seattle houseboats

Neighborhood Spotlight on Westlake

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

seattle houseboats for sale in westlake
Westlake views – this dock has a great view of the iconic Sleepless In Seattle home as well as Gas Works Park!

Here are some reasons from one Westlake floating home owner.

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

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

Westlake in short supply per usual

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We are excited to show you this cool neighborhood!

Luxurious Solitude And Peace Redefined

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

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

Seattle Houseboats Living: Moving Into A Floating Home Logistics

Moving by boat… Seattle houseboats living!

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

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

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

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

Seattle Floating Homes – Luxury Details In This New Build

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

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

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

seattle houseboats for sale

Seattle Houseboats: Brand New Finishes In A Classic Floating Home

seattle houseboats

Not much on the market as far as Seattle houseboats go in the floating home world right now. Looking for the charm of a historical home with the sleek finishes of new construction? Interested in living on the water in Seattle? This is Seattle houseboats living at its finest and a great combination of the two things you like best! This is an adorable newly redone from the inside out Portage Bay floating home.

From the marketing remarks for this Seattle floating home for sale in the MLS listing: “A classic floating home bungalow is transformed into a modern, energy efficient home. Newly renovated 2 bed/2 bath floating home in Portage Bay w/ all updated features and systems. Inviting kitchen for the chef includes Fisher Paykel appliances, glass tiles, quartz counters, and hand built wooden cabinets. Master bdrm w/ walk-in closet. Hardwood floors, bountiful natural light, extends to a beautiful sliding door wall maximizing your views to the west. Awesome lifestyle. Boat moorage included!” $1,098,000 email houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Houseboats: Floating Homes Market Report

Seattle Afloat’s Courtney sold three of the FOUR floating homes in the two months.

We are deep into the 2019 holiday season now and we are so thankful for the fabulous year that we have had. We love this community so much and appreciate that you think of us first when it comes to buying or selling your Seattle floating home. We look forward to 2020 and serving the Seattle floating homes community well into the future.

Let’s catch up on the Seattle floating homes market over the last couple of months! There are five floating homes for sale in Seattle currently. They range in price from $550,000 for a two bedroom with a long term lease in Portage Bay to $3,200,000 for a brand new construction luxury floating home with a basement in Portage Bay. Three of these Seattle floating homes are in Portage Bay, one is in Fremont, and one is in Eastlake. The average list price is $1,710,000 and the average dollar per square foot is $1061.82 with a range from $672.37 to $1,315.79.

Looking at closed sales in the last sixty days, there have been four Seattle floating homes for sale that have sold through the MLS that range in price from $500,000 to $2,700,000 with a median sales price of $882,500 and an average days on market of 54 days. Three of these were in Portage Bay and one was in Westlake. The average sales price to list price for these floating homes was 95.67%. We sold three out of four of these! We definitely know the market and are happy to help you if you want an evaluation. We have specialized in Seattle Houseboats for over a decade and can offer you a wealth of experience and knowledge. Living in, working in, and giving back to this community is what we do. We also can help you with a FOWR Seattle houseboat purchase for the many Seattle houseboats that are not floating homes. Reach out so you can learn about this special segment of the Seattle houseboats lake market, too. There’s lots of real estate on the lake in Seattle and we are here to help you with all of it.

Want more information? We at Seattle Afloat are Seattle Houseboats Experts and the only team working on the lake today that has been successfully representing clients together for almost two decades. Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Courtney 206-850-8841

Step Into Floating Luxury

Seattle floating home

Brand new luxury Seattle floating homes? There usually aren’t any. Our community is over 100 years old so when this happens it is worth taking note. Never before have I seen a Seattle floating home with such a high design IQ and so much incredible finish work. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone.

A stunning and timeless architectural designed floating home in Stillwater Landing. Expansive floor to ceiling Fleetwood sliders allow for maximum indoor/outdoor living. Beautiful kitchen on upper floor includes 5″ wide oak floors, Calacatta Laza polished quartz countertops, Liebherr & Miele appliances, eat-in kitchen and dining room. Entertain with ease on the open concept floorplan taking in the views of Montlake cut and Portage Bay. Luxurious master bed/bath. Boat moorage, garage parking. $3,200,000

Contact Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 for additional details, a private showing, lending options.

Bi-Annual Seattle Floating Home Market Report


Much like the water that floating homes live on, we experience ebbs and flows with Seattle real estate.  So far, 2019 has been a year full of fun, exciting developments and sales for floating homes.  

The #1 question we get asked is “What’s the Market Like Right Now?”

This question can sometimes be construed in two ways.  It depends – “are you a buyer or a seller”, right?  

My friends, floating homes of course experience the same ride as land homes but only on a smaller scale.  What do I mean? I mean when we start to see “price improvement” for homes actively on the market, it can mean there are less buyers and more inventory (sellers).  Sellers are coming off a three year high from home sales and some expect to still be in that value system.

Large views and boat moorage come with this one.

Floating homes, however, magically seem to hover around a certain number of homes which sell each year no matter what kind of real estate market we are in.  That number is around 25. I am strictly referring to floating homes and not houseboats or vessels which do not have a King COUNTY tax assessor plaque.

Incredible floating home in Fremont.

So far this year we know of FOUR OFF MARKET SALES, two of which SeattleAfloat have completed.  This, my friend, is why it is so important to reach out to us if you are thinking of buying or selling because some of these sales are not in the MLS or made public and it could directly impact how you buy or sell in the future.

By including the four off market sales, to date, there are 14 floating home sales as of July 21, 2019.  We can still make our magic 25 number of sales because there are currently 13 active floating homes and we are only half way through the year.

Seattle floating homes don’t have views like this very often!

Concentrating on the solds, the median sales price is $910,000.  When I wrote the same market update last summer it was $750,000.  

Looking at the actives, we see some amazing ranges of floating homes out there.  From $499,000 on a condo dock to $3.2M for a brand new construction. The time is now to keep our community alive and vibrant.  So many people we talk to each day are appreciative floating homes are a staple in our city. Let’s keep it this way!

