Portage Bay floating home just closed in escrow! Seattle Afloat represents another lucky buyer and seller!
Seattle floating homes inventory is down so it’s no wonder we got so much activity on this one! Let us know if you are interested in buying or selling a floating home or waterfront home in Seattle. Lots of options wither way and we look forward to speaking with you about your situation. We just closed on this beautiful spot on the lake. Two bedrooms and 1.75 baths with gorgeous high ceilings and tall view windows. This is one of the floating homes in the Shelby Street area that look right up the Montlake Cut with a perfect front row seat to Opening Boat Day!
Welcome to the Gold Coast of peaceful Portage Bay! Incredible light filled end of dock floating home with views across the bay and straight up the Montlake Cut. Enjoy opening boat day from your front row seat or hop in your boat and head to Ivar’s. Enjoy living on the 3.2 Portage Bay Loop and just steps from neighborhood favorite Little Lago. This beauty has 2 levels of living with timeless wooden details and tall beamed ceilings. Large picture windows and sunny decks take in the constant boat parade. Open floor plan and warm fireplace plus forced air heating. Easy commute in all directions and fantastic waterfront living. Price includes home only.
Feel free to reach out for more info on this or other opportunities on the lake. houseboats@cooperjacobs.com. call/text 206-850-8841 We are floating home experts and I live on the lake in a floating home. I look forward to talking to you more!
Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness Today we bought a floating home via the specialist expertise of Seattle Afloat. I think the best word to describe the experience is awesome. We now have the beautiful, design-centered home that matches our style at an affordable price… surrounded by an amazing community. Our home now floats …with an amazing sun-deck view of the Seattle skyline. We bought it while living on the East Coast during a pandemic – challenging! But it all worked with their successfully maneuvering us through the process. What I like most about them is I could truly trust them – and with that trust and their understanding of the “essence” of our quirky needs…we got an amazing property today.
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 aFloating home and here is FOWR
How much does a houseboat cost in Seattle? How much do floating homes cost?
That is a good question. This year we saw overall houseboats sales range from $90,000 to $4,500,000 for for all types of houseboats including floating homes. Two floating home sales hit the four million dollars and over mark for the first time. There are 56 sales in the MLS as of this moment and we know there are two additional ones closing and also at least a few that sold off market completely out of the mls. This is why it is so very important to tell us what you are looking for. We are highly networked into this amazing community and we can help you secure your Lake Union home!
Where are the houseboats in Seattle? Where is the best place to live on a houseboat?
Anywhere. There is a saying that basically says if you are lucky enough to live on a houseboat then you are lucky enough. This is so true. This lifestyle is like none other. Whether you are on a floating home or a houseboat, you are living a similar lake life. Living on Lake Union is like nothing else. It is an incredible contrast of urban and natural settings married together perfectly. The people that live on the lake are all interesting and life is never dull. This map needs to be updated to include larger houseboat collections..
Can you 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
Boaters Paradise at this beautiful newly listed Eastlake floating home.
This Eastlake floating home is on the eastern side of Seattle’s Lake Union and second from the end of the dock. An outdoor lover’s dream, there is a heated bike locker, racks for your water toys, and a spot to park your companion boat. Catch the amazing sunsets from the beautiful rooftop deck or dine on your floating accessory raft. Either way, there isn’t a better place available to enjoy life afloat in Eastlake. $1,650,000 (Update: Sold on 11/4/2020 $1,900,000)
Eastlake’s perfect sunny southern spot & 2nd from the end, yet offset to open up big views! An artist’s dream w/ soaring ceilings & gleaming wood floors. Custom matching furniture & kitchen by Wes Smith w/ quartz countertops, Liebherr fridge, Fisher Paykel range (gas cooktop/electric oven), Bosch dishwasher, custom pantry storage. A reader’s paradise w/ library wall & rolling ladder. Outside spaces include rooftop & water level decks, large 31+ x 8 foot rare accessory raft & room for your boat!
You can see all Seattle floating homes on this site on the home page. We look forward to helping you learn about life afloat on Lake Union’s historic and gorgeous floating homes neighborhoods!
