Questions people actually ask.

In Seattle's regulatory language, houseboats are Floating On-Water Residences (FOWR) — with marine systems: quick-disconnect water and power, and marine toilets with blackwater tanks. Floating homes are permanent structures hard-connected to city sewer, water, and electricity. The distinction drives everything from financing to taxes, so it's the first thing we sort out together.

One of the most common questions buyers and brokers ask is: “Where is the title?” A Seattle Floating on Water Residence (FOWR) is transferred as personal property rather than titled real estate. Unlike a traditional home or condominium, there is no real-property deed or traditional title report, and there is no traditional real-estate title insurance policy.

Instead, the FOWR has a King County Personal Property Account Number for personal-property tax purposes, and ownership transfers through the applicable purchase, sale, and closing documents. The FOWR and its moorage are separate matters — moorage may involve a lease, marina agreement, association, or other arrangement, and both sets of documents deserve careful review. Because it works differently from conventional real estate, buyers should work with professionals familiar with this specialized transaction. Full explainer: does a FOWR have a title?

Anywhere from $100,000 to over $4 million, depending on size, location, quality, and amenities. Floating properties are often more affordable per square foot than traditional homes in desirable areas, but prices are heavily influenced by market demand and the specifics of the moorage.

Financing for houseboats is limited — lenders like Sound Community Bank offer specialized houseboat loans with higher rates and stricter terms. Floating homes often qualify for portfolio loans, similar to residential lending. We'll point you at lenders who actually work on the water. See also our guide on getting a legitimate lender and getting pre-approved.

Moorage is the slip your home floats in — and it comes in three flavors. Owned moorage offers stability and control but is rare in Seattle and costs more upfront. Rental moorage is more common, flexible, but with variable costs and restrictions. Co-op/condo moorage is preferred for its stability and long-term control of the slip, which is often reflected in the home's price.

No — Seattle's shoreline code prohibits short-term rentals of floating properties. If a rental strategy is part of your plan, talk to us before you buy so we can steer you toward properties that fit it.

Get pre-approved by a legitimate lender first — it tells you your real budget and makes your offers credible. We wrote a plain-English walkthrough: getting a legitimate lender and getting pre-approved.

Your FICO score shapes both whether you qualify and the rate you pay. Our Learning Center covers it from several angles: what a FICO score is, a brief explanation, and how FICO scores affect your mortgage.

It depends on the loan program and the property type — floating properties play by their own rules. Start with our guide on your savings and down payment, then let's talk specifics.

Lender fees, title, escrow, recording, and prorations — they add up, and they're negotiable in places people don't expect. See closing costs when buying or refinancing and closing and title costs.

Escrow is the neutral third party that holds the money and documents until every condition of the sale is met. Our guide on the functions of an escrow walks through the whole sequence.

Pricing correctly on day one, preparing the home, and marketing it to the right buyers — not just listing it. Our guide on getting the highest price in the shortest time covers the strategy we use.

The highest number isn't always the strongest offer — financing type, contingencies, and timelines matter as much as price. We break it down in considering offers.

Substantially. Floating properties need buyers educated on moorage and financing; condos and PUDs carry association layers (see condominium and PUD ownership); rural properties may involve septic systems. Specialized properties are exactly what Linda M. Bagley does.