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

The Dox Seattle floating homes Dock is So Pretty and offers great views!

Seattle houseboats docks on lake union

When people are looking at Seattle floating homes, they almost always want to know about the end of the dock moorages. The Dox dock has two docks so there are four end of dock locations and lots of floating homes toward the end. If you can find a floating home on this dock community, it offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Union, from the Seattle skyline to Gasworks Park – if it has good dock position.  

Located in a charming floating home neighborhood, this floating home dock features a clean, well-planned open design and remarkable views.  This dock is a  Coop moorage & there is room for boats on some slip.

Lake Union is your own private “swimming pool”

off street parking

Want to see any floating homes? Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com We specialize in Seattle houseboats for sale. Our Seattle Realtors are waterfront experts and have been in the floating homes community for well over a decade. We are huge advocates for the community and promise to honor your special home and our neighborhood.

Seattle Waterfront Living: A Different Seattle Water Experience

The head of Shilshole Bay looking out to Puget Sound offers a different perspective of living at the water’s edge.

The Ballard Locks Are A Unique Lifestyle

This is a great alternative to Seattle houseboats living or Seattle waterfront living. Living at the water’s edge at the head of Shilshole Bay is a unique Seattle experience. This is a an opportunity to be a daily witness to the constant boat parade and the salty air of the Puget Sound. From the moment you traverse the staircase down into this secluded piece of heaven, you will not want to leave. Settle in and listen to the seagulls and live a simpler life.

Nestled in a private setting, discover this sanctuary you’ve been longing for offering the best of both land and water from the moment you wander onto the grounds. A great place to enjoy Seattle and all her beauty by recognizing an opportunity and history like no other. $675,000

  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bath
  • Built in 1944
  • 880 square feet
  • Wide open water views
  • well maintained
  • No dues

Please contact us if you would like a private showing. This one is by appointment only. call text 206-850-8841

Want to Learn More About Seattle Lifestyles?

seattle floating homes

End. Of. Dock.

There are not that many end of dock Seattle floating homes. A small fraction of the 517 Lake Union floating homes are in end of dock slip locations. If you are longing for a daily boat parade and beautiful open water, then pay attention! call/text 206-850-8841 for more info or a private showing.

seattle floating homes
Look at this amazing location! Portage Bay is part of Lake Union which you can see in the distance and then the Space Needle in front of the Puget Sound.

The Location.

Portage Bay is Lake Union’s Eastern arm, but also a charming neighborhood in North Capitol Hill. It is a unique residential pocket that despite being cut off like an island from the rest of Capitol Hill and Eastlake by two freeways, it offers a quiet and peaceful serenity like no other. Floating homes here are colorful and range from derelict to upper crust and the adjoining upland neighborhood is full of the most charm you can possibly fit in one corner of Seattle and anchored by the acclaimed neighborhood hot spot Little Lago.

By boat, you can travel to Ivar’s, the main portion of Lake Union, the Ballard Locks, the Puget Sound, Islands, and more or go the other direction through the Montlake Cut and head into Lake Washington for open water sports and an annual visit from the Blue Angels. By car or bike, you are close to everything.

seattle houseboats
The Shelby Dock’s new beautiful dock.

The Dock Community

Situated at the base of Shelby Street, the Shelby Dock recently went through an entire dock rebuild and upgrade. It is state of the art and all systems have been upgraded and most importantly moved UNDER the dock (no hanging power lines). This was a large undertaking that took a lot of time and money and the result is stunning. The Shelby dock has three loading zone parking spaces for deliveries, temporary parking, and other short term uses. There is an on land cottage that is shared by all 19 floating homes on the dock which includes communal space and also individual locking storage units for members of the dock. The Shelby Dock also has an incredible private garden at the head of the dock and two community boat moorage spaces which are available on a first come first serve basis.

seattle floating homes
Look at that reflection of University Of Washington!

The House

One bedroom open floor plan floating home has large grandfathered in floating waterside “yard”! Lots of really cool wood details in the home. Lots of windows and large views, great breezes on a warm day as you gently rock. It can be remodeled or replaced with same float size. $1,500,000

The Realtors

We are Seattle floating homes experts and we are here to answer all your questions. This dock is for floating homes and not other kinds of Seattle houseboats.

Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 e:houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Houseboats Open Houses

Two Seattle Floating Homes are OPEN SUNDAY 2/17 from 1-4PM

We are holding two Seattle floating homes open this weekend! If you have been wanting to check out the houseboats along Fairview in Eastlake then this weekend is a great opportunity! Priced at $750,000 and $799,000, these two floating homes both have boat moorage and are located towards the south end of the lake. Great commute option for Amazon or downtown. Fabulous lifestyle. Open Sunday 2/17 1-4PM

Seattle floating homes
Peaceful stroll down the dock to your own private piece of Lake Union!

2019 Fairview Ave E #B A fantastic Eastlake floating home ready for your own personal design! We love the generous light and roomy spaces. Hardwoods throughout the main level extending to your back french doors. 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. Folks this one has a tremendous amount of storage. Two fantastic decks to welcome the southern exposure on a wonderful Co-Op dock. Never miss a sunrise or sunset again.

seattle floating homes
Space Needle Views and a roof top deck.

2025 Fairview Ave E #Q Come aboard a very special Eastlake floating home to enjoy a slice of nature and art. Light, bright and a beautiful kitchen with ample storage. A cleverly designed built in kitchen table to maximize space. Two bay windows to relax and day dream in the living room. Master en suite on upper level with your private balcony to soak up the west facing sun. A few more steps up to enjoy the amazing roof top views. Moor your boat or water toys. Wonderful neighbors & great co-op dock!

seattle houseboats experts

We look forward to seeing you in Eastlake on Sunday!