Welcome to the newly redone Shelby Dock! Upscale dock rebuild and incredible channel views make this the ideal spot to call home! Just listed by Courtney Cooper for $765,000
Seattle floating homes in Portage Bay have been well sought after in recent years. Here is one that hasn’t changed hands for forty years! Its adorable, too! Ready for its legacy to be passed on to its next occupant, this sweet floating home is the princess of houseboats! From the moment you step down Shelby Street in Portage Bay, you may have the same feeling that most residents here have – one of your shoulders relaxing and the entire day melting away. Many times, I have heard of this account and experience it myself on a regular basis. This truly is peaceful Portage Bay, but that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening here! This home has an incredible channel view to the full boat parade! If that’s not enough jump into your kayak or paddle out on your SUP.
One bedroom with large walk in closet and super cool historical Jalousie windows, stacking washer and dryer and all fir floors throughout. This is a gem and has a large covered wrap around deck complete with haint paint in the eves. Enjoy your fun neighbors and the private coveted lush garden on the shores of this cooperatively owned moorage’s property. In addiiton, it comes with on shore storage at no additional charge. The monthly dues cover all your utilities except for electricity and cable.internet, and the home is equipped with a super efficiient newer pellet stove.
Enjoy living on the banks of Portage Bay in this incredible part of town. So close to Little Lago, that the lovely smalls of their wood fired pizza and hand made espresso drinks billow through the air when the gentle breezes go by. Located on the Portage Bay Loop, this is a great spot to jump on the 3.2 mile loop around the bay which is the eastern arm of Lake Union. Paddle to Ivar’s for some fish and chips or go through the Montlake Cut and check out the waterways of the Arboretum and Foster Island. There is no shortage of adventure and peace here! $765,000
Some of the details of this Portage Bay floating home:
735 square feet
1 bedroom
1 bath (includes a tub!)
sunny eat in kitchen
owned moorage for home
room to tie up your kayaks
on shore storage
private community garden
Regarding any statistical info from the NWMLS: Information and statistics derived from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
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
Check out the cool finish work on this one. High end finishes including Fisher Paykel appliances and lots of stone, glass,and marble!
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.
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.
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
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
On the southern most Seattle floating homes dock in Eastlake, you will find this beauty! It is officially a two bedroom, but we are calling it a one PLUS bedroom because it offers flexibility in living on Lake Union – two bedrooms, one bedroom with office/playroom/den, or combine the two for a large master suite. Your choice, but lots of options on pretty much one of the best run coop dock on the lake, The Log Foundation.
1 + Bedroom
1 Bath
Dues are only $345/month
Owned co-op moorage for your home
I love the story of this particular home. It was hauled in and completely refurbished and is just gorgeous and charming on the inside. It has always been one of my favorites and offers easy living with close location to Amazon and other South Lake Union places, plus Downtown. Eastlake is a great neighborhood and the water lifestyle is like no other. Rarely can you step into the Seattle houseboats lifestyle at this price.
A turn key opportunity to start living on the lake in our beautiful city! This sweet floating home in Eastlake exemplifies tiny living to the maximum. Toasty radiant bamboo flooring leads you to a large living room with french doors out to your wrap around deck. Two bedrooms now or make into one custom larger suite. Newly remodeled bathroom to soak in the tub after a session on the lake with your SUP or perhaps a jog around Lake Union. A lifestyle you won’t want to pass up!
Gorgeous Westlake: Your Haven From Work – and Traffic
Live the Seattle houseboats lifestyle and play in the water! Easy commute – Close enough to Downtown and South Lake Union to bike or walk or use public transit, this Westlake floating home is a perfect place to live if you work at Amazon! Waterfront living at it’s very best and quintessential Seattle living on Lake Union!
2420 Westlake Ave N #13
This is THE Westlake floating home listing you have been waiting for. It’s a large two bed/two bath home with expansive views. Deep water moorage and can tie up about a 32′ boat. You own the slip and your views are outstanding! Let us know if you’d like to see it. Westlake floating homes are few and far between as anyone who has been on the hunt for one knows. They are highly coveted on Lake Union. This one has open spaces and lives large. $1,700,000
Listing Remarks of this floating home…
“Front and center on Lake Union! This stand out home is the epitome of Pacific NW comfort and design. Warm interior wood, open floor plan, custom built ins everywhere, large kitchen island for those social gatherings. Hints of style everywhere you look. Fabulous walk in pantry, and durable paperstone countertops. Storage galore inside and out. Two large custom decks with massive unobstructed views of Gas Works Park, 4th of July fireworks & more! Tie up your boat along side and have some fun!”
