There are lots of reasons why Seattle floating homes can be moved, but it still does not occur often. Basically it’s the four R’s: Repairs, Reconstruction, Replacement, Relocation.Repairs and reconstruction can be done on site without moving the home and usually they are, but sometimes the logistics of contractors parking, loading, and going up and down docks is just too disruptive when compared to moving the home out to a dedicated waterside work yard. If a repair is major enough then it needs to be moved to a “shipyard” to work on more extensive fixes. Reconstruction would be when someone wants to take the current home down to the float and rebuild or make a huge change to the outer shell.
Replacement is when you take the existing old dilapidated houseboat and float and replace with a new one of the same footprint. That has happened quite a bit over the last decade and beyond. It’s getting hard to find really great historical floating homes that haven’t been destroyed. The city has a “net zero” policy currently so if you bring a new one in, then you have to take an old one out.
Lastly relocation. This happens when a floating home owner wants or needs to change locations. Usually this happens when their floating home is in a leased slip and they would like to either move to a different leased slip or buy a slip to put their home in. In addition if a floating home owner is not paying their moorage rent then they are subject to eviction. Floating home owners who wish to relocate their homes, must pay for the logistics of doing so which involves unhooking and rehooking and moving in and and out all of their neighbors. Then they must do the same for the new dock. It can cost upwards of $75,000 depending on the specific details. Slips for floating homes currently begin at $600,000 and go up to $2M depending on dock position and location. Usually you have to find a dilapidated floating home in a coop or condo owned slip and then buy it with the intention of demolishing the old one and replacing it with your relocated home. They have to be similar in size and you are not allowed to occupy a larger footprint than the current one you are going to demolish. This may require cutting down your floating home to a size that matches. This is just the tip of the iceberg on the process, but you get the idea. They don’t move often.
Are You Interested in Learning More About Seattle Floating Homes?
If you are interested in living on the lake…. Choose someone who lives in the community.
Yes! I live in a floating home full time and I am a Realtor who specializes in them. I have spent years protecting and loving this special place we call home. Because of this I am organically networked into the community versus a broker who doesn’t live in Seattle or currently on a dock. I am on the board for the Floating Homes Association and also for the dock I live on. You need a specialist. Email, Call or text me anytime. 206-850-8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com
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.
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
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
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
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.
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!)
Westlake waterfront of Lake Union shows our incredible community form this perspective,
Earthquake Bathtub Sloshing Effect Verified on Seattle Houseboats
Do we feel earthquakes? This is one of the questions We get when we talk to new prospective neighbors for our Seattle houseboats and Seattle floating homes communities. They want to know how Seattle floating homes feel during an earthquake.
If you have lived in one of the Seattle floating homes (or one of the houseboats) for any number of years, you may have felt the effect of an earthquake somewhere. Every once in a while the floating houses on Lake Union just move for no apparent reason – earthquake or not. I remember the first time I experienced this strange phantom moving during an inspection for an end of dock floating home in Eastlake.
Local legend Sid McFarland was checking the house out for us and I asked him what it was. He told me every once in a while it just happens. Wise words from a lovely man whom we sorely miss in our community. I am also reminded of the time I asked him how people could live on docks with children as I held the hand of my then two year old son wearing a life jacket. He looked at me sideways and said “they watch them”. He was so great and I am thankful I was able to learn from him early on.
Helpful Reading Resource For More on Our Floating Homes Community
If you want to read more about Sid, I love the chapter of Jeri Callahan’s Staying Afloat book called The Moving Man. It is sold in the FHA’s Houseboatique if you want a copy – We are also happy to include it in our housewarming gift to you when you purchase a floating home with us of course!
Later on, I felt those movements. For Seattle earthquakes, it was a weird vibrating in my house much like the washing machine on spin cycle as the ground shook our dock pilings and moved my mooring arms. And then there is the occasional sloshing as strange rollers bounce back and forth across Portage Bay for no apparent reason. There is an explanation though. Seattle floating homes during an earthquake or similar event can feel more movement from places far away.
Verifying Seattle Floating Homes During An Earthquake From Some Of The Experts On The Lake
Betty said oh yes, she had felt many earthquakes over the years. She then described the seiche effect that our houseboats community experienced from an earthquake that occurred in Alaska. She told me about the house lifting in a swelling of the water and then just kind of dropping. Then of course as the water bounced back and forth across Portage Bay there was a tea cup effect. This lined up very well with the Raleigh waves that Ed Waddington described in the article as feeling much like a “bathtub sloshing”. He went on to say that it feels very different than normal boat traffic wake waves. Even with this occasional sloshing I personally feel the safest in my floating home during an earthquake.
Funny as I write this and review my notes from the article, I can’t help but notice that Betty is also published in this same issue. She served this community well always and was on the Environmental Committee of the FHA at the time. Of course she was. What a lady. What a community!
Let us know what your experiences have been during various shakes on the lake. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com If you are interested in living in our community on the lake, please reach out to us. We work very hard to always serve the community first and love the people here. We are Seattle Afloat – Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841.
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 floatinghome 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
There are only a few Seattle floating homes for sale right now…
South facing on a well organized dock, this great Seattle floating home has incredible upwards potential. Don’t miss your chance to get your feet wet in the least expensive Seattle waterfront property option. Lake Union is an incredible place to call home!