In the mean time, please reach out to us if you would like a private showing of these or other Seattle floating homes. You can call, text, email, or message us. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

seattle floating homes

Seattle Floating Home For Sale In Eastlake

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 Open House Today!

Seattle Floating Homes Market:  Welcome Home To The Log Foundation

Looking for Seattle houseboats living? The Log Foundation’s Seattle floating home at 2025 Fairview Ave E #Q, thoughtfully designed by local architect, this waterfront living dream has huge upwards investment potential.  Come aboard this very special Eastlake floating home to enjoy a slice of nature and art.

Light, bright and a beautiful upscale kitchen with more than ample storage. A cleverly designed built in kitchen table to maximize space. Two bay windows to relax and day dream in the living room. Master en suite on upper level with flexible room for office or upper den.  My favorite part of this is the wide open channel views out of the bedroom corner.

Enjoy your private south facing balcony to soak up the west facing sun. A few more steps up to enjoy the amazing roof top views. Moor your boat or water toys. Wonderful neighbors & great co-op dock! Low dues!   $750,000

Call or text us to see it as it won’t last long at this price.  Want to look at a property that actually pencils out as an investment?  Let us know and we will show you how the numbers work on this one and others.

Seattle floating homes experts: Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841/ houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Floating Home $699,000 Just Listed In Westlake!

Welcome to the 2420 Cooperative Seattle Floating Homes Dockseattle floating home for sale in Westlake

2420 Westlake Avenue North #8
Seattle, Washington 98109

The FLOAT

You should always start with the float on a Seattle floating home, but most people start with the house itself to make sure it checks all the Seattle houseboats boxes.  Each one of these is so very different, but it is important that once you identify the perfect Lake Union floating home that works for your living style, then you go right to the float. The true value in Seattle floating homes in across Lake Union and Lake Union’s eastern arm Portage Bay is the slip dimensions.  The slip sizes for any given slip were largely determined and set in stone across coop docks by looking at any existing structures that occupied the slips at the time that the dock was converted to a coop. These dimensions were then recorded and grandfathered in.  Many of them exceed the limit of brand new homes allowed on the lake so slips with footprints larger than 1200 square feet are especially valuable. seattle floating homes

Length: 37.4ft  Width:  30.8 ft

Water Depth:  45ft with no obstructions.

Stringers:  11 pressure treated stringers running east to west.  
Decks The front deck is constructed of treated 2×6 surface boards and 4×6 joints.

Log pack. Beneath the stringers are 9 old growth logs that run east to west. They provide both structure and flotation for the home. They are in a stable configuration, anchored securely with stringers pins.  

Flotation:  6-9ft Styrofoam logs. 41 55-gallon flotation barrels

HOME

  • Early 1900’s year built | 2 beds | 1 Bath | Approximately 700 sq ft
  • Hardwoods | wrap around deck | sunroom | boat moorage
  • $500 Home Owner Dues include:  dock water, sewer, garbage. Dock maintenance, DNR lease, pay off for 8 slip marina, and floating home moorage real estate taxes
  • Personal property tax (paid biannual or annually) is $1,200
  • 8 slip marina owned by 2420 Cooperative anticipated paid off by December 2018
  • Laundry and shower facility at the head of the dock is for the slip tenants.
  • Home Insurance $1900 annually through Lloyds of London underwriters.
    July 2018 Home and Dive Inspection performed.
  • New mini split (heating/cooling) and new attic insulation.
  • New steel moorage arms in 2018.

Seattle floating homesFrom Our Lovely Seattle Floating Home Sellers:

Things We Love About Living Here

We love to hop on our bikes and cruise along the newer Westlake bike trail to Fremont.
We would sometimes attach our pet bike carrier since our favorite bar in Fremont Norm’s on 36th Ave allows dogs inside!

We walk out our sliding glass door and hop on our Paddleboards and other water toys to unwind after a long working day.  However our favorite time is in the early morning hours when the city is still sleeping. SUP yoga anyone?

We love to watch the beautiful yachts cruise into the Westlake marinas and play a game of how this billionaire made their profits!  Plus we like the privacy of living next to a quiet marina instead of a house around every corner.

Nature is everywhere we look and our favorite is to see the Blue Heron hunt for its food right outside our door.

We love to hear the sounds of seaplanes in the distance.  The next time we want to go to the San Juans, we can kayak to Kenmore Air to catch a ride.

The Floating Home Association (FHA) is an awesome community that is always bringing the floating home community together.  Sometimes it’s a dock party (Docktoberfest) or it’s an informative annual meeting (each April) to discuss how we can continue to preserve and improve our lifestyle.  

Above all, we love to tell people (when asked) that we live in a houseboat or floating home.  It never fails to bring a slew of questions about what it’s like and that they’ve always wanted to do the same thing.

Want to see this one?  Call/Text Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841  or email us at houseboats@cooperjacobs.com We are Seattle Floating Homes Experts and happy to help you with this special kind of Seattle home.  

Seattle Floating Homes: For The Love Of The Water

Courtney Cooper being interviewed by Vanessa Yurkevich of CNNSeattle Floating Homes – It Comes Down To The Love Of Water

The last two days have been spent well out of my comfort zone being interviewed and filmed by a crew from CNN. Anyone who knows me knows how very out of character that is for me.  I say no to every filming request that we get from shows like Househunters, Tiny Houses, etc. We greatly respect the privacy of the Seattle Houseboats community and want to protect this coveted lifestyle.  I was happy to step out of my personal norm and do this because I wanted to show off our floating homes community and our beautiful city on a grander scale. We are fresh off of the 2018 Seattle Floating Homes tour and I have an ever growing love for this historic neighborhood in which I call home.

When I got the call to talk about Seattle floating homes by an extremely respected network, I agreed.  We planned a modest boat ride around the lake so that I could show off the various floating home communities that make up our overall houseboats neighborhood.  As luck would have it, my Duffy electric boat decided to be moody the day before they were set to visit, so I called upon one of my personal heroes Steve Brown whom I work with at Keller Williams North Seattle.  He didn’t hesitate to come to my rescue and his beautiful boat is so much better!!!  Steve dropped his entire day and toured the film crew around in style around the lake while I was interviewed on the bow of his boat like I was cruising the riviera.