Floating home features
Bath Off Master, Ceiling Fan(s), Double Pane Storm Windows, French Doors, Skylights
Call/Text Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 for your own private showing or email us: houseboats@CooperJacobs.com. We are happy to help you buy or sell your Seattle floating home.
Seattle Houseboats – Seattle Floating Homes With Owned Moorage Only Update
Current Seattle floating homes for sale with owned moorage range in price from $1,800,000 for two floating homes listed – one in Westlake and one in Portage Bay to $2,685,000 just listed in Eastlake. The average days on market for these five Seattle floating homes is 14 days with a range of cumulative days on market of 1 day for Roanoke Reef to just 21 days.
Price range of these Seattle houseboats: $1,800,000 – $2,685,000
Average Days on Market for the 5: 14 days
Lake Union Floating homes neighborhoods available: Eastlake, Westlake, Portage Bay
Average Dollar Per Sq Foot: $1454.04 with a range of $1200/sq ft for our gorgeous Westlake floating home listing to $1757.81 for a floating home in Portage Bay.
Why owned moorage?
Owning your moorage for your houseboat has always been a key component of value and security. Seattle floating homes with owned moorage are more valuable and also a more secure form of ownership so the above numbers are all in reference to floating homes with secure slips – whether on a condo or a co-op organized dock.
Our favorite Seattle floating homes:
We are partial because three of the five of the above Seattle floating homes for sale are represented by us, but they are in fact fabulous so I will talk about them as our favorites anyway. In addition, we have two really great slips in Portage Bay for sale for $950,000 ready for you to build your dream home – dream new construction floating home that is! We have a cool one for sale in each Lake Union neighborhood!
Westlake: 2420 Westlake Ave N #13 – deep water moorage for a 32 foot boat here! This is a 2 bedroom 1.75 bath 1500 square foot floating home with big views and excellent Seattle waterfront living. $1,800,000
Eastlake: 2339 Fairview Ave E #O – tie your boat up here, too! Coveted and hard to find three bedroom floating home on well managed Tenas Chuck dock. Three bedroom, 1.5 baths 1350 square feet, Beautiful views including sought after Space Needle, and more – second from the end of the dock! $2,250,000
Portage Bay: 3146 Portage Bay Pl E #J – New construction and condo ownership with parking! Three bedroom floating home with 2.5 baths. Come experience the peaceful serenity of life on Lake Union’s eastern most boundary, Portage Bay which was featured as the geographic location of choice on the recent 2016 Seattle Floating Homes Association Tour. $1,998,000
Please let us know if you have questions or are curious about how much your Seattle floating home is worth. We are happy to help you buy or sell your home.
Call/Text Courtney Cooper for more info /206-850-8841 houseboats@cooperjacobs.com
Welcome home to the condominium owned dock at Portage Bay Place – 3146 Portage Bay Pl E #J is a beautiful new construction Seattle floating home on a condo owned dock. Seattle Houseboats Living on Lake Union’s Portage Bay. Portage Bay is Lake Union’s east arm and connects Lake Union to Lake Washington’s Union Bay. It’s an interesting location because it offers both a peaceful setting and also a great spot to watch the boat parade on their way back and forth between the two lakes. Seaplanes take off here, too!
Check the things off your list:
3 bedrooms
2.5 baths
almost 1600 square feet
roof top deck
parking
condo dock
Be the first to own a new construction floating home on a great condo owned dock. This beautiful custom designed home by Prentiss+Balance+Wickline marvels in walnut hardwood floors throughout the 1580 square feet of luxury.
Four decks to entertain or soak up the sun. The reverse floor plan maximizes views and light in a 360 fashion. A chef’s kitchen makes it fun to entertain and cook. Timeless Ceasarstone counter tops & custom cabinetry. Spectacular roof top deck for more outdoor space.
Large Spaces in this Seattle floating homes for sale –
This 2 bedroom 1269 square foot Seattle floating home built in 1920 has 1.75 baths and checks all the boxes you have been looking for plus it comes in well under a million dollars which is difficult to find these days. Looking for an affordable Seattle waterfront living situation in city with parking? Seattle houseboats are a great option and this is the spot! And what an amazing spot it is anyway – gorgeous lapping water on the shores of peaceful Portage Bay, but also really close to all you need to be close to – easy walk around Northern Capitol Hill, Eastlake, University District and more or do the Portage Bay Loop which is comparable to walking around Green Lake, but has even more interesting things to see.