Looking at Seattle floating homes? Courtney at the SeattleAfloat / Cooper Jacobs Real Estate team bring you another fantastic Eastlake Seattle floating home for sale ready for your own personal design! We love the generous light and roomy spaces of this gorgeous ultimate in city Seattle waterfront property. Hardwoods throughout the main level extending to your back french doors offer constantly changing reflections from the water just outside your doorsteps. A super cozy free standing gas fireplace huddles in the corner, one full bath and a bedroom on the main plus lofty space/bedroom upstairs. This one has a tremendous amount of storage as far as Seattle houseboats living goes. Two fantastic decks to welcome the southern exposure on a wonderful Co-Op dock. Never miss a sunrise or sunset again, and tie your boat up to the house for easy access to all that Lake Union has to offer.
Just $799,000, this Seattle floating home has an extremely large float and there are views of the Space Needle and city from the upstairs floor. We will have this open on Sunday 2/17/2019 from 1-4PM and look forward to seeing you then. If you are interested in seeing it prior to that time, please let us know. We are happy to offer you a private showing. You can schedule a showing here or call/text/message/email us. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com 206-850-8841
Imagine sitting on this South facing deck with the gentle waves from passing boat traffic lapping against the float of your home. This one is listed currently and open on Sunday.
We are the premiere Seattle floating homes experts and happy to show you this floating home or other floating homes on the market. call/text 206-850-8841
Life Afloat In Seattle is one of the most interesting and unique lifestyles in the city. If you are lucky enough to live on one of our floating homes, then you are lucky indeed.
Seattle Houseboats Living For Under $500k! (Equity Potential Alert)
It is difficult to get your feet wet in the Seattle floating homes market for under $500,000. This is an opportunity to take a solid fixer floating home and make it shine. Seattle floating homes typically trade for around $900 a square foot with a variance of course for features such as a roof top deck, moorage, dock position, parking, pet policy, etc., but a good rule of thumb is $900/ sq ft which puts this one close to $550,000 minimum and likely closer to $625k fixed up because it does have great dock position.
“We are constantly asked if there is a ‘Good Deal’ in the Seattle Floating Homes market…” – Courtney
The only “Good Deal” is one you work for and you have to put the work in. We can find them for you. Imagine what you could do with this great room concept! And imagine the Fourth Of July parties you could host in the heart of Lake Union! Buyers love the rustic look of the wood ceilings and it is easy to turn this historic classic into a modern oasis in the city because of the easy interior spaces already in place. Add a slick modern color palette and the combination of historical meets modern is something that no one can resist.
At 611 square feet and an open concept, the price and size combined with lifestyle beats the heck out of living in a Belltown or South Lake Union condo and you are waterfront. This is the most affordable in city living and the most affordable Seattle waterfront living. Come home form work and let your troubles fly away as you walk down the dock. You can have all your water toys right there hanging on your house and you can kayak off your beautiful “back door” in the channel between houseboat rows. Forget trying to drag your canoe down to Lake Union Park and launching it. Have it at your feet anytime.
This particular floating home is on a coop dock. This is similar to a condo in that your slip ownership is more secure. You are not leasing the slip. You are buying a piece of history and have the opportunity to put your stamp on a blank canvas. We are excited to help your Seattle Waterfront Living lifestyle dreams come true!
Call/Text Courtney Cooper at 206-850-8841 for more info or for your own private showing. You can also email us at houseboats@cooperjacobs.com. We are Seattle floating homes specialists and experts on the lake. We would love to talk to you about Seattle Waterfront Living and Life Afloat in Seattle! It’s a special lifestyle and there are lots of interesting differences between living on water and living on land.
3110 Portage Bay Place E #F – Seattle Floating Home Listed Today!
Looking for Seattle floating homes for sale? At the end of this quiet dead end street is one fantastic Seattle floating home for sale – equipped with all the splash you come to expect from living on the lake in Portage Bay.
Generous spaces in this Portage Bay floating home allow for a flexible floor plan including a large master bed and bath capturing killer views of the canal. Three rooms in all, a remodeled bathroom, and a charming kitchen with tons of storage.
Huge accessory raft for kayaks, moorage for your boat, and an enclosed deck for privacy. One reserved parking spot and NO DUES! $799,000
2 + Bedroom
1.75 Bath
Built in 1960
Accessory Float
Boat Moorage
Parking
Owned Slip
NO Dues!
Call/Text Courtney Cooper at 206-850-8841 for more info or for your own private showing. You can also email us at houseboats@cooperjacobs.com. We are Seattle floating homes specialists and experts on the lake. We would love to talk to you about Seattle Waterfront Living and Life Afloat in Seattle! It’s a special lifestyle and there are lots of interesting differences between living on water and living on land.
Westlake is an extremely special Seattle floating homes community in Lake Union. Every corner of this Westlake floating home is thoughtful and well designed. Westlake floating homes rarely become available for sale and this one is a jewel in Lake Union. Located right on the Cheshiahud Loop with a quick commute to Downtown Seattle or South Lake Union, this is an ideal place to call home and truly live the most amazing Seattle waterfront lifestyle available.