As I was interviewed about the various aspects of our community and what it was like to live on a floating home, I was reminded of why I live on one.  It’s all about the water for me. I love the reflections of it on my ceiling and the sound of it as the waves come in and are dispersed gently over the logs that make up my float pack. I love the rain pouring on the roof and lake around me.  It was fun to see how excited the camera crew got about the littlest things around our homes.  The gardens on the docks and other creative artwork here and there added such vibrancy to the story they were trying to tell. Such an outstanding community of neighbors that care about each other and all share the common bond of loving the water.

Seattle floating homes in portage bayAs newer folks move in and others move off the dock, the character and mood changes at times, but overall the spirit stays the same. I was asked a lot about gentrification of the neighborhood and how that had affected the docks, but it all keeps going back to the common bond that we all share – old or young, rich or poor.  We all love the water.  It was such a pleasure to show off our incredible neighborhood!  I got to tour them through our listings, too!

If you are interested in seeing the floating homes that they toured or anything on the market, please let us know.  We are happy to show you some great spots.  I can’t guarantee that I can get Captain Steve back, but should have the Duffy up and rolling again soon!  Please feel free to call/text us at 206-850-8841  Currently there are 12 floating homes on the market which range in list price from $599,000 to $3,700,000.  There is literally something for everyone if you want to be one of the lucky roughly 517 who live in a floating home on the lake. You can see all homes on the market here: Seattle Floating Homes For Sale

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

Seattle Floating Homes Update

Seattle Floating Homes For Sale And What’s Happening With The Market

seattle houseboats

School is officially in session today so I am calling this the end of summer Seattle floating homes market report. A lot has happened this summer, but the market overall had a very slow start. I think I had mentioned this several times in previous articles I have written. It seems like anything under about $800-900,000 sells somewhat quickly and anything up to $2.5 million is not selling as fast.  Then there is a micro market for floating homes in the $3 million dollar range that are selling quicker than expected.  There isn’t a lot of rhyme or reason to who will be in the buyer pool for a floating home at any given time so making sure that you are staying on top of the market is the best course of action.seattle houseboats

There are a lot of things that have been changing in the Seattle houseboats world overall, so just keep asking questions if you are wondering where you stand  compared to the market.  For us, we have been most successful by keeping an open dialog about what is happening in the market  – whether good or bad pricing wise. Our efforts have been on marketing, getting the word out, education regarding our community, and also just keep sellers on course with pricing.

Many higher end Eastlake floating homes are coming on the market as a result of recent success in the three million dollar and up range. Many lower end floating homes are experiencing longer market times.  Feel free to call us if you have questions: Courtney 206-850-8841

seattle floating homesSome of our favorites if you are on the hunt for one of the Seattle floating homes for sale: 

2025 Fairview Ave E #Q:  800 square feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, rooftop deck, and boat moorage!  $850,000

Come aboard a very special Eastlake floating home to enjoy a slice of nature and art. Light, bright and a beautiful kitchen with ample storage. A cleverly designed built in kitchen table to maximize space. Two bay windows to relax and day dream in the living room. Master en suite on upper level with your private balcony to soak up the west facing sun. A few more steps up to enjoy the amazing roof top views. Moor your boat or water toys. Wonderful neighbors & great co-op dock!  $850,000

2822 Boyer Ave E #2: 1852 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 1.75  baths, rooftop deck, and boat moorage PLUS guest boat moorage and parking: $2,175,000

Luxury high end 3 BR smart home floating paradise w/ rooftop deck. Automated lighting, Lutron shades, sec cams, 10-zone audio, more w/ touch pad controls throughout house & remote access. Decks on 3 levels. Exotic zebra hrdwd, Pedini Italian cabinets, underlit glass molded cast glass staircase + 6 antique operable brass portholes frm an English luxury liner. Upscale kitchen w/ Bosch and Gagganau + outside Lynx BBQ cooking area. Solar powered boat lift. Parking, Moorage, Low Dues,Great location!  $2,175,000


What else is going on?  How about the tour? It’s in Eastlake this year! Tickets are just about sold out for the 2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour so grab them quickly while you can – it is THIS SUNDAY!

Again, if you want to learn more about our community or buying and selling a Seattle floating home, please do call us if you have questions: Courtney 206-850-8841  Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour: Tickets On Sale!

The 2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour! 2018 Seattle floating homes tour

Tickets just went on sale for this year’s tour!

The Seattle Floating Homes Tour only happens every two years!  Buy your tickets here before it’s too late:

Sunday, September 9th, 2018  Noon to 5 p.m. 

At Seattle Afloat, we are so proud to be supporters of the 2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour!  Each tour, we work extremely hard  and we volunteer our time and sponsor the tour with our money. We love the Seattle floating homes community and this year’s 2018 Seattle floating homes tour is worth the price of admission ten fold! Want to have a peek into this amazing lifestyle and dream about living on Lake Union afloat? Here is the description of this year’s exciting tour!  We have seen the tour houses personally and you won’t be disappointed!

Don’t delay, the tickets for the 2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour sell out fast!

The Seattle Floating Homes Association is pleased to present the Eclectic Eastlake 2018 Floating Homes tour! On Sunday September 9, from noon until 5, a dozen specially selected homes will be available for viewing from 2017 Fairview up to Mallard Cove at 2600 Fairview. You will come away with an appreciation of why Seattle’s floating home owners cherish their lifestyle and why they have become known as the Stewards of the Lake for nurturing the nature and animal habitats the docks, homes and surrounding foliage provide.  Nowhere else in the world will you find the coexistence of wildlife and city life blending so harmoniously. We look forward to having you as our guest! 