As far as the list of must haves for Seattle houseboats, this beautiful floating home at 3146 Portage Bay Pl E checks all the boxes:
two stories
decks
secure condo moorage
moorage for your boat
deeded parking
storage
historical charm
vaulted ceilings
sturdy home with well maintained float
This classic condo owned floating home in Peaceful Portage Bay is an amazing opportunity to create your own vision.
Gardens welcome you to the front door and a large vaulted entry creates an abundant of light and texture as you enter. Fantastic french
doors spill out to a large deck so you can hop into your boat and cruise around the lake or hang out with friends and fire up the grill! Enjoy upper level en-suite with a deck. This home includes one deeded parking space and a storage unit on site. $785,000
Please let us know if you are interested in seeing this fabulous Seattle floating home for sale!
email: houseboats@cooperjacobs.com call/text 206-850-8841 Courtney Cooper
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.
Welcome To A Rare Portage Bay Floating Homes Opportunity On The Shelby Dock!
Live Life Afloat In Seattle™ Coveted Portage Bay Floating Homes: This Seattle floating home is located on the coveted Shelby Dock in Portage Bay and has not changed hands in nearly four decades. Rarely do you get the opportunity to live in such a magical place, but one has presented itself in this beautifully and lovingly renovated floating home towards the end of the dock. Seattle Houseboats are a spectacular Seattle Waterfront Living Opportunity always, but this particular one truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are so excited to bring it to the Seattle floating homes market and look forward to showing it to you! There will be no open houses – only exclusive showings so call or text Seattle Floating Homes Expert Realtor – You can also email us at Houseboats@CooperJacobs.com
Here are the MLS remarks for this Portage Bay Floating Home:
Life on the shores of Portage Bay is a unique lifestyle like no other. Enjoy a comfortable 2 bedroom, 2 bath floating home with over 1200 square feet of lake living. Views of the lapping water as you sip your morning coffee before launching your SUP or kayak. Gleaming hardwoods on the main and a charming updated bathroom plus guest room. Lots of room for all your toys & fabulous entertaining home.Large master suite including private office, covered deck, & bonus room upstairs. Own your moorage! $945,000 and won’t last. 1213 E Shelby St #13
Call/Text us for more info or for your own private showing. There will be no open houses, so please call for an appointment. 206-850-8841
Colorful Seattle Houseboats History on The Log Foundation docks of Eastlake in 2014. Image courtesy of Cooper Jacobs Real Estate.
Seattle Houseboats History Has A “Colorful” Background & Entrepreneurial Spirit Transcends Time…
To look at all the colorful and cheery Lake Union floating homes today is to never know how truly Seattle houseboats history is. Seattle floating homes are a living and evolving part of Seattle’s history. From their humble beginnings over a hundred years ago as floating shanties compiled of pillaged lumber, it is amazing to see that some sell for over $3 Million dollars in today’s real estate market.
Seattle houseboats were originally built in two different ways. Either the worker would utilize his commuting work boat and build living quarters above it, or they would gather “loose” logs and raft them together to build a completely free floating structure. It was an inexpensive way of living and was tax free on top of it.
Map of Seattle houseboats along shores of Madison Park. Image Courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives Item #944
At the peak, the Seattle floating homes community was as large as two thousand houseboats lining the shores of the city in various locations which even included Madison Park in Lake Washington. The residents of the surrounding Seattle neighborhoods reportedly snubbed them and looked down at this way of life. They apparently felt that it was beneath their standards and so began the struggle of Seattle houseboats to Stay Afloat In Seattle™. Today there are around 500 Seattle floating homes and probably another two or three hundred liveaboards that are officially newly categorized as Seattle Floating On-Water Residences (final count once all have registered themselves in the latest legislation). The latest Seattle floating home dock was a new construction floating home development called Ward’s Cove. Very specific requirements need to be in place in order to develop new construction Seattle floating homes, so it is next to impossible to do so.
If The City Historically Wanted Them Gone, Why Did They Allow Docks To Begin With?
