Seattle Houseboats 2020 Top Questions Answered
Aside From Our Listing Inquiries, These Are The Top Questions About Seattle Houseboats From 2020
We kept track this year and aside from appointments and questions about the incredible Seattle floating home listings and sales we had this year, these are the top other Seattle houseboats questions we received from online inquiries.
What is the difference between a houseboat and a floating home?
My original explanation is that “houseboats” is the umbrella term which covers floating homes, liveaboard vessels, and barges (and now FOWRs). I still argue that this is historically correct because even the Seattle Floating Homes Association has called our floating home tour a Houseboat Tour in days gone by.
***Small disclaimer. I live on a floating home.***
Some of the historical Lake Union buffs and “old timers” like me still call “floating homes” “houseboats” from time to time. I personally consider them interchangeable, except that the modern definition of a houseboat and a floating home are two different things now. Both get to enjoy the lake lifestyle, though….
Enter The FOWR System
The city came up with a plaque system and now we have and official category: Floating On Water Residence (FOWR). So I am still personally arguing that houseboats is the umbrella term which covers everyone on the lake including floating homes, FOWRs, and barges. I am usually outvoted by most on this point, but I will probably always call my floating home a houseboat regardless. In any case, most are correct. An actual houseboat by today’s standards in Seattle is a FOWR and I live in a floating home. The simplest explanation is that a houseboat is more “boaty”. It is built on a hull and has boat systems in place for water and waste in most cases. There are some incredible houseboat options lately that are actually connected to the sewer, too. A floating home is built on a floating foundation, is mostly permanently moored and always connected to the city’s sewer, water, and electrical. My apologies. If I have confused you, call me and I will try and explain again.
A couple examples of a floating homes and a FOWR which we happen to have listed currently: Here is a Floating home and here is FOWR
How much does a houseboat cost in Seattle? How much do floating homes cost?
That is a good question. This year we saw overall houseboats sales range from $90,000 to $4,500,000 for for all types of houseboats including floating homes. Two floating home sales hit the four million dollars and over mark for the first time. There are 56 sales in the MLS as of this moment and we know there are two additional ones closing and also at least a few that sold off market completely out of the mls. This is why it is so very important to tell us what you are looking for. We are highly networked into this amazing community and we can help you secure your Lake Union home!

Where are the houseboats in Seattle? Where is the best place to live on a houseboat?
Anywhere. There is a saying that basically says if you are lucky enough to live on a houseboat then you are lucky enough. This is so true. This lifestyle is like none other. Whether you are on a floating home or a houseboat, you are living a similar lake life. Living on Lake Union is like nothing else. It is an incredible contrast of urban and natural settings married together perfectly. The people that live on the lake are all interesting and life is never dull. This map needs to be updated to include larger houseboat collections..
Can you rent a houseboat in Seattle?
Yes and no. We get so many calls about nightly rental inquiries. In short, it isn’t allowed. http://www.seattleafloat.com/seattle-floating-homes-airbnb-resource/
Can you live on a boat in Seattle? Yes… but a houseboat is more convenient.
Seattle Houseboats Realtors and Your Advocates:
Let us tour you through this beautiful floating home! We are Seattle Floating homes experts and here to be your absolute advocates when it comes to houseboats living. We can help you from start to finish and beyond and welcome you to our beloved neighborhood. Have questions? 206-850-8841 [email protected]
NWMLS Changes How Some Houseboats Are Treated So We Won’t Have Any More Boats
In recent years all houseboats have been listed in the NWMLS whether they were floating homes, vessels, or barges. This opened the door for a broader definition of houseboat and in some cases we saw vessels in the MLS that were practically ski boats being listed by real estate agents. I am exaggerating of course, but you get my point.
The MLS has recently ruled that they will not allow any houseboats that are or have ever been registered as vessels in the MLS. This caused many listings in the last week or so to be deleted without warning even though I personally think they should have been grandfathered in and allowed until expiration. Never the less, they were deleted.
We deal mostly in floating homes, but we are SeattleAfloat.com so we have sold all types of houseboats. In addition to the Seattle floating homes we have listed right now, we also have a house barge. Until today we also had a vessel houseboat listed in the MLS. Our client is actually lucky because they happen to have a houseboat AND an owned moorage slip in Gas Works Park Marina. As Realtors in the MLS we are allowed to list moorage slips so the slip is listed now and the “houseboat is included for the buyer’s convenience”.
Seattle floating homes owners: What does this mean to you?
If you are confused, you are not alone. However, this is what we are here for. Let me know if you have questions or need details on how to sell your Seattle houseboat. [email protected]