Proceeds from the 2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour will benefit the Seattle Floating Homes Association and its mission to protect, preserve and promote the vitality of Seattles historic floating homes community through education, advocacy, environmental stewardship and collaboration. Parking is available in the lots south of E Newton on Fairview Ave E, at the Blue Ribbon Cooking School to the north and on side streets throughout the neighborhood.  Food, coffee and dessert trucks will be on hand for purchase of refreshments, and a bus will be circulating throughout the afternoon at several spots along the route.

This is a self-guided WALKING tour with stairs, uneven pavement and over-water dock surfaces; please plan accordingly. No backpacks, strollers, food or drinks are allowed in the homes. The tour will take place rain or shine, and everyone who wants to participate in the tour will need a ticket, except babes in arms. 

2018 Seattle Floating Homes Tour Ticket Information  :  Tour tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets. Ticket price is $55. Capacity is limited so advance purchase is highly recommended. Ticket Brochures will be mailed 1-2 weeks prior to the tour to Washington addresses only. Any out of state addresses can pick up their brochures at Will Call, at the ticket tent in the parking lot across the street from 2025 Fairview Ave. E. (between E. Boston and E. Newton), on the day of the tour beginning at 11:00am. Once you have this brochure you can start the tour at any location you chose.

Want to learn more about Seattle Houseboats and other types of  Seattle Waterfront Living?  We are Seattle Realtors who specialize in this special niche!  We would live to show you our favorite Seattle floating homes, luxury homes, and waterfront homes and are happy to help you find your perfect home in Seattle.  You can call/text us at 206-850-8841 or email Houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Floating Homes Airbnb Resource

Looking For A Seattle Floating Home For Rent On Airbnb?Seattle houseboats for rent on airbnb

Or, Are you thinking about renting your Seattle floating home on Airbnb or some other short terms rental platform? It isn’t legal.

We get a lot of calls asking if Seattle floating homes are for rent by the night and the short answer is no.  The majority of the docks have rules against this activity anyway, but the lure of Airbnb income can cause some owners to go ahead and offer their homes up for rent anyway. The Seattle floating homes you find online for short term rental rates and periods are likely operating outside of the law. It is currently illegal to offer your Seattle floating home up for short term rent and beginning in January 2019 ALL types of Seattle houseboats for rent on Airbnb will be operating outside of the law.

The Law against renting your Seattle floating home on Airbnb:

This commercial use is prohibited in the Urban Residential shoreline environment by SMC 23.60A.540. Short-term residential rentals and meeting hall and office uses are defined as commercial under our land use code. See SMC 23.84A.024 (lodging), 23.84A.010 (entertainment uses) and 23.844.028 (office).

The Consequences of Your Seattle floating home for rent on Airbnb or other short term rental:

When a violation is recorded, reported, etc., the city will first send out a warning letter to explain the violation and to allow time for the home owner to comply. Compliance is usually achieved by removing any ads from AirBnB.com, VRBO.com, etc., and discontinuing any short-term rental activity immediately. If corrective action is not taken within a fairly generous time period, then the city will issue a Notice of Violation with fines accruing at $150.00 per day for the first 10 days and $500.00 per day thereafter until the violation is corrected. 

My two cents:

Whether you agree with this or not, there are a lot of reasons why a Seattle floating home for rent on Airbnb should not be allowed.  Privacy, safety, and liability come to mind immediately, but also respect your neighbors by not inviting in a parade of strangers to add wear and tear on our community owned dock and systems.  We are stewards of a fragile ecosystem and are extremely fortunate to have the privilege to be caretakers of this natural beauty and community.  To operate a short term rental violates trust – both with your neighbors most of the time and also with the city which is clear:  They are illegal.

PLEASE HELP

See an ad or short term rental activity?  Please protect our floating neighborhood and report it:

If your neighbor is renting their Seattle floating home on Airbnb or other type of short term rental, then you will want to know how to stop this illegal behavior:  You can call The City Of Seattle’s Code Compliance complaint line at 206-615-0808 or use the Seattle Services Portal online. Complaints can be anonymous but keep in mind that you’ll want to be very accurate with locations and information when doing so as it leaves the city with no way to follow up and gather missing facts. Some people include slip numbers/marina names in the body of the complaint when it’s difficult to input them in the online tool.

Please feel free to email me if you have questions.  I am trying to get the word out to protect my beloved community.  – Courtney  courtney@seattleafloat.com 

Seattle Houseboats Floating Home Market Is Heating Up In July!

Looking for your perfect Seattle floating home to live the most amazing lifestyle in this city?seattle floating homes realtors

The Seattle houseboats market is finally heating up and inventory has loosened up enough that buyers are having choices, but at the same time these Seattle floating homes for sale that are on the market are getting more serious looks.  Let’s look at what’s going on.  There are nine Seattle floating homes on the market ranging in price from $850,000 to $3,499,000. The median price for the current offerings is $1,795,000 so there is definitely a shortage of the lower to medium end floating homes for sale.  In fact the only floating home for sale on Lake Union currently that is under a million dollars is not in an owned slip. All other eight floating homes for sale are in a condo or co-op dock and have secured moorage ownership. Five of the nine floating homes for sale are in Eastlake and on Fairview Ave E.  The remaining listings are in Lake Union’s Eastern arm, Portage Bay,  which has become a hot commodity in recent years.

Featured Seattle Floating Homes For Sale: 

We are full service Seattle floating homes specialists.  We can help you navigate the process of purchasing a floating home and help educate you on all the ins and outs of them.  We are happy to show you these and others on the market – no matter who they are listed with. We also have our finger on the pulse and know what’s coming on the market.  I live and work in this community and I love it.  I am a Floating Homes Association board member and give back. Call us and we can show you our favorites: 206-850-8841

2017 Fairview Ave E #N:  2 Bedrooms, 1.5 bath $1,795,000seattle floating homes

Step aboard your newly remodeled floating home in Eastlake. Gorgeous kitchen includes granite counter tops, new cabinets, under counter refrigerator, and warm your toes on the heated Travertine floors. Or opt to use your outdoor grill while soaking up the sun and views. In the lower level, a comfortable master bedroom with ample closets, a cozy fireplace, and access to the lake from your deck. Second bedroom plus bonus room. Walk to Serafina, SLU, Essential Bakery, Pete’s Market.