Here is a view towards Downtown from the South slope of Denny Hill in 1886 (photo courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives Item # 2869)
The short answer is The University of Washington. Wait. What? The long answer is that Seattle has a very long history of making some incredibly hairbrained decisions as far as infrastructure goes. A perfect example (and my apologies for going off subject here for a minute, but….) The Denny Regrade: The hill is too big? Scrape it into the Puget Sound.In 1900, the city decided to basically eliminate a whole hill which covered 62 city blocks. Denny Hill was a significantly beautiful hill in Seattle. It had a gorgeous crowned jewel of a hotel atop it that was so grand that even President Theodore Roosevelt stayed there! It had an old cemetery and a beautiful park on it with expansivel views in all directions. In all, they removed a reported six million cubic yards of earth.
Connecting the dots: What does this all have to do with Seattle houseboats and The University of Washington? Let’s go backwards. The modern day campus of The University of Washington was largely laid out and shaped by The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909. In 1907 the city of Seattle platted and sold the submerged “parcels” in Lake Union to the adjacent waterfront property land owners. This enabled docks to be built and Seattle houseboats to be moored to them. According to The Lake Union Mail on an article about Submerged Parcels Park on the Cheshiahud Loop, “The “Lake Union Shore Lands” were created in 1907 as a funding mechanism for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (S.B. #101). Water extending from shore approximately one block (roughly 400 feet) was platted as buildable land, then sold. These parcels didn’t sink, they started sunk. And they were considered valuable.” Now you know how a World’s Fair, Denny Hill, The University of Washington, and Seattle Houseboats are related.
While replacing the carpet for one of our Seattle historic houseboat listings in 2010, we found an old booze hatch left over from Prohibition days. Image Courtesy of Courtney Cooper.
More Shady Past on The Lake: Life Afloat In Seattle℠: You Want To Stay Dry, Except When It Comes To Your Drink…..
Creativity has always been a strong characteristic of the Seattle floating homes community. This was never so true as during the prohibition era. According to the 1996 article by Sharon Boswell in The Seattle Times, “But for those who couldn’t afford the pleasures of Doc’s or one of the hundreds of other boozy night spots and music clubs along Jackson Street, in Belltown or even on Lake Union houseboats, there was always a bottle of locally produced bootleg available to consume in the privacy of home.” If floating homes seem like an unlikely place to get your alcohol fix then consider thatIn his highly acclaimed book,“Seattle’s Unsinkable Houseboats”, Howard Droker tells the story of a very enterprising entrepreneur who along with the cedar bark he sold off his boat, also sold smuggled Canadian liquor.
It’s absolutely true. If you take a peek under carpets of older floating homes you will see the leftover evidence of the Prohibition era and how crafty houseboaters were able to not stay dry. Many of them have hidden trap doors under the floor that were used for storing alcohol. At one point in time there were regular “rum run” routes such as the one Droker writes about which would make their rounds delivering to Lake Union floating homes. These booze hatches were ingenious and stored between the floating logs with a wire cage so that the waters of the lake itself could keep the liquor cold and well hidden. According to HistoryLink.org, The Seattle Times noted at one point that in regard to those wild times, “Some of the stories behind the houseboat population are as colorful as anything that ever came out of Seattle’s history, but respect for another’s privacy and past is an unspoken code on the lake.”
This historic Seattle houseboat was once used as a floating dance hall. It is for sale today for $697,000. Listed by Cooper Jacobs Real Estate.
Seattle Houseboats Are Still Afloat & Strong Today
Go experience their magic – Take a kayak tour through Lake Union and Portage Bay where you will find what is left of the Seattle floating homes community. Take a walk around Lake Union on the Cheshiahud Loop. Lake Union is the very heart of the city. Try and imagine the colorful past as you look at the beauty and creativeness which is so abundant today. This is a living and breathing Seattle neighborhood, but also a significant part of Northwest history. It is as vibrant as the wonderful people who live in it. I am so thankful to have known so many of them and appreciate how they have enriched my life so far. Please also take a minute and donate to the Seattle Floating Homes Association if you can.
Want more information on Seattle houseboats?
We are happy to help! Please call Courtney. We are Seattle Houseboats Experts ℠, and have been Seattle Realtors specializing in floating homes and waterfront for many years. We look forward to helping you find your piece of Lake Union.
