$2,750,000
Active
2331 Fairview Avenue E H Seattle, Washington
1 Beds 1 Baths 680 SqFt
$1,798,000
Active
2420 Westlake Avenue N 4 Seattle, Washington
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,400 SqFt
$950,000
Active
2401 N Northlake Way B15 Seattle, Washington
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,000 SqFt
$485,000
Active
2040 Westlake Avenue N 3A Seattle, Washington
1 Beds 1 Baths 566 SqFt 0.017 Acres
$395,000
Active
3141 Fairview Avenue E 806 Seattle, Washington
2 Beds 1 Baths 560 SqFt
$150,000
Active
10 North River Floathouse SR 105 Raymond, Washington
2 Beds 1 Baths 725 SqFt 0.166 Acres
$825,000
Active
2401 N Northlake Way B13 Seattle, Washington
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,300 SqFt 0.025 Acres
There is something very alluring about houses floating in a body of water that people are often drawn to. Many people only dream of owning a houseboat to spend some leisurely time, live, work and make lasting memories. We at Special Agents Realty bring you the most beautiful houseboats for sale in Seattle.
What is a houseboat?
A houseboat can be categorized as a floating home, however, have quick disconnect of power and water which allows them to be towed as needed to different locations or to shipyards for maintenance. The Seattle Houseboat market is a bit different than houseboats around the country, in that they no longer require navigation. On the contrary, they are not permitted to navigate to have permitting as a Floating On-Water Residences. No new FOWRs are permitted in Seattle unless you are replacing an existing Seattle Houseboat and they are capped at approximately 230.
Floating Property Flotation:
The hull of a houseboat is usually made of aluminum, steel and fiberglass over wood and are typically barge style in design. In other areas of the country houseboats can have a navigation systems and a motors, however, not in the Seattle area where they are regulated by the City of Seattle. Floating homes are on old growth logs with many, many barrels beneath them to keep them afloat. Sometimes these barrels become dislodged and require a diver to replace or adjust their locations to level the home. The newer floating homes have sealed concrete floatation. Talk to a Special Agents Realty specialist for Floating Homes for sale in Seattle. Values of Houseboats For Sale in Seattle are affected by the type of hull/flotation they have.
What is a floating house/home?
A floating home is not mobile and stays in the same place. Unlike a houseboat, you cannot move a floating home to a different location. At least not easily or without very strict regulation. Seattle Floating Homes are also capped at approximately 525. Electricity, sewer, water, and sometimes gas is hard connected to city connections and the floatation is very different than a houseboat.
Types of Moorage:
Seattle Houseboats and Seattle Floating Homes have similar moorage types, although more of the floating homes have condo-owned or co-op owned moorages than do houseboats. More Seattle Houseboats are located in recreational rental moorage and Floating Homes are also in rental slips, however, the larger percentage are in co-op or owned condo moorage. Both can also be located in long-term leased moorage. The preferred moorage is condo owned and/or co-op owned moorage and the prices for Floating Houses for Sale in Seattle are reflected in location and moorage type.
Amenities in a houseboat and a floating home:
Toilet
Seattle Houseboats have marine toilets with black water tanks that hold toilet waste. These are pumped out by local pump-out services unless the dock has a portable pump line. Seattle Floating homes have a hard connection to city sewer services and standard toilets. However, many docks are below the street level therefore they will typically have an additional tank where the sewage will flow and it is then pumped upwards to the sewer system. All floating properties are subject to the motion of the lake and freezing temperatures in the winter months so great care must be taken seasonally. Talk to your Special Agents Realty specialist about the nuances of living on the water.
Water System
Seattle Houseboats have a quick disconnect of potable water hoses to the city water system from the docks. Some houseboats with larger cargo holds have freshwater tanks with pressure pump systems which are especially useful in the winter months when water is shut off in freezing weather. Seattle Floating Homes are hard connected to the city water system, and their lines are below the water under the docks.
Electricity
Seattle Houseboats have quick-disconnect power cords at the marina dock, and typically backup batteries for the operation of bilge pumps if the power goes out. Most houseboats have 30 AMP services, which can make the use of multiple electronic devices challenging. A 50 AMP +service is preferred in marinas that support it.