Marketing Remarks From the MLS listing for this Seattle Floating Home:
2420 Westlake Ave N #12 Near the end of this private dock sits an amazing floating home built to perfection. The aged steel and cedar siding accentuates its rugged exterior; while inside the heated radiant concrete floors give way to warm teak casework and dancing walls of natural light. Enjoy cooking in your top of the line kitchen including gas cooktop and sleek eat-in kitchen island. For those entertainers, head on up to the massive rooftop deck and gas fire pit to admire the forever changing views of Lake Union. $2,250,000 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com
Tour Seattle’s Floating Home community: It Happens Every two years…
Seattle Floating homes Tour: The biannual Seattle Floating Homes Association Tour is Sunday September 2011 and I am surprised there are still tickets left! You can grab yours here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2585184
It’s your chance to tour some of the special Seattle floating homes in Portage Bay. This year the entire tour will be centered around Seattle houseboats in Portage Bay – thirteen of them plus the University Bridge which is a rare treat to peek inside the bridge tender’s work quarters.
According to the latest floating home tour promotion postcard that went out on the event: “This year’s Tour will give visitors the unique chance to visit and discover the colorful history of 13 floating homes hidden along the seldom visited banks of Portage Bay. ”
This tour is something that is very near and dear to our hearts. We work very hard at every tour doing a variety of jobs. The last two tours, I have put together the actual tickets and promotional posters and I really enjoy reading about the houses. It is an amazing gift to our community that these houseboat home owners are willing to so generously open up their personal spaces so that the public may learn about our Seattle floating community. None of these homes are for sale and this is not a real estate agent’s promotional tour. These are coveted homes that are on display for a limited time during the tour.
Just got word that we are still also looking for volunteers. Here is the message on the latest postcard I put out to the community:
Welcome To A Rare Portage Bay Floating Homes Opportunity On The Shelby Dock!
Live Life Afloat In Seattle™ Coveted Portage Bay Floating Homes: This Seattle floating home is located on the coveted Shelby Dock in Portage Bay and has not changed hands in nearly four decades. Rarely do you get the opportunity to live in such a magical place, but one has presented itself in this beautifully and lovingly renovated floating home towards the end of the dock. Seattle Houseboats are a spectacular Seattle Waterfront Living Opportunity always, but this particular one truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are so excited to bring it to the Seattle floating homes market and look forward to showing it to you! There will be no open houses – only exclusive showings so call or text Seattle Floating Homes Expert Realtor – You can also email us at Houseboats@CooperJacobs.com
Here are the MLS remarks for this Portage Bay Floating Home:
Life on the shores of Portage Bay is a unique lifestyle like no other. Enjoy a comfortable 2 bedroom, 2 bath floating home with over 1200 square feet of lake living. Views of the lapping water as you sip your morning coffee before launching your SUP or kayak. Gleaming hardwoods on the main and a charming updated bathroom plus guest room. Lots of room for all your toys & fabulous entertaining home.Large master suite including private office, covered deck, & bonus room upstairs. Own your moorage! $945,000 and won’t last. 1213 E Shelby St #13
Call/Text us for more info or for your own private showing. There will be no open houses, so please call for an appointment. 206-850-8841
Highly sought after Wards Cove is an exclusive gated luxury floating home community in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood.
No need to settle or downsize to take advantage of this quintessential Seattle waterfront lifestyle because this home has it all. Miele appliances, Quartz counter tops, Italian Sandstone floors, Italian cabinetry, more. Aside from the thoughtful details and sleek upscale finish work, enjoy the roof top deck, secured parking, and moorage for your companion boat. $3,200,000
Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 Courtney@CooperJacobs.com
Seattle Houseboats for Sale: 2331 Fairview Ave E, Slip X
Seattle Floating Home Just Listed and available for the first time in 20 years!
Looking at Lake Union and Seattle houseboats? Living on Lake Union is one of the most amazing Seattle lifestyles!
It is interesting because usually when we hear about a Seattle floating home that hasn’t been on the market for two decades, we wince a little and wonder what kind of project we may be walking into. Seattle houseboats can be quite dilapidated at times and there are many older ones which have much deferred maintenance. That is absolutely not the case with this Seattle floating home located at 2331 Fairview Ave E in Slip X. It is simply stunning and makes me want to sit down and have a glass of wine and chat with the neighbors on a warm sunny day with the water lapping at my toes.
The pictures tell a beautiful story of a love affair with a home which is quite obvious at first glance, but look further at the details which have gone into this home over the years and it is difficult to not be impressed. From the exterior being painted in the last five years to the stringers being replaced as needed, inside and out there are upgrades and detailed maintenance tasks like none we have seen before. From the gas lines and new electrical and windows to the raised ceiling, vaulted ceilings, and sunny skylights, this home is comfortable for modern living. The kitchen is upscale with both an eating bar and a dining room with French doors out to the deck. There are the seldom found in a floating home luxuries of gas cooking, a gas fireplace, and on-demand hot water, plus additional practical bigger ticket items like a new roof in 2010. Two bedrooms, a bath, and lots of character await you here with an asking price of only $650,000.
