Leschi - Steps to downtown Seattle and Lake Washington

Leschi Neighborhood of Seattle

Leschi is a neighborhood on Lake Washington's shoreline, near Central Seattle. The real estate ranges from million-plus-dollar waterfront homes to affordable and mid-range homes further up the hill towards Downtown. The area is diverse, with a short commute distance downtown and pocket parks along the waterfront street ends. There is limited boat moorage, but there are some waterfront dining restaurants with day moorage spots for customers. The views of the waterfront and Cascade mountains make the real estate very attractive.

Leschi Waterfront Real Estate - Homes For Sale

Windermere Neighborhood Seattle - Waterfront

Windermere is a neighborhood in Northeast Seattle. Just North of Laurelhurst and South of Magnusson Park, Windermere has expansive estate lots and large, classic homes. The real estate is exclusive, and the neighborhood is small, so these homes usually move quickly when they are listed for sale. Windermere has a shoreline of waterfront homes on Lake Washington and views of the Cascade Mountains.

Windermere Neighborhood of Seattle - Real Estate - Homes For Sale

Laurelhurst - Real Estate on the Lake Washington Waterfront

Just East of the University of Washington, Laurelhurst is a Seattle community on the shores of Lake Washington. Laurelhurst is an exclusive neighborhood with large waterfront estates, beautifully-maintained classic Tudor homes, and quiet, low-traffic streets. Most of the shoreline is private land and docks, although there is a a private neighborhood park with a swimming area and boat dock. The views of Seattle, the Cascade mountains, and Lake Washington are unsurpassed.

Just a short distance to downtown Seattle and to the Eastside through Montlake, Laurelhurst has the feel of a suburban neighborhood and the attractiveness of an in-city commute.

Sam DeBord

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate

Laurelhurst Waterfront Homes For Sale

Lake Union Waterfront

Lake Union is the city of Seattle's most central waterfront. The shores of the lake house some of the best parks, dining, and entertainment in the city. The real estate on the waterfront ranges from small, inexpensive houseboats to large, luxurious homes with views of the city skyline and the water. The lake is almost always being used by sailboats, kayakers, recreational boaters and even the occasional seaplane. Boat traffic speeds are heavily regulated, so the lake is fairly calm.

Lake Union connects Lake Washington and Portage Bay in the East to the Ballard locks and Puget Sound in the West. The water level is regulated year-round through management of the locks. The houseboat communities of Lake Union are some of Seattle's most-famous real estate, with the "Sleepless" in Seattle houseboat being a favorite tourist attraction. There are plenty of daytime-use docks for boaters to tie up and have dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants. There are numerous boating events throughout the year, and the fireworks display on the lake is watched from Gas Works Park by hundreds of neighborhood residents every year. With its close proximity to downtown Seattle and perfect city views, Lake Union real estate is highly sought-after and priced accordingly.

Lake Union is bordered by Westlake/Queen Anne, Wallingford in the North, Eastlake/Montlake, and South Lake Union.

Sam DeBord

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate

Lake Union Waterfront Real Estate - Homes For Sale

Kirkland's waterfront - dining, boating, shopping

Kirkland is a city located on the East shoreline of Lake Washington, directly across the water from North Seattle. Kirkland's waterfront and downtown have the feel of a small town, with public parks, small restaurants, shops, and a walkable downtown core.

The lakefront park and boat launch are very popular in summer, as well as the organized downtown events in the summer. Daily boat moorage is available at Kirkland's docks, with a minimal fee for overnight moorage. Home to Costco's birthplace (Kirkland brand), there are many businesses that keep the job market healthy in this mid-sized town.

Home prices near the water are high, as to be expected, but become very reasonable as you travel further North. To the East of Kirkland is Redmond, and to the South is Bellevue.

Sam DeBord
Seattle Waterfront Real Estate
Kirkland Waterfront Homes For Sale

Hunts Point - exclusive locale on the waterfront

Hunts Point juts out into Lake Washington between Kirkland and Bellevue. Its high-end neighbors to the Northeast and South are Yarrow Point and Medina. This small, exclusive community is surrounded by water. Virtually all of the real estate on the point has a dock or moorage on the waterfront.

Homes are exclusive and usually multi-million dollar estates, although there are a few homes further inland without water access. Residents can commute by boat to Kirkland, Bellevue, or Seattle with ease. Carillon Point Marina is the closest public mooring.

This upscale community is not as well-known as other neighborhoods because there is no real public waterfront or attraction that would draw visitors. The resulting quiet atmosphere and incredible geographic location make it a highly-sought after community for Seattle-area buyers who are "in the know."

Sam DeBord

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate
Hunts Point Waterfront Homes For Sale

Belltown - Waterfront, water views, downtown Seattle living

Belltown is located just North of Downtown Seattle and just South of Queen Anne and the Seattle Center. This lively neighborhood has a wide range of restaurants, businesses, and clubs that give it a vibrant nightlife. The residential real estate is solely condos, with a handful on the Puget Sound waterfront. There are a large number of newly constructed condo buildings with wide views of the Sound and the downtown Seattle skyline.

Belltown went through a major redevelopment in the mid 1990s, giving it a more upscale feel as technology businesses and their employees filled and upgraded the commercial and residential real estate. Home prices are fairly high, although there are still some older homes with moderate prices. The Bell Harbor Marina is Belltown's waterfront entrance.

Sam DeBord

Seattle Waterfront Real Estate
Belltown Homes and Condos For Sale

Houseboats - Floating Homes vs. House Barges vs. Vessels

Puchasing a houseboat can be more complex than purchasing a house or condo. The first thing to determine is what exactly you are buying. Your financing will be dependent on the type of "houseboat" that you purchase.

The City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Development CAM 229 - Client Assistance MemoSeattle Shoreline Master Program (SSMP) - Seattle Municipal Code 23.60

Floating Home
SSMP defines a floating home as a single-family dwelling constructed on a float that is moored, anchored, or otherwise secured in waters. Seattle's construction codes apply to floating homes and have requirements similar to those for houses built on land. Floating homes are required to be located in approved "floating home moorages" and have direct connections to sewer and water utilities, in addition to other location and design restrictions. The number of authorized moorage locations for new floating homes is very limited.

House Barge
The SSMP defines a house barge as a vessel that is both:1. designed and used for navigation but lacks a means of self-propulsion and steering equipment or capability (for example, it is designed and used for navigation by towing); and 2. designed or used as a place of residence.

A house barge houses people over water, but does not need to comply with the construction and utility requirements applicable to floating homes. Only house barges that have been continuously moored and used for residential purposes within the City of Seattle since June 1990 are allowed, and they are regulated as nonconforming uses. They must be moored in recreational marinas, meet State water quality standards, and demonstrate that all overboard discharges havevbeen sealed and that a satisfactory means of conveying waste-water to an approved disposal facility has been provided.

There are approximately 34 authorized house barges in Seattle. New house barges are not permitted. Moorage restrictions on house barges and floating homes are intended to preserve moorage space for boats rather than non-water-dependent residential uses.

Vessel
Boats, ships, barges, or other floating craft that are both designed and used for navigation and that do not interfere with the normal public use of the water are classified as vessels. Vessels are not regulated by the City's construction codes.

Vessels must be moored at a site that has the appropriate use permits for providing moorage to that type of vessel. Uses on vessels must be consistent with the policy of the Shoreline Management Act and with the regulations of the Land Use Code and the SSMP, even if no shoreline substantial development permit is required.

Incidental residential use of a bona fide vessel is permitted under the shoreline regulations. Several unique features of vessels with residential use differentiate them from house barges and floating homes. Vessels must be designed