How Did This One Move With No Motor & Why Is It So Special?

Seattle houseboats are a big part of what I do at Cooper Jacobs Real Estate. Lake Union is a large part of our lives and we really care about the well being of the community we serve.  We have been working tirelessly and are currently over at a Portage Bay floating home in order to get it ready for the houseboats market tomorrow. We want the property to shine in its best light and knows that without her special agent touches it won’t be everything that it could be.  We do not stop until it the property is perfect because we are specialists for all Seattle houseboats realty and all Seattle homes for that matter – big or small. We are excited about this latest listing in the Seattle houseboats world because right now there are only TWO floating homes in the MLS that are under a million dollars.

Under a million dollars is big in the world of affordability and Seattle houseboats.

Currently, as I said above, there are two Seattle floating homes for sale for under $1M.  They are under $600k in fact. I’m partial to one of them in particular.  We favor this gorgeous houseboat for a number of reasons besides that it is our listing.

2017 Fairview Ave E, Slip O

Let’s back up a minute to how this Seattle floating home came to be on what I consider to be the best location in Lake Union – the most southern dock in one of the oldest and well run co-ops on the lake… Even the Seattle houseboats which are considered floating homes have moved around a number of times over the last one hundred plus years. They don’t have motors and are generally “permanently” moored to their dock, but from time to time they have moved.  This one as I recall got towed in from Portage Bay years ago and lovingly restored by the king of floating home improvements himself, Sid McFarland. The dock itself – The Log Foundation owned it while Sid worked on it and they were responsible for the logistical details of bringing it to the dock to replace a derelict houseboat which has fallen to their ownership after the owner passed away. The houseboats on the dock that were further out then this one were all brought out to the lake and rafted together while this beauty was brought in and secured and then one by one the others were towed in and hooked up as well. It took the entire day and what a feat to make it happen in just one day! (I have pictures if you want to see them in a post from 2010: Can you move a floating home?)

So this special houseboat came to be in the perfect little spot by way of many details, but after it was restored, the current owner purchased it and put her own flair on it.  You can see from the older lake union blog pictures that it has come a long way and is now an artistic oasis. This is one of the things I love about Seattle houseboats and floating homes in particular – each owner over the years make it theirs and no two are alike. Ever. This one is called Annie “O” lovingly by its current owner who would never leave except that her family has now grown and she needs something a tiny bit bigger. There are possibilities for tying up boats here, dogs and cats are ok, it has really great channel views, and is pretty much the ultimate in Seattle waterfront living at a non Seattle waterfront real estate price. Annie O has two bedrooms and a beautiful wrap around deck and the slip that this Seattle houseboat is moored in is OWNED moorage.  The Log Foundation is a cooperative dock – meaning that the owners OWN the actual submerged parcel of land in the lake. Dues and taxes are low and it truly is affordable and simple living that somehow also feels like a huge luxury.  They are asking an unheard of low price of $599,000 and I would love to tell you more about it if you are interested.

We specialize in Washington Lifestyles…

Houseboat living is a definite lifestyle. We are also experts on Seattle waterfront homes, Seattle’s many waterside neighborhoods, Puget Sound Islands including Bainbridge Island homes for sale. We can also help you with fun over the mountain places like Suncadia and Roslyn homes for sale. Email or call/text me for more info 206-850-8841 courtney@cooperjacobs.com We are happy to help!