Here are the MLS listing remarks for our brand new Seattle floating homes listing on Lake Union:
Picture yourself living a fabulous Lake Union waterfront lifestyle in this beautiful Seattle floating home. Well maintained and remodeled, this south facing home has a sunny disposition and is the perfect place to let the summer in. Gorgeous kitchen with upscale appliances has eating bar and dining room with warm wood floors and French doors that open up to your own private deck retreat. Listen to the seaplanes while you sip coffee or take your kayak or SUP out for a jaunt on the lake without the heavy lifting.
It’s a great place and you won’t be disappointed. Please let us know if you are interested in Seattle houseboats for sale. We are happy to help!
Seattle Floating Homes Market Update – Catching Up With Lake Union Houseboats, The Shelby Dock, and Recent Sales
There has been some activity in the Seattle real estate market afloat. There Are FOUR ACTIVE Seattle Floating Homes For Sale Currently ranging in price from $725,000 to $799,000. They are located on The Shelby Dock in Portage Bay and The Log Foundation Dock in Eastlake.
Seattle floating homes for sale are few and far between and each one is somewhat different or greatly different. You really need to know what your must haves and would be nice to have list is before you begin looking. Then, be prepared to adjust that list further, because chances are that your list won’t match anything out there. To begin with there are only around 500 of these Seattle floating homes. They come in many different variations, but it is rare to find one that truly checks all of the boxes so compromise is common. There are four Seattle floating homes for sale right now in the MLS. In addition to these, we know of at least four more that are interested in selling or will be on the market soon. We won’t talk about these in this article, but please feel free to reach out if you are interested in hiring us to represent you so that you have true access to EXACTLY what is going on in the market.
Private Sales, FSBO, Bring Your Buyers To Us????
NOT. If you want the most money for your property in the least amount of time, LIST IT.There has been a trend for Seattle houseboats sellers to want to pick our brains and learn about the market and try to sell the home off market on their own. This does a huge disservice to YOU and to your return on investment, FYI. The open Seattle real estate market is the only way to get the most money for what might be your biggest investment. We can usually get you more than enough extra in sales numbers to warrant the additional expense of having your floating home sale handled by an actual seasoned veteran who knows everything about Seattle floating homes. We have all the resources at our finger tips, have worked years to have the relationships that you will find vital, and we are Seattle Houseboats Experts.
A Note On The Shelby Dock in Portage Bay…
The Shelby Dock is located at 1213 E Shelby Street in Portage Bay. It offers easy access to University of Washington and Downtown Seattle and is home to many adorable Seattle floating homes. So why are three of the four Seattle floating homes for sale located on the Shelby Dock (The Seattle floating homes for sale on the Shelby Dock that are active currently range in price from $725,000 to $799,000)? There are a number of reasons why homeowners buy and sell at any given time. Consider yourself lucky that there are so many choices at this time, PLUS the dock is being replaced and will be an unbelievable asset to future living there. We are excited to see the progress and look forward to showing you any of these special homes. As one of the lucky homeowners on The Shelby Dock put it, “those interested in living in one of the quieter floating homes neighborhoods have a rare opportunity to choose from a variety of floating home styles and sizes on this well organized floating homes dock”.
What Else Is Going On With Seattle Floating Homes?
There is a CONTINGENT Seattle floating home listed at $950,000 and a Pending Inspection floating home listed in at $735,000 – Both in Eastlake. Contingent means that they are under contract, but that it is contingent on them selling their current home. There is some seller financing available on at least one of the actives. Reach out to us and let us know how we can help:
Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 Courtney@CooperJacobs.com
Thinking About Life On Lake Union And Want More Reasons To Live In One Of The Seattle Houseboats?
Seattle Houseboats Living is like no other Seattle lifestyle and here are 29 reasons why:
Uniqueness: There is no other lifestyle in Seattle that is like living in one of the Seattle houseboats. Seattle floating homes are iconic and offer the best of many Seattle neighborhoods, plus an affordable Seattle waterfront living option.
Community: There is a strong sense of community among your floating neighbors – both in a micro climate sense such as on a particular dock or co-op, and also as a community overall. Seattle houseboats are community.
Characters: Because of the uniqueness of the Seattle waterfront living way of life, Seattle houseboats are appealing to extremely unique and special people. There are a wide variety of different personality types that fit perfectly into these Seattle floating homes and neighborhoods, but all of them are special!
Alternative In City Living/Location: Want to be close to it all, but not live in a condo or a townhome or a stand alone house? A Seattle floating home offers the best of all worlds and also is highly oriented to the water so it is a perfect alternative lifestyle in Seattle – and desirable as well.
Water Sports – Want to be able to launch your kayak from your house? Stand Up Paddleboard? You might be able to even tie your water ski boat, sailboat, or electric boat up right to your house. If you are interested in living a Seattle floating home that you can moor your companion boat next to, then make sure and look for a houseboat that offers moorage. Some co-ops allow moorage, but only after moving in and getting the dock’s permission. Other floating home it is more clear up front. Either way, it is a great opportunity!
Water Therapy: There is nothing more therapeutic than the soft lapping of the water outside your home or being able to dip your toes into the lake on a beautiful Seattle summer day full of warm sunshine.
Nature: There isn’t another place in city that is this much in touch with nature while still living in an urban setting. Lake Union is full of nature – you even have to choose your potted plants wisely so they don’t become goose buffets. Baby ducklings are the most fun to watch for many visitors.
