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Seattle Houseboats and Floating Homes Sold 10/09

By
Real Estate Agent with SeattleHome.com -Coldwell Banker Danforth

There were 3 sales of Seattle Houseboats and floating homes in October.  These sales run the full spectrum of floating homes and are a good example of the variety.  

The first sale was a true house boat on the north end of Lake Union.  Located in the Seattle Marina just East of Gasworks park, this 1950s boat is a seafaring vessel docked in a rental slip.  Just down the hill from near-million-dollar Wallingford homes, this houseboat has 1000 sq ft of interior space and sold for just $149,000.  At 2 beds and 2 baths, it's fairly inexpensive living on Lake Union.  

On the east side of the lake, the floating Eastlake homes are more traditional houses with no intention of floating out to sea.  A small 1 bed, 1 bath bungalow sold for $415,000 as part of an estate sale at the beginning of the month.  This included an owned co-op slip and boat moorage, some of the extra amenities you'll find in the well-managed Eastlake communities.  

On Roanoke Reef in Eastlake, some of the most spectacular locations and views of Lake Union and Seattle can be found.  One new homeowner just picked up a 1980s built, two story, 3 bedroom floating home for just under $1.3 million. These homes have plenty of room for boat moorage, secure garage parking (on land), and decks on ever level.  At 1900 sq ft, it's a good-sized home and really feels a lot like living in a traditional home most of the time.  There's no better place to catch the fireworks than from your living room on Roanoke Reef.  

Sam DeBord and Brian Wiegand
Seattle Real Estate Brokers
Seattle Waterfront Homes
SeattleHome.com
(206) 552-8820  

Comments(3)

Terry Lynch
LAR Notary and Closing Services - Saint Clair Shores, MI

Are houseboats considered real property in your state? Here in Michigan they aren't.

Nov 09, 2009 09:50 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

The houseboats there are great -- stayed in one once and it was a fun experience.

Nov 09, 2009 10:08 AM
Sam DeBord
SeattleHome.com -Coldwell Banker Danforth - Seattle, WA
Seattle Real Estate Broker

Terry, houseboats aren't real property per se here in WA either, so owners actually pay sales tax on the sale of the vessel.  However, many have owned moorage in a condo or co-op management, so there is an aspect of real property ownership involved. 

Floating homes, on the other hand, are real property and pay property taxes and excise taxes like a traditional home.

Bob & Carolin - I've done the same, the last time in Lake Shasta, CA.  It's a great way to vacation or live full-time.

Nov 09, 2009 10:28 AM