Seattle Afloat®– The Seattle Houseboats Market Is Floating Despite Reports On Low Lake Union Levels…
Here we are in the final days of August 2015 already and the Seattle houseboats market has been incredibly surprising and action packed so far this year! Multiple reports on the risk associated with historically low Lake Union levels and still we are Afloat in Seattle™! As of this AM, in the last 30 days there have been 5 SOLD Seattle floating homes that have closed in escrow through the NWMLS. These are not the “For Sale By Owner” Seattle houseboats and these are just the Seattle floating homes – not the other types of Seattle houseboats like floating on water residences, etc. Just floating homes. Cooper Jacobs Real Estate has Seattle Realtors that specialize in Seattle houseboats and Seattle waterfront homes. (Seattle houseboats experts we were involved in two of the last five sales below.)
2818 Boyer Ave E #2 in Portage Bay is a 1 bedroom, .75 bath 600 square foot Seattle floating home. It was built in 1930. It was listed for $395,000 and after 5 days on the market sold on 7/21/15 for $410,000 (103.80% of sales price to list price). $683.33/sq ft
2031 Fairview Ave E #N in Eastlake is a 885 square foot 1 bedroom and 1 bath home built in 1925. It was orignially listed for $510,000 and dropped its price to $499,000. After 90 days on market, it sold for $465,000 (93.19% sales price to list price). $525.42 square foot
2420 Westlake Ave #7 * in Westlake is a 1065 square foot 2 bedrom and 1.5 bath floating home that we listed. It was built in 1929, but completely redone and sold for $875,000 after 103 days on market (97.44 % sales price to list price) 821.60 a square foot *Cooper Jacobs Real Estate represented the Seller
1214 Hamlin Ave St #9 in Portage Bay – A 3 bedroom 2 bath 1500 square foot floating home built in 1971. It was listed and sold for $1,298,500 after 11 days on market. $865.67 square foot
2466 Westlake Ave N #19* in Westlake – we represented the buyer for this fabulous Seattle floating home. It is a 2 bedroom and 1.75 bath home built in 1940. It was listed and sold for $1,350,000 with 7 days on market. *Cooper Jacobs Real Estate represented the Buyer
So what is for sale in Seattle Houseboats world now on Lake Union?
There are five Seattle floating homes for sale in the MLS right now. These do not include Seattle houseboats for sale by owner. They range in price from $499,000 to $1,495,000 with an average days on market of 38 days. The median list price is $750,000. They are all in Eastlake! In addition there is one floating home that is pending in the MLS priced at $2,895,000 (Wards Cove).
Our favorite by far of course is a great floating home on The Log Foundation dock which happens to be one of the best run and most established coop on Lake Union. If you are looking for Seattle houseboat living, then this is a great choice! It is a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1300 square feet floating home built in 1930 with lots of updates.
It is south facing! To be south facing and in Eastlake is highly coveted. This one is all one level and well oriented with the water. It is listed for $697,000. Please let us know if you would like to see it. It won’t last long. Also, if you are looking for Seattle houseboats for rent, there are some available right now (A lot of people ask about Seattle houseboats for vacation rental, but the majority of these homes are rented long term).
Want to learn more about Seattle Houseboats and life on Lake Union Afloat? We would be happy to help!
There are some great Seattle houseboats for sale out there, but this lovely Eastlake floating home is making its debut for the first time in a very long time.
2 Bedrooms
1 Bath
1300 Square Feet
Built in 1930
Remodeled Kitchen
South Facing
Owned Moorage on Well Organized Dock
More info about this great Eastlake Seattle floating home:
2019 Fairview Ave E
Look no further. You’ve just discovered the quintessential Eastlake Floating Home. The massive float size is perfect to entertain on your south facing deck. One bedroom & one smaller. Third room for another bedroom, office or den. Newly remodeled kitchen, with gas range, stainless steel appliances, and granite counter tops. Well established Log Foundation Co-op. Great location to enjoy all the Eastlake activities. Extra Boat Moorage with co-op approval. Welcome Home! $697,000
Lots going on across Lake Union! There are three Seattle floating homes for sale in Eastlake right now – ranging in price form $525,000 to $1,495,000. All are two bedrooms which gives you a good indicator that it isn’t about bedroom count for Seattle houseboats! There is one other of the Seattle Floating On-Water Residences for sale in Gas Works Park Marina at $519,000 as well.