Transit: Take full advantage of Seattle’s best transit because you are close to not only buses, but also the Seattle Streetcar line in South Lake Union! This is a great option for heading into Downtown Seattle!
The Lake Union Loop – Or Cheshiahud Trail loops around Lake Union and joins neighborhoods and parks together.
Cheshiahud Loop: The Cheshiahud Loop or Lake Union Loop is a 6.2 mile path that connects pocket parks and neighborhoods and basically loops Lake Union. There are historical markers along the way and lots to see. If you live in a floating home in Eastlake, Westlake, Fremont or a houseboat in Wallingford (Northlake), then you are basically on the loop. Floating home in Portage Bay close to the University Bridge are also on the loop.
Duck Dodge: Tuesday Nights beginning in May offer some of the most fascinating evenings of entertainment if you like to watch sailboats race in a tight space. The Duck Dodge is a Lake Union tradition and a definite fixture in Seattle houseboat living. You can see the schedule here: http://www.duckdodge.org/schedule.php
Floating Lifestyle Parade Of Entertainment: People watching at its best is here, folks! Swimmers, rafts, boaters, SUPS, kayaks, canoes, races, booze cruises, etc. It’s all here. Even if you are a shut in, it is completely entertaining to watch life literally float by you. This is especially true at the end of the dock or if your floating home backs up to a large channel.
July 4th: Lake Union is the very center of July Fourth in Seattle. Everyone wants to be on a boat, a floating home, at Gas Works or South Lake Union Parks, or along the shores of the lake in the various pocket parks along the loop. July 4th is a major event in Seattle. There is a fireworks barge in the middle of the lake and a beautiful professional show is hammered out each year. It’s an event. If you live on a floating home, you are every one’s new best friend. A couple tips for you on the Fourth of July: Have all your shopping completed the day before and do not move your car form its parking spot at all on the day of the holiday. If you do, then you will find yourself without a spot to park. July 4th and New Year’s Eve are the two days we leave our cars where they are and walk in Eastlake. Parking is relatively simple the rest of the year. Second tip: If you have a rooftop deck and plan on having a party make sure that your home is not top heavy and out of balance with a lot of people. I recall one year on the Seattle Floating Home Tour, we had to regulate how many people toured the roof of one house. Each house is different and if you know that your flotation is dispersed perfectly and that you have adequate flotation, then no big deal, but if it’s a question, then keep it in check.
New Year’s Eve: This time the fireworks are at the Space Needle and oh what a show that is! Again Lake Union is the center of life in Seattle and you ave a front row seat to the show. Lucky you! Same tips apply regarding parking and roof top deck…
Iconic Lifestyle is Limited: There are only around 500 Seattle floating homes in Seattle and a few are added or taken away through the years leaving us with roughly the same number. It is a limited lifestyle. It is iconic. It is in demand.
Proximity to Downtown Seattle: This is as close as you can live to Downtown Seattle without being in Belltown, South Lake Union, Pioneer Square, or Downtown Seattle itself.
Christmas Ships: Argosy does an annual Christmas Ship Festival. It’s beautiful and living on Lake Union is a great way to be able to watch the parade go by. It is just beautiful to see decorated boats with holiday lights.
Boat to Dinner: My favorites are Chandlers at the South end of the lake and Ivars at the North end of the lake. Both have great places to tie up while you eat and both have amazing food!
Walk To Dinner: Lake Union is surrounded by great places to eat and all different styles – from Mexican to Pacific Northwest seafood, and beyond, Seattle is known for its food and many of these award winning places are in the heart of the city which we call Lake Union.
Louisa’s Cafe: Louisa’s is a staple of Eastlake and there is no clearer indicator of that than the pictures on Yelp – this is the meeting place of the Eastlake neighborhood and the Seattle floating homes community.
Serafina: Touted as one of the most amazing Italian restaurants in all of Seattle, Serafina is just up the street from the docks of Eastlake in Lake Union. Want to check out their menu? http://serafinaseattle.com/
Pete’s Wines: Down by the water in Eastlake is the very best wine shop in Seattle – plus small grocery and deli, this place is part of the culture of Seattle floating home life in Eastlake.
Blue Ribbon Cooking School
Bocce Ball Named in Seattle Weekly as one of the best waterfront Bocce locations, don’t miss the Eastlake Bouledrome along Fairview Ave E.
Pocket Parks: A considerable amount of effort has gone into making in city green spaces in Seattle and the pocket parks around Lake Union are a big part of that! Open Seattle waterfront parks are a perfect place to chill out and reflect on your day.
P Patch: Large open space for growing vegetables lake side – always fun to see what magic has been created here as we walk the Lake Union Loop!
Excitement: There is always something going on around Lake Union – it is exciting and an exciting way to live!
Best Place To Write Your Novel: A perfect place to settle in and use the water for inspiration – Living on a floating home is the perfect place to finally write that novel you have always wanted to! Use the people and places for your inspiration. Settle in and make it happen!
Best Place To Fall In Love: It’s a romantic lifestyle – why not use that to your advantage – If I were a single guy looking for love, I know for a fact that a floating home would be a total chic magnet.
Sound Investment: Because there are limited supplies and it is in city and waterfront, this is a sound investment real estate wise. Even when the market went down in 2007, Seattle floating homes did not – it is a stable uptick in values similar to no other in the market.