3146 Portage Bay Pl E #G: 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths $1,999,000seattle floating homes

Beautifully designed by Prentiss Architecture, this new floating home expands over 1,980 square feet of luxury. Handsome cedar on the exterior and warmth from radiant heat inside. Black honed soapstone kitchen counters compliment custom cherry cabinets with energy efficient stainless steel appliances. Gorgeous Maple hardwood floors unite the open concept floor plan. Loewe windows + nano doors to bring the outdoors in. Category 5 wiring. Seattle waterfront at it’s finest.

2822 Boyer Ave E #2: 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths $2,350,000Seattle floating homes

Luxury high end 3 BR smart home floating paradise w/ rooftop deck. Automated lighting, Lutron shades, sec cams, 10-zone audio, more w/ touch pad controls throughout house & remote access. Decks on 3 levels. Exotic zebra hrdwd, Pedini Italian cabinets, underlit glass molded cast glass staircase + 6 antique operable brass portholes frm an English luxury liner. Upscale kitchen w/ Bosch and Gagganau + outside Lynx BBQ cooking area. Solar powered boat lift. Parking, Moorage, Low Dues,Great location!

We look forward to hearing from you soon!   – Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com

fourth of july seattle fireworks

Happy 4th Of July Seattle!

Happy Fourth Of July!

Lake Union Fireworks & Morefourth of july fireworks seattle

Happy July 4th, Seattle!  We wish you a happy and safe Fourth Of July and look forward to working with you in the future.  Thanks so much for all your support! We appreciate this community so much!

Here is a great shot from our end of the dock Seattle houseboat for sale for $997,000!

You can read more here or call/text us at 206-850-8841 for more info and a private showing so that YOU can be the go to destination for next year’s festivities:

“One-of-a-kind END-OF-DOCK Floating On-Water Residence and slip on Lake Union in Eastlake. Unobstructed views of Seattle, Space Needle and sunsets. Spacious 1,650sf living w/ 3 beds, 2.5 ba, fireplace, skylights, covered patio. Awesome hot tub, bar and grill on the rooftop deck. Summer ready- fully furnished & includes dinghy on electric davit, kayak, 2 bikes. Very low HOA dues and taxes. Great walkscore, walk/bike to Amazon, easy 5/90/520 access. Start planning your July 4 party!”

“If you are interested in getting your own “fifty yard line” seats for Seattle’s magnificent July 4th Fireworks show over Lake Union, then let us show you Seattle houseboats including this one and others! Thanks again for your support and enthusiasm in our business.  We appreciate you and wish you the very best happy and safe 4th of July!”  – Courtney

Seattle Houseboats Inventory Afloat! What’s Happening Here?

Lake Union Inventory: There is a lot to choose from on the lake right now!

In the world of Seattle houseboats, there are floating homes, vessels, and barges.  When you look at our Seattle houseboats for sale page on Cooper Jacobs it may seem daunting as a seller, as there are more than TWENTY over the water homes for sale right now, but only eight of these are classified as Seattle floating homes. At least a dozen are other types of Seattle houseboats are also for sale – some of which are extremely fancy and worth considering if you are a floating home buyer.

In short, inventory is not a problem on the lake right now.

In fact, inventory across the Puget Sound has drastically gone up and as a result we are seeing longer market times in the higher end floating home market.  Basically, if you are priced around a million or higher, then it is taking longer to sell your floating home. As things inevitably slow down, floating homes tend to be steadier than land homes in price, but also take longer to sell.

So what is for sale right now? Out of the eight for sale, only seven Seattle floating homes are being offered with owned moorage slips included (they own the water in which they are residing). Purchasing a floating home with condo or coop owned moorage is the most secure form of ownership for your floating home as these are not generally mobile and there aren’t usually alternative moorage locations for them.  Prices for these special Lake Union homes range from $1,749,950 for a coop owned slip and floating home in Eastlake to $3,499,000.  Five of the current offerings are in Eastlake and two of them are in Portage Bay.

Here are our favorites of the current Seattle Floating Homes For Sale:

seattle floating homes2017 Fairview Ave E #N     $1,795,000

Step aboard your newly remodeled floating home in Eastlake. Gorgeous kitchen includes granite counter tops, new cabinets, under counter refrigerator, and warm your toes on the heated Travertine floors. Or opt to use your outdoor grill while soaking up the sun and views. In the lower level, a comfortable master bedroom with ample closets, a cozy fireplace, and access to the lake from your deck. Second bedroom plus bonus room. Walk to Serafina, SLU, Essential Bakery, Pete’s Market.

2822 Boyer Ave E #2             $2,350,000seattle houseboats

Luxury high end 3 BR smart home floating paradise w/ rooftop deck. Automated lighting, Lutron shades, sec cams, 10-zone audio, more w/ touch pad controls throughout house & remote access. Decks on 3 levels. Exotic zebra hardwood, Pedini Italian cabinets, underlit glass molded cast glass staircase + 6 antique operable brass portholes from an English luxury liner. Upscale kitchen w/ Bosch and Gagganau + outside Lynx BBQ cooking area. Solar powered boat lift. Parking, Moorage, Low Dues,Great location!

3146 Portage Bay Pl E #G      $1,999,000

seattle floating homesBeautifully designed by Prentiss Architecture, this new floating home expands over 1,980 square feet of luxury. Handsome cedar on the exterior and warmth from radiant heat inside. Black honed soapstone kitchen counters compliment custom cherry cabinets with energy efficient stainless steel appliances. Gorgeous Maple hardwood floors unite the open concept floor plan. Loewe windows + nano doors to bring the outdoors in. Category 5 wiring. Seattle waterfront at it’s finest.

