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

Westlake floating home

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 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

seattle houseboats in westlake

Seattle Floating Homes For Sale: Houseboats Inventory Movement

Seattle Houseboats On Lake Union  – Inventory Is Afloat!seattle floating home dining room

Seattle Is Afloat! There are several pending Seattle houseboats in the MLS as well, but I wanted to go ahead and get some basic info about what is available for sale on Lake Union right now. There are FIVE ACTIVE Seattle floating homes for sale currently in the NWMLS. There are also a couple Seattle houseboats for rent if you are interested in those so please let us know.

A quick note about Lake Union water homes definitions… (This post is about just SEATTLE FLOATING HOMES for sale.  The term “Seattle houseboats” is an umbrella term which covers floating homes, vessels, barges, and now Seattle floating on-water residences. It has recently become unnecessarily more intricate than it ever needed to be, but it is what it is and we would be happy to help clarify it for you.  Historically, though, Seattlelites refer to all forms of these types of floating abodes as Seattle Houseboats“.)

seattle houseboats for sale in westlakeOK, back to the Lake Union news! There are five Seattle floating homes that are for sale currently.  They range in price from $395,000 for a 1 bedroom in Portage Bay to $1,595,000 for a 2 bedroom floating gem in the prestigious Mallard Cove floating homes community in Eastlake. The median list price of these incredible Lake Union floating residences is $948,000 which also happens to be the list price of our Westlake floating home for sale right now.  There are two Eastlake houseboats for sale in this mix, two in Portage Bay, and one in Westlake.  All three Lake Union houseboats communities offer different Seattle Waterfront Living styles and each one is unique in character and charm. The average days on market is 21 days currently and the average dollar per square foot is $802.91 per square foot.  Square footage on floating home docks is not a reliable source of value always because there are so many structures of ownership to take into account.  Each Seattle floating home is different and there are also no two docks alike on Lake Union.

Interested in Living On A Houseboat In Seattle?

seattle houseboats expertsIf you are interested in Seattle Houseboat Living, then please let us know.  We would be happy to help you find your perfect spot to live Lake Union Afloat℠!  Call/Text/Email anytime.

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

© Cooper Jacobs Real Estate™  © Seattle Afloat ®

Live Your Life Afloat In Seattle™!

seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats History Resource

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Seattle Luxury Floating Home At The End Of The Dock: Here’s Your Chance To Live THE Lake Union Dream

If you have ever been thinking about living on a Seattle floating home or have been looking for the perfect end of dock houseboat, then search no longer. This luxury Seattle floating home is available in just a couple weeks!  Here are some amazing peeks at what is in store for you with this home.

3 Bedroom, hot tub, all upscale finish work and appliances.  End of the dock.  $8500/mo.

Call Courtney 206-850-8841 or houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle Houseboats Market: Lake Union End Of The Dock Houseboat For Sale

Seattle houseboats

Lake Union Houseboats For Sale – At End Of The Dock. (UPDATE THIS SEATTLE HOUSEBOAT IS SOLD)

There’s still time to buy this one and close the deal before July 4th!!!!

Views that will knock your socks off! Truly a front row slip to Lake Union’s energy and activity. Tons of light will fill this one of a kind 1988 Barhop Seattle House barge in active

Westlake Marina. Recently hauled out and in excellent condition. New paint in and out, propane stove, new carpet, flooring and more! Roomie second story. Your kayak awaits right outside your bedroom door. Lives like a 2 bedroom or use large upstairs room as a living room with Lake Union view deck outside French doors.

A Grandfathered Seattle Housebarge (no sales tax!) measures 40.2×14 and is home to a much coveted liveaboard slip.

$199,000

This is a great end of the dock front row Seattle houseboat – you can compare it to other Seattle houseboats for sale right now and see that this one is a GREAT BUY!   Seattle houseboats and slips for sale

Seattle Houseboats Brokers at Cooper Jacobs Real Estate™

Email:  courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Call or Text: 206.850.8841  for more info or your own private showing of this or other Seattle houseboats

Seattle Afloat ®

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