Floating homes are hard connected to the city power, the same as homes on land.
Houseboat Maintenance
Houseboats and floating houses are either fiberglass and steel or made of wood. Houseboats made of fiberglass, steel, and aluminum are much easier to maintain and are popular. On the other hand, houseboats made of wood are less expensive but are tedious to maintain. So if you have enough resources to maintain a houseboat, you should opt for a wooden one.
How should I buy a houseboat or a floating home?
Seattle Floating Homes and Seattle Houseboats for Sale in Seattle do have financing programs that are considered portfolio loans and treated very similar to residential lending, although houseboats and floating homes are considered personal property and are taxed as personal property.
To get more info about Houses for Sale in Seattle, Floating Homes, and Houseboats for sale in Seattle, don’t hesitate to contact us for inquiries for professional guidance at Special Agents Realty.
Special Agents Realty FAQ
Floating homes are stationary; they are in a primarily permanent location in the water. There is no moving from that location; they float. A houseboat, however, can move from dock to dock.
There are many advantages to owning a floating home. For starters, you save on gasoline because a floating home is in a permanent location. People interested in alternative lifestyles can get the best out of this type of house. They can also experience being close to a great location without living in a condo. Additionally, it is a major benefit to get waterfront views and to be one with nature.
Houseboats have many ways they can get electricity. Generally, when they’re docked, they will be plugged in. But when they aren’t docked, the houseboat relies on power generated through a generator, solar panels, or wind turbines. This power is stored in large battery banks. A houseboat will usually have a bigger storage capacity than most vessels.
The best neighborhoods to search for houseboats and floating homes for sale in Seattle are Portage Bay, Westlake, Eastlake, and Fremont.
Yes, you can live permanently in a houseboat. But you will have to decide if the houseboat lifestyle is something they genuinely want and will enjoy. If you have any questions about whether this is the right type of home for you, contact Special Agents Realty today!
Like a car or major appliance, a houseboat requires regular maintenance to ensure it continues to operate smoothly. Some items of maintenance include the decks, roof, propellers, oil changes, ignition, and more. If you keep up with regular maintenance, costs will not be expensive. Prices vary depending on who you hire so be sure to get estimates from different contractors first.
Houseboats are safe, but there are a few items you can buy to keep yourself even safer. Personal flotation devices, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors are all good safety investments for the home. Even though the houseboats have gates and rails, a lifejacket is another safety investment you should consider. It’s also smart to get a lightning dissipater, a device that can prevent lightning from striking, before purchasing any floating homes for sale in Seattle.
These homes were made to permanently sit on the water. These structures will tend to rise with the water. So when an area floods, it is in better condition than a regular home. Floating homes have actually been adopted in other locations, like the Netherlands, to combat climate change and flooding.
The cost of living on a floating home can vary greatly depending on the location, size, and amenities of the home. In general, floating homes may be less expensive to purchase than land-based homes, but they may have higher ongoing costs for things like moorage fees and utility bills.
It can be more difficult to get a mortgage for a floating home than for a land-based home, as floating homes may be considered a specialty property type. However, some mortgage lenders may offer loans for floating homes, so it's worth doing some research and speaking with lenders to see what options are available.
Floating homes can be designed and built to withstand many types of storms and natural disasters, but it's important to consider the specific location and potential hazards when evaluating the safety of a floating home. In some cases, floating homes may be more vulnerable to certain types of disasters than land-based homes, so it's important to carefully consider these risks before purchasing a floating home.
It can be more difficult to find insurance for a floating home than for a land-based home, as floating homes may be considered a specialty property type. However, some insurance companies may offer coverage for floating homes, so it's worth doing some research and speaking with insurers to see what options are available.
The property tax treatment of floating homes can vary depending on the location and other factors. In some cases, floating homes may be subject to the same property taxes as land-based homes, while in other cases they may be taxed differently. It's important to research the property tax rules in your area if you're considering purchasing a floating home.