Let us know if you want to see any of the current inventory or if you are curious what your floating home might be worth.  We are happy to help you buy or sell your home.  Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Perfection In Portage Bay

Any techies looking for the ultimate in dream Seattle floating homes?

Recently featured in both Curbed and Houzz, this upscale Seattle floating home is one to take note of!

seattle floating homes for sale

Luxury high end 3 bedroom smart home floating paradise with rooftop deck – more like your own yard oasis on the roof – complete with a lawn!  Automated lighting, Lutron shades, security cams, 10-zone audio, more with touch pad controls throughout house & remote access. Decks on 3 levels. Exotic zebra hardwood, Pedini Italian cabinets, underlit glass molded cast glass staircase + 6 antique operable brass portholes from a vintage English luxury liner. Upscale kitchen with Bosch and Gagganau + outside Lynx BBQ cooking area. Solar powered boat lift.  $2,350,000

  • Parking
  • Moorage
  • Low Dues
  • Great location!

Want to see it?  Call/Text Courtney /206-850-8841  houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

End Of The Dock In Lake Union!

THIS is LIVING At The End Of The Dock!seattle houseboat for sale

Own the water with this condo moorage.  End of the dock on Lake Union in Seattle’s bustling Eastlake neighborhood, welcome aboard the Limbo, your executive floating townhome alternative! Seattle waterfront living to it’s very core, this substantial floating residence is equipped with pretty much all you want!

It even comes furnished should you want all of the bells and whistles – from the rooftop deck complete with rooftop deck and sitting bar, to the included dinghy equipped with fish finder, and the list of perks goes on all the way down to the stocked liquor cabinet.

This is a stunner among Seattle houseboats for sale.  Large master suite and two smaller staterooms.  Beautifully finished bathrooms, stacking washer/dryer, large cooks kitchen with eating bar and cozy living room with fireplace.

seattle houseboats

Views in all directions and no one in front of you to block them.  Decks on all levels including enclosed (removable) deck to take in the outdoor living even on a chilly evening. All the toys you will need are also included!

Here are the remarks from the MLS listing which went live this AM:

This is more than meets the eye.This is a turn key, fully loaded,fun in the sun, houseboat ready to move in or rent out without a single thing to do. Fantastic lifestyle on this end of dock slip on a condo owned dock in Eastlake. Stunning views of the city’s skyline day or night while soaking in your roof top hot tub.Next day, take the bikes out for a cruise around South Lake Union’s Farmers Market. Newer built and fully custom 55’x15 houseboat, three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 72 walkscore!

 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

seattle floating homes

Seattle Floating Home With Space Needle Views

seattle floating homesCome Home To This Oasis! Newly Redone Seattle Floating Home With Space Needle Views in Eastlake:

Let’s talk about this Seattle floating homes location for a minute and the incredible peaceful yet exciting combination of living surrounded by nature in the middle of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.     It’s the perfect place to live after a busy day at work!

eastlake floating homes for sale

Walk or Uber from South Lake Union . Feel your shoulders relax and unwind as you walk down the 2017 dock because just strolling down this dock is a real treat.

This is the southern most dock on Lake Union with wide open views of the lake and city. The 2017 dock is one of three that makes up the famed and well organized Log Foundation.  Besides being one of the most well run cooperatively owned dock groups on the lake, this community has also elevated container gardening to an absolute art form. It is truly paradise.

PS  – you can also walk to cool places like Serafina, SLU, Essential Bakery, Starbucks, Pete’s Market, and more.seattle houseboats for sale

Step aboard your newly remodeled floating home in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood. Gorgeous kitchen includes granite counter tops, new cabinets, under counter refrigerator, and warm your toes on the heated Travertine floors. Or opt to use your outdoor grill while soaking up the sun and Lake Union  and city skyline views. In the lower level, a comfortable master bedroom with ample closets, a cozy fireplace, and access to the lake from your deck. Second bedroom plus bonus room.  $1,850,000

2017 Fairview Ave E #N

Newly listed and just featured in Curbed Magazine, this home was redone top to bottom and can be yours before Fourth Of July!  Call or text  Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 or email houseboats@cooperjacobs.com for your private showing or more information. 

seattle floating homes

Last Seattle Floating Home Slip available at Stillwater Landing!

seattle floating homesStillwater Landing in Lake Union’s Portage Bay

The last of the 3 Seattle Floating home slips available at Stillwater Landing.  All permits are issued and this is ready to build.  On beautiful Portage Bay, this home site includes 1 car designated parking in a newly constructed garage with a 50 amp car charger outlet and a 24’ designated boat moorage slip along a newly built finger pier adjacent to the home.

The upper floor living area offers outstanding views of the Montlake Cut, Seattle Yacht Club, UW, and all the water and mountain views of Portage Bay.  Plenty of open water and distance between each home.  A truly exceptional architectural plan with 3 floors and approx. 2,600 sq ft of living space.

Reach out and let us know if you are interested in this rare opportunity.  Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841  stillwater@cooperjacobs.com 

sleepless in seattle

Sleepless In Seattle 25 Year Anniversary Highlighted In Latest Aboveboard Seattle

Aboveboard Seattle Highlights The Sleepless Movie’s 25th Anniversary.

aboveboard

Awwwe.  Sleepless In Seattle… Whenever we are showing Seattle floating homes for sale, a good portion of the buyers ask about the “Sleepless houseboat”.  For twenty five years now the movie Sleepless In Seattle has had an effect on our Seattle houseboats community.

This article from the latest issue of Aboveboard Seattle highlights the movie and its mark left on us. It is so hard to believe it has been a quarter of a century!!!!