Pending Seattle Floating Homes In The NWMLS
There are four Seattle floating homes pending in the NWMLS right now. These range in price from $395,000 for a Portage Bay floating home to $1,298,000 for another Portage bay houseboat. There is one of each in Westlake and Eastlake pending as well. They range in bedroom count from 1 to 3 bedrooms and have other individual perks as well. For instance, our Westlake Floating home for sale is part of a co-op that purchased a money making marina to pay for costs of the dock. It is currently pending. Each one of these homes is so different and that is why when you are looking at Seattle houseboats it is really important to talk to someone who has the experience needed to help you navigate the waters of lake Union and Seattle Houseboat Living ℠.
Closed Transactions on Lake Union: Seattle Houseboats SOLD – at least EIGHT IN SIXTY DAYS.
There were at least two other Floating On-Water Residences as well, but let’s look at the Seattle floating homes segment of Seattle houseboats for sale. There were six Seattle floating homes that closed in escrow in the NWMLS in the last sixty days. They ranged in list price from $499,000 to $2,595,000 and range in sales price3 from $465,000 to $2,475,000 with an average sales price to list price ratio of 98.03%.
You can see the full NWMLS sheets and comparisons here:
Average days on market was 26 days for these. They were all around Lake Union in Eastlake, Westlake, and Portage Bay. The Lake Union Dock had a couple change hands. Fairview Landing also had one sell. We specialize in floating homes and waterfront homes, so happily we were involved in a third of these home sales. We sold a great one at 2466 Westlake Ave N for $1,350,000 (on the market for just 7 days) and we listed the beautiful white floating home at 2031 Fairview Ave E for $975,000 (it sold in 5 days for $971,000). It is difficult to judge these unique Seattle waterfront homes by dollar per square foot. The range of dollar per square foot pricing is as unique as each of these homes – ranging from $525.42 to $1225.85. The median price was $1,160,000. For Seattle houseboats, it really is about your unique needs. Please let us know what you are looking for in a new Lake Union home.
Here are some of the most common things that we get asked about with Seattle Houseboats:
Views
Boat Moorage
Rooftop deck
Neighborhood
Parking
Dock Position (End of dock moorage is always the most desirable and the most expensive)
Form of Ownership (Co-op, Condo, Fee Simple, Leased)
In the last sixty days, there have been many significant sale in the Seattle houseboat community. There have been nine closed sales in the NWMLS for Seattle floating homes and also for Seattle houseboats which are classified as a barge (house barge).
Here are some of the details of the Seattle houseboats which have closed in escrow:
2727 Fairview Ave E #3 This is a grandfathered in Seattle housebarge which was gorgeous. It has 2 bedrooms and was listed on 4/5/2015 for $399,000 and sold for $404,000 after 6 days on the market. It is located on the Hamlin Pier in Eastlake. No sales tax on Seattle housebarges for sale if you can find them.
3125 Fairview Ave E #B This 2 bedroom 875 square foot Seattle floating home was listed on 4/30/2015 for $575,000 and sold for full price three days later. I closed in escrow 5/29/2015.
2727 Fairview Ave E #12 This Seattle floating home is on Hamlin Pier which is a leased dock in Eastlake. It was listed for $695,000 on 3/6/2015 and on the market for 22 days before closing on 4/30/2015 with a final sales price of $675,000.
2031 Fairview Ave E #P The Lake Union Dock in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood. The next three sold on this dock. The floating home in slip #P is 1050 square feet and 2 bedrooms. It was listed for $725,000 on 4/28/2015 and after 3 days on the market sold for $715,000 and closed on 6/5/2015. It is the first houseboat on the dock.
2031 Fairview Ave E #B Another Lake Union Dock gem, we sold this gorgeous Seattle houseboat to our lucky clients who came out ahead in a fierce multiple offer situation. This two bedroom 1200 square foot floating home was listed on 4/1/2015 for $895,000 and sold after six days on the market and closed in escrow on 5/19/2015 for $900,000.
2031 Fairview Ave E #G we had the pleasure of listing this one with LeAnne. We listed it on 4/27/2015 for $975,000 and after 5 days on the market it went under contract for full price. During the inspection, we adjusted the price somewhat for a final sales price of $971,000. It closed on 6/10/2015. This Seattle floating home is a two bedroom 1184 square foot houseboat in Eastlake. It is second from the end of the dock and offers some pretty great views and nice finish work.
3236 Portage Bay Pl Moving over to Portage Bay, this two bedroom Seattle floating home was listed on 9/15/2014 for $1,100,000 and after 152 days on the market, it closed in escrow at $1,067,000 on 5/15/2015. This houseboat offered a unique situation which make it difficult to price – a couple parking spaces and an on land rental income opportunity. People looking for Seattle houseboats for rent would like the land rental and this one also has no HOA so no dues.
10 E Roanoke Reef St #12 Awwe… Roanoke Reef floating homes! Roanoke Reef is one of the three standards in Seattle luxury floating homes. This three bedroom floating home is on the back row and offers 1562 square feet of living space to stretch out for your life afloat in Seattle. It was listed for 4/5/2015 for $1,690,000 and after 276 days on the market sold for cash. It closed on 5/8/2015 for a final sales price of $1,640,000.
3212 Portage Bay Place #B Brand new! Seattle new construction floating homes in Seattle are few and far between. This one is back over in Portage Bay again and is one of the latest Seattle luxury floating homes to hit the houseboat market. It was listed for $1,750,000 on 3/28/2015 and after 35 days on the market it sold for full asking price and cash and closed on 5/27/2015. The square footage is 1850 square feet of stunning interiors and three bedrooms which is difficult to find outside of Roanoke Reef, Mallard Cove, or Wards Cove.
So the average days on market for these Seattle houseboats for sale is 56 days. The average dollar per square foot is $751.95 with a range of $657.14 to $1,049.94 for the Seattle floating homes and $404 for the Seattle housebarge Big Brother that closed. The median sales price for all of these Seattle houseboats is $900,000.
One Final note on The Seattle Houseboats Market:
The sales price to list price ratio is 99.02% making the Seattle floating homes market a healthy opportunity for Seattle buyers who want to be in city but can’t seem to compete in the current market. In Seattle land homes for certain neighborhoods, homes are selling for $100,000 to $200,000 and more over list in the same price range. Why not take your buying power and apply it towards Seattle’s most affordable waterfront and closest in city neighborhood? We still have multiple offers in the Seattle floating homes market, but the competition is at a more reasonable pace. I think if more buyers were aware of the attainability of this amazing lifestyle, then more people might jump in and enjoy this unique lifestyle of life afloat in Seattle.
Please call us if you would like to learn more about living life on Lake Union. Courtney Cooper Seattle Houseboats Realtors. We specialize in Seattle floating homes, Seattle waterfront, Seattle luxury homes, and Seattle neighborhoods. Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, SeattleAfloat.com for Life Afloat In Seattle’s Lake Union Neighborhood.
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).
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 #G
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
To the Seattle houseboats community: thank you for your business.We love serving the Seattle floating homes community and look forward to doing it for a long time. Please email us or call us if you need anything at all
– Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 Courtney@CooperJacobs.com
We are Seattle Houseboats Realtors. Seattle Afloat / Cooper Jacobs Real Estate
2764 Westlake Ave N # D, Seattle Floating Home Just Listed!
$365,500 with co-op owned Lake Union moorage
Really adorable Historic Seattle Houseboat D: Want a Seattle floating home? Enjoy life on Lake Union in this great floating home circa 1910 but with great updates through the years. This is one of the originals! Log foundation with newer roof and deck on co-op owned Lake Union moorage dock!
Sleeping loft, large kitchen, plus additional den/office to the back, this floating home has vaulted ceilings, skylights, and more! Great condo alternative for in city living with flair. Cats ok and dogs ok with co-op approval. Low dues cover almost everything you need!
Just steps from Fremont at the base of Queen Anne along Westlake Ave N, this is the perfect location for easy access to Downtown Seattle, Queen Anne, Fremont, and more and right on the Cheshiahud Loop (Lake Union Loop) with quick access to all the other walking and cycling trails and paths that intersect right in that area! Another perk? Right by new Amazon location!
Throw your kayak in at the end of the dock and enjoy Life Afloat in Seattle™!
Want more info on this Seattle floating home or other Seattle Houseboats?