Curious and want to see more Seattle houseboats?
Today a lovely Seattle floating home in Eastlake is having an open house. It is Open Today From 1-4 PM 2207 Fairview Ave E #11, Seattle WA 98102 We will be hosting this Seattle houseboats open house and is an expert in the floating homes in Seattle. It is a beautiful Seattle floating home and an event you won’t want to miss and located on a fabulous dock.
Come see it! It’s gorgeous and you can start to take advantage of all 29 reasons to live on a Seattle floating home right now! -Courtney
Caratello is the Italian word for a small barrel which holds dessert wine, and this new construction state of the art floating on water residence lives up to her sweet reputation. Just listed on Lake Union, this 2 story Seattle houseboat for sale at 11 E Allison St offers so much for anyone interested: The Caratello houseboat has a fully equipped gourmet kitchen including stainless appliances, clever nooks, artful finish work, and more. A wine lover’s paradise, there are thoughtful details throughout including employing the old custom of using wine for ballast.
Two Bedrooms
Large closets
Office nook
1.25 Baths
Laundry on main level
749 Sq Feet
Condo Owned Slip is 48 x 15 feet and in an excellent location on Lake Union in Eastlake
stairs and hatch to rooftop
floor is engineered in sections to be lifted out for storage
Taxes on houseboat are $1378.25/year
Taxes on slip are $1935/yr
Monthly Home Owner Dues: $256
Pets allowed
Seattle Houseboats for Sale: The Basics of Caratello Located at 11 E Allison Street in Eastlake:
Introducing Caratello, a new construction floating on water residence in Seattle. “Caratello” is the Italian word for a small barrel used to make dessert wine. Roomier than one would expect with such a name, this 2 story houseboat delivers w/ fully equipped gourmet kitchen, 2 bedrooms, & much more. Of course as her name implies, Caratello’s hold is also the perfect location for your wine collection. Designed by Gene Morris, engineered by Craig Goring & built at Lake Union Dry Dock. Condo Slip! $799,000 – NWMLS Listing # 887777
Additional info about the Caratello Houseboat you won’t want to miss:
Caratello was designed by Gene Morris at Lagerquist and Morris in Ballard
Engineered by Craig Goring a marine engineer out of Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands
Built at Lake Union Dry Dock.
The crane that launched the Caratello houseboat is the same one that built the Aurora Bridge in 1930
Has an independent 12 volt electrical system for lighting, navigational lights and equipment, and utilities.
Tankage includes 150 gallons of potable water, 150 gallons gray water, and 150 gallons for black water.
Capacity for 150 Cases of wine in hold (!!!) and its the perfect place to store wine!
We can immediately answer your Seattle Houseboats, Seattle waterfront homes or Seattle floating homes questions. If you prefer, you can also email us at houseboats@CooperJacobs.com.
Seattle Houseboats market report for Lake Union floating homes as of mid January 2016: Inventory is still at a low with only one Seattle floating home for sale on the market. In the last month, according to the NWMLS, in the world of Seattle houseboats for sale, not two Seattle floating homes have closed in escrow. There are always some private sale, but overall, the entire Lake Union homes real estate market is quite slow. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t buyers waiting in the wings of their chance to make their dreams come true and live Life Afloat In Seattle!
Two Seattle floating homes have closed in escrow over the last month which were listed for sale in the MLS. Or do them on the Dox cooperative dock in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood was a three bedroom floating home with a whopping 2.75 baths. This Seattle houseboat was featured in recent years on the Seattle Floating Homes Tour (2012 I believe..), and was listed for $925,000 and sold for $925,000. No surprise because a three bedroom floating home is quite difficult to find and especially for under a million dollars! The other Seattle floating home for sale is also in Eastlake on the Lake Union dock – also a cooperative dock. This one is a two bedroom one bathroom home that was listed at just under five hundred thousand dollars and closed at $475,000.
So both sales of these Seattle houseboats categorized as floating homes occurred in Eastlake. Eastlake is where most Seattle floating homes are sold in general because this Lake Union neighborhood has the largest concentration of these Seattle Houseboats on the lake. You can also find Seattle floating homes in Westlake, Portage Bay – both on the Capitol Hill side and the University District side on Boat Street, and there is a great dock in Fremont as well – so Northlake. Please let us know if you are interested in Seattle houseboats.
We specialize in Seattle’s favorite neighborhoods including the Seattle floating homes community and also have vast experience in Seattle waterfront homes. We work in many of Seattle’s neighborhoods and look forward to helping ou buy or sell your next Seattle home – whether by land or sea, we can help and offer a unique perspective to tie it all together.
Please let us know how we can help. You can mail us here: Houseboats@cooperjacobs.com call/text me at 206-850-8841 Thank you! – Courtney
We appreciate your support so much and are so thankful for all our fabulous clients in 2015. The Lake Union Seattle floating home neighborhood is a very special place and means so much to us. Each and every one of you have been so amazing and we thank you and wish you the best for 2016! The weather is so cold out there, but it has still been nice walking weather. We have been getting out there and delivering our thank you gifts as the weather permits. I love this particular map of Lake Union Park in South Lake Union. It is such a great asset to have and it wasn’t so long ago that it was desolate in this area so nice to have it beautiful right in the hood.