Time Flies:  This Year Is The Sleepless In Seattle Movie’s 25th Anniversary

Sleepless In Seattle changed the perception of our city forever when it was released twenty five years ago.  “Sleepless” is the now famous Seattle floating home which is pointed out on every Ride The Duck Tour and sought after by tourists from around the world. It is the first thing new prospective clients ask us about when they are exploring purchasing a floating home. Although this iconic movie was also largely shot in other cities such as Chicago, New York, and Baltimore, for a quarter of a century Sleepless in Seattle starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan has been the first movie people think of when they think of Seattle. Released on June 25th, 1993, this was one of Nora Ephron’s first major directorial jobs and continues to be a huge sentimental nod to the 1990s Seattle lifestyle.  In fact, in a July 8th, 1993 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine Nora Ephron says in regards to Sam played by Tom Hanks, “He goes from Chicago, which is your modern, work-driven urban environment, to Seattle, which is – let me tell you, after three days there with my husband, Nick says, “This is a city where people have chosen lifestyle over work.” And he’s right. There are cities like this all over America, full of people who are kayaking and living the good life.  At the time of filming, Seattle’s official  population was 525,974 people. By contrast, the current 2018 population according to sources is roughly 704,352, and while we have morphed more towards what Ephron described as a “modern, work-driven urban environment”, we also hold on tight to our “good life” roots.

Filming Sleepless In Seattle on an actual Lake Union floating home dock – The Scoop…

The filming while on location in Seattle itself was interesting and full of excitement and also challenges. One neighbor’s deck was used for catering for the cast and crew.  They recall that one day while they were eating their Chinese take out for dinner, Tom Hanks walked in and asked ‘where’s mine?!’ According to them, “He of course was teasing and was just doing a little PR.  He hung around and talked until he was called back on set.  He was always very, very nice to everyone. Meg Ryan wasn’t around much because she only has two scenes in the area, including on Westlake Avenue above the dock.  According to one account on the dock, she was “kept out of the public eye – the rumor was that she had just had a baby (fact) and she had a stalker that they were taking great precautions over (particularly because of the baby).”

sleepless in seattle

The route they took in the rowboat….

Sleepless In Seattle is mostly a winter, even holiday movie, but it was infamously filmed during a very hot and sunny summer.  In fact, it was filmed during one of Seattle’s very few actual droughts where it was so dry that the city imposed mandatory water restrictions.  One neighbor’s recollection best describes the scenario: “It was so hot that summer, I can remember floating out in the lake in front of Sleepless in my swimming suit and inner tube, watching as they tried to keep all the actors, dressed in overcoats, scarves and boots, cool.  And, they had to rig up special systems to make it rain – no small feat at the end of a long dock. (One of the reasons we are so dependent on the fireboats). And, there was a lot of talk about either a filter, or film treatment to make the footage seem grey and dreary when it was actually extremely blue and sunny — day after day after day.  They were pulling their hair out.”

The dock in which the Sleepless house resides was completely transformed for the filming of the movie.  I am very grateful for the fabulous account of it from one neighbor, “Our dock is particularly proud of our flowers — we often had casual competitions over who’s looked the best.  Well, the production crew had to pluck out all the summer stuff and replace it with evergreens. The original child actor wasn’t working out for whatever reasons, and he was let go; it took about a month to audition and rehearse the new kid.  And, then they had to reshoot all the scenes. It was supposed to be just a couple of weeks, but all summer long we were flowerless in Seattle.

Watching Sleepless In Seattle Again….

This weekend, I watched Sleepless in Seattle again.  I still found it comical to watch the unbelievable Hollywood geographic creative leaps and would challenge anyone who thinks they can take a small boat from Lake Union to Alki Beach in the hour or two it seemed to take the characters in the movie.  The trip would involve taking the boat all the way up to the north end of Lake Union, through the ship canal, and into the Ballard Locks as Lake Union is roughly 20 feet higher than the Puget Sound. You would need to then go all the way around Discovery Park and cross the ferry traffic to head down to Alki Beach in West Seattle where the characters Sam and Jonah played. Almost as unbelievable is watching Meg Ryan’s character Annie “follow” them in her rental car by going over the Fremont Bridge. For the last 25 years, I have largely thought of this movie as somewhat of a “stalker” film, but this weekend I changed my mind and found it to be charming and sentimental.  All in all, the movie holds up.

Call us if you want to learn more about the Seattle Houseboats lifestyle!  Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841  houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

seattle floating homes

Seattle Floating Home For Sale: Rooftop Deck & Parking

Spring is here! Come enjoy this rooftop deck!

New construction Seattle floating home is awaiting your decor!  Be the first to live in this gorgeous brand new home with high end everything.  $2,100,000

  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2.5 Bath
  • Condo owned dock (the most secure way to own a Seattle floating home)
  • Brand New and Never Lived In!
  • 1980 Square Feet
  • Roof top deck
  • Deeded Parking Space and Storage
  • Gorgeous grounds

Call/Text Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 for your private showing or more info.

 

Just Released: Brand New Seattle Floating Home For Sale

Seattle Floating Homes For Sale:  This One Just Released!

seattle floating homes

If you are looking for the ultimate in Seattle new construction, then look no further than the waterfront living of this beautiful Seattle floating home!

  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2.5 Bath
  • Condo owned dock (the most secure way to own a Seattle floating home)
  • Brand New and Never Lived In!
  • 1980 Square Feet
  • Roof top deck
  • Deeded Parking Space and Storage
  • Gorgeous grounds

Beautifully designed by Prentiss Architecture, this new floating home expands over 1,980 square feet of luxury. Handsome cedar on the exterior and warmth from radiant heat inside. Black honed soapstone kitchen counters compliment custom cherry cabinets with energy efficient stainless steel appliances. Gorgeous Maple hardwood floors unite the open concept floor plan. Loewe windows + nano doors to bring the outdoors in. Category 5 wiring. Seattle waterfront at it’s finest. $2,100,000

Call  Courtney Cooper for more information on this fabulous place: 206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com  We are Seattle Houseboats Experts and specialize in Seattle Waterfront Living. 

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