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: 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

3110 Portage Bay Place E #F – Seattle Floating Home Listed Today!

Seattle Houseboats For Sale Market Info:  seattle floating homes for sale

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 Floating Home Tour In Style

Westlake Floating Home – $965,000 and just gorgeous Seattle waterfront living.

This is the perfect place to play all summer and cozy up in winter time by the fire to write your novel.  Seattle is full of life and with companies like Weyerhaeuser and Expedia moving in to close in Seattle neighborhoods, Westlake is a perfect place to live! Washington is still ranked as number one for bikes across the country and this Westlake floating home is right on the Burke-Gilman Trail!  With beautiful pathways and parks, Westlake has a lot to offer those looking at Seattle houseboats.

Please watch the video and then let us know if you would like more information.

seattlehouseboats@cooperjacobs.com  

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate proudly presents:

our gorgeous Seattle floating home listing at 2420 Westlake Ave N.

Please let us know if you would like more info on Seattle houseboats, Seattle floating homes, or Seattle waterfront homes.   Also, if you are thinking about listing your Seattle home, please know that we are among the few that pay for our client’s staging bills.  This will save you thousands of dollars and can end up netting you tens of thousands of dollars over list price.

Please email one of us for details (no catch – promise).

courtney@cooperjacobs.com

lake union houseboats

Seattle Houseboats For Sale: 2031 Fairview Ave E #G

Looking for Seattle houseboats for sale?

We just listed this gorgeous Seattle floating home on The Lake Union dock!  In looking at Seattle houseboats around the lake, this is one of two that are for sale right now that we really like. It is on a very large float and has a lot to offer for the perfect Seattle waterfront lifestyle.

If you would like to see it, please call or email us at seattlehouseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Open Houses:

Thursday 11AM – 1PM

Sunday 1PM – 4PM

2031 Fairview Ave E #Gseattle houseboats

Marketing Remarks From the Listing in the NWMLS:

Second from the end on one of Eastlake’s most charming docks, this one level floating home offers an amazing lifestyle afloat on Lake Union! Situated on one of the larger floats on the lake, this well built Cape Cod home features newer appliances, newer roof (with stairs for rooftop access and big views), maple hardwoods, french doors, and a real working fireplace. Catch all the action on the lake from your living room or front deck and enjoy the security of ownership a cooperative dock offers.

$975,000

Seattle Floating Home Features

Double Pane Storm Windows, Dining Room, French Doors, High Tech Cabling, Vaulted Ceilings, Walk-in Closet

Additional Information on this home:

  • Property Description Cable TV, Deck, Dock, Fully Fenced, High Speed Internet, Moorage
  • Taxes $1,993
  • Waterfront Lake, No Bank
  • View Lake, City
  • Lot Size 0.00 Acre (1 SqFt)
  • Exterior Wood
  • Fireplaces 1 Fireplace
  • Heating/Cooling Other-See Remarks
  • Roof Composition Roof
  • Flooring Ceramic Tile Floor, Hardwood Floor
seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats History Resource

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Seattle houseboats

Seattle Houseboats Real Estate Market Holiday Update

Dead of  Seattle winter during the holiday break… what could possibly be shaking down on Seattle Houseboats real estate?


Seattle houseboatsNot a ton, although, if you are a buyer, this is a great time to get out there because you have no competition on the lake or otherwise.

Right now there are only a couple choices in Seattle floating homes for sale and they are both priced between $1.1M and $1.6M – one in Eastlake and one in Portage Bay.

As far as recent sold Seattle houseboats, We listed the little guy in Portage bay at 3012 Fuhrman Ave N, Slip #D for $229,000 and it closed just before Christmas on 12/19 with a final sales price of $235,000.  We also listed and sold the Seattle floating home on 2331 Fairview Ave E, Slip #A which closed on 10/31/2014 and had a final selling price of $345,000.

Other recent Seattle floating homes for sale that have closed in escrow are as follows:Seattle houseboats

2207 Fairview Ave E #1  Listed for $800,000 and sold for $730,000  2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths 986 sq feet closed 12/9/2014

2351 Fairview Ave E #K Listed for $1,150,000 and sold for $1,100,000 2 bedrooms, 1.75 baths 1300 square feet closed on 11/14/2014

There are quite a few off market Lake Union and Portage Bay Seattle houseboats opportunities at the moment as well.  Spring will being more of these listings to light, so let us know what you are looking for and we will keep you in mind as they come up. Courtney 206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle houseboats

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

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


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

Seattle houseboats

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

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

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

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


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

Courtney Cooper 206.850.8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate:  Seattle Houseboats Realtors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

seattle houseboatsAdditional reading about these Seattle houseboats:

Summary Of Seattle Houseboats

Seattle Houseboats Market Update Details

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

Brand New Seattle Houseboats Listing!

Welcome to Life Afloat on Lake Union!

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

2025 Fairview Ave E #H

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

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

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

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

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

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

OK – So Basically You Have Three Choices…

Seattle Houseboats market staying afloat…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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