There isn’t much in the way of choice right now for floating homes, BUT…. the one that is available is pretty much perfect. SO…… Here is the info on that: 2207 Fairview Ave E, Seattle WA 98102
Listed for $735,000, this Eastlake floating home is the king as far as the basic Seattle floating homes work that has been done for you already. So solid, that it feels like it is built on the ground…
The iconic lifestyle you have only dreamed about! Located in Eastlake’s enclave of floating homes, this mid-dock light and bright Lake Union beauty is completely remodeled with an open floor plan featuring 1 BR + flex space, vaulted ceilings, bamboo fl, & new kitchen! Enjoy cozy extras like heated bathroom floor, new electrical, plumbing, windows & insulation. Enhanced further only by the timeless willow tree that also resides here, this home has a great relationship w/ the lake. Taxes are only $1042 a year.
Seattle Lake Union Christmas Ships Are Back In 2015 –
Map of Parade route on Argosy Cruise site.
Christmas Ships On Lake Union: The 2015 Argosy Cruises Christmas Ships are part of their Christmas Ship Festival has its Parade of Boats Night on December 18th. The Parade of Boats is a long standing Seattle Tradition and a huge party of holiday living on Lake Union. Simply put, the holidays would not be the holidays in Seattle without the Christmas Ships. The holiday boats parade route begins at Fisherman’s Terminal in Magnolia, goes through the Fremont Cut into Lake Union. Northlake and Westlake floating homes are the first to see the beautiful parade of boats come into Lake Union as they make their way South along the west side of the lake before curving back up in South Lake Union and going along their way adjacent to Eastlake. Seattle houseboats in both Westlake and Eastlake have the very best vantage points, but there are a lot of parks along the way and throughout the Lake Union Loop making it an amazing site for all.
More thank just Christmas Ships Passing in 2015 – There are Performances, too!
The parade of Christmas Ships officially begins at 7:45 PM and ends just past Wards Coveat around 8:30. There will be performances along the way including one at Fisherman’s Terminal from 7:30 to 7:45, so get there early if that is your vantage point. Another performance will be at the Fremont Cut from 8:05 to 8:25 so a great place to watch the parade from is the Fremont Canal Park or also along the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Lake Union Holiday Tradition –
The Christmas Ships are a Lake Union tradition and a hug part of Seattle houseboat living and the Seattle holidays overall. It is such a lovely event that Argosy Cruises puts on. There is nothing quite like seeing the beautiful lit up boats parade through Lake Union and surrounding Seattle waterways. The reflections and pure holiday spirit are invigorating and worth every effort in finding parking. The other thing I forgot to mention is that you can register to have your boat in the parade if you like. There will judging as you enter Lake Union and there will be prizes for best decorated vessels in the following categories according to the Argosy site:
1. Peoples’ Choice Award (method of tallying votes TBA)
2. Best In Show
3. Best Seahawks 12’s Boat Theme
4. Best Santa, Reindeer Christmas Theme
5. Most Overall Christmas Lights with Holiday Spirit
6. Best Holiday Decorated Powerboat
7. Best Holiday Decorated Sailboat
8. Best Holiday Decorated Commercial Vessel
We are looking forward to seeing some of the creative Seattle Christmas Ships and can’t wait to be sipping our hot cocoa from our own choice spot on Lake Union. Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about life on Lake Union or in a Seattle floating home. We would love to show you our favorite Lake Union docks and Seattle houseboats. email: houseboat@cooperjacobs.com
Seattle Houseboats For Sale: Just SOLD in Eastlake!
Seattle Houseboats Just Sold: Let’s look at 2019 Fairview Ave E in Lake Union’s Eastlake neighborhood
This particular Seattle floating home has a special place in our hearts due to its sentimental background. Though not as famous as its Sleepless in Seattle cousin across Lake Union, this Seattle houseboat is perhaps just as iconic! Located on one of Eastlake’s longest running and most organized cooperative dock, The Log Foundation, this 1930 floating home has had lots and lots of action – even as it was moored in one place and not moving. It was owned by a very longtime and loved Seattle houseboats resident and the home was practically a floating dance hall in its day. We have recently nicknamed the home “Art” after its previous owner and look forward to seeing the new owners enjoy it as much as he reportedly did. There are lots of stories across the lake about the parties that almost always broke out into full on dance soirees and you can tell just by walking into this houseboat that it has had a happy life. We are so thrilled to see it have a loving new chapter.
A little more about this special home…..
So back to the sale itself – Seattle houseboats for sale always are exciting, but closing one is also a cause for celebration. Congratulations on doing such a great job getting it sold. It closed in escrow on 10/13/2015 at a final sales price of $677,500. The floating home has two bedrooms and is 1300 square feet. It has a rather large float for its size and great dock position. It also is well oriented to the lake which is something you don’t always get. Moorage for a recreational boat is possible alongside the home with the permission of the co-op. It also had extra spaces which could function as an office or another nonconforming bedroom. The home is all one level and has the most charming curved ceilings. I was always very taken in with the large open living space and the beautiful spaces throughout. It never felt like a two bedroom home – more like a home with all kinds of possibilities in every corner. As I write this, I personally regret not buying it myself – such a wonderful place with great energy, but alas, there will be other Seattle houseboats for sale and each one is unique and special.
