Seattle Real Estate:  August 2009 Seattle houseboats market:  Seattle floating homes on the market now and recent activity.  The floating homes market hasn't been touched as much by the lending market because floating homes always required 20-30% down minimum for a purchase.  Still, there have been some recent offerings on the Seattle real estate market that have made living in a floating home more affordable.

 

 

The first distinction is the difference between a vessel and a floating home.  Although we only have one category in the MLS  (24-Houseboat), these are two very different things. I would even go as far as to argue that a vessel should not be in the MLS because it is a live aboard boat and not part of Seattle real estate at all.  There are house barges, too, to complicate it even further, but the overall best investment in my opinion is a true floating home - preferably with a condo ownership dock. 

 

Important distinctions: House barges and vessels are both designed to actually navigate the water - one with self propulsion and the other with out, while a floating home is a single family dwelling built on a float.  There are other differences, too - water and sewer for example.  A floating home has a direct connection to the public water and sewer while a vessel and barge only have a water hose for water and a holding tank for sewer.  There is excise tax on a house barge and a floating home, but the buyer of a vessel pays sales tax and an annual registration fee (like your car).  The list goes on.....  My point?  All houseboats are not created equal.

 

 

While there are 33 Seattle houseboats that are active, pending or recently closed in the MLS today, I am going to only focus on floating homes here.  There is a wonderful estate 1 bedroom /1 bath floating home in Eastlake listed for $475,000 right now.  It needs some work, but would be a great first step.  There are four major areas where you can find floating homes - Eastlake, Westlake, Portage Bay on the Capitol Hill side, and Portage Bay on Boat Street in the U-District.  Choosing which neighborhood suits you best is all about what you like in regards to light and nearby amenities.  Eastlake has arguably one of the best wine shops in Seattle right down by the floating homes on Fairview while Westlake floating homes are near one of the very best sandwich makers around Seattle.  It is all about personal choice here.

 

There are some wonderful Eastlake and Portage Bay options in the $700,000 to $900,000 range and right now there is also a rare opportunity with a front row Roanoke Reef floating home for $2,250,000.  Recent sales include one home pending at $635,000 and several sales ranging from $486,500 (listed at $500,000) for a 1 bedroom in Eastlake to $1,200,000 for a spacious Eastlake floating home which was listed for $1,300,000. 

 

Seattle real estate at its best:  floating homes...  let us know if you want to see one or have more questions.  206-251-5948 realestate@cooperjacobs.com