Please call us if you are interested in learning more about Seattle houseboats for sale – We look forward to helping you buy or sell your next Seattle houseboat, whether it is a Seattle floating home, a house barge, or a floating on-water residence. We are excited to help you learn about the lovely Lake Union as well as Seattle Houseboat Living℠.
Courtney /206-850-8841 | houseboats@cooperjacobs.com
A lot can change in a week. One moved through the Ballard Locks into its new permanent home, One back to Active status in the MLS, one went pending in the MLS and a BIG one just hit the market!
These homes range in price from $750,000 to $3,295,000 for an ultra luxury floating home at Wards Cove. (Remember also that these are theSeattle houseboats that are in the Seattle floating homes category only and do not include other Seattle floating on-water residences.)
Pending Seattle Floating Homes:
These include houseboats that are pending in the MLS under Pending, Pending Inspection, and Pending Feasibility. There are FOUR Seattle floating homes that are currently marked as pending and waiting to close in escrow. These include homes on the Mallard Cove dock, Log Foundation, and The Lake Union and range in price from $499,500 for the pending feasibility listing to $1,395,000 for the beauty at Mallard Cove.
Seattle Floating Homes that have sold in the last 60 days through the MLS –
There have been three Seattle houseboats in this category which have closed in escrow in the last sixty days.
2420 Westlake Ave N #7 we listed this one – pretty great place in Westlake.
2017 Fairview Ave E #K This is on the Log Foundation Dock
You can see full details of these floating homes on the listing sheets here: Seattle houseboats sold 10022015 If you are interested in looking at the various dollar per square foot and market time, then here is an overall market sheet to look at the differences in these numbers: Seattle Floating Homes Market 10022015 Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about Seattle floating homes. We are Seattle houseboats Realtors and love what we do!
OH! I almost forgot the fun part! For years we have been asked about the burned up houseboat in Eastlake and whether or not the owner will sell it. The answer was always no because we knew they were having their dream floating home built in Canada to replace the burned up one in the exact footprint. It happened this last week! Seattle’s newest floating home was floated right through The Ballard Locks and put in place on one of the more perfect days in Seattle. The Locks posted a picture on Facebook.
As of today, 19 Seattle Houseboats (Lake Union floating homes and housebarges only)have closed in escrow through the MLS. There have been many more off market closings on top of that number, but to give you an idea of the increased action on Lake Union, consider this: Last year in all of 2014 in the NWMLS 19 Seattle Floating homes and house barges closed. The entire year. You can see the detail here: Seattle Houseboats sales 2014 When looking at the MLS at this time last year, there were 11 Seattle floating homes and house barges that had closed. Add to that the fact that there are five Seattle floating homes pending in escrow in the MLS right now and 2015 promises to be a record setting year!
So here is what it looks like on the Seattle houseboats market right now:
There are 2 Seattle floating homes for sale that are marked Active in the MLS – priced between $750,000 and $1,495,000 – both of these Seattle houseboats for sale are Eastlake homes as opposed to Westlake or Portage Bay (BTW – there are also Seattle houseboats for rent currently, too, if you want to just try it out). As mentioned above, there are 5 Seattle floating homes that are pending – ranging in price from $179,000 to $1,150,000. Looking at the last 60 days of closed sales for floating homes, there are three:
2420 Westlake Ave N #7 sold for $875,000 on 8/18/2015
2017 Fairview Ave E #K sold for $959,000 on 9/9/2015
A quick note on that last sale above. 2821 Fairview Ave E is Wards Cove and this was our first resale from the Seattle floating homes new construction development in Eastlake. Obviously it was well received on the Seattle real estate market because it sold for 103.63% of its list price! You can see the full listing sheets for these sold Seattle houseboats here: Seattle houseboats SOLD and then details for all of 2015 Sold Seattle floating homes and housebarges here: 2015 Seattle houseboats sales
We look forward to seeing how the year ends in floating homes and housebarge sales in Seattle – please let us know if you need any information at all or are curious about the value of your floating home. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com
SeattleAfloat® Enjoy Life Afloat On Lake Union – Your Authority On Seattle Houseboat Living
Feasibility. There are FOUR Seattle floating homes that are currently marked as pending and waiting to close in escrow. These include homes on the Mallard Cove dock, Log Foundation, and The Lake Union and range in price from $499,500 for the pending feasibility listing to $1,395,000 for the beauty at Mallard Cove.
Seattle Houseboats: 29 Reasons Why You Want One
Thinking About Life On Lake Union And Want More Reasons To Live In One Of The Seattle Houseboats?
Seattle Houseboats Living is like no other Seattle lifestyle and here are 29 reasons why:
The Lake Union Loop – Or Cheshiahud Trail loops around Lake Union and joins neighborhoods and parks together.
Today a lovely Seattle floating home in Eastlake is having an open house. It is Open Today From 1-4 PM 2207 Fairview Ave E #11, Seattle WA 98102 We will be hosting this Seattle houseboats open house and is an expert in the floating homes in Seattle. It is a beautiful Seattle floating home and an event you won’t want to miss and located on a fabulous dock.
Come see it! It’s gorgeous and you can start to take advantage of all 29 reasons to live on a Seattle floating home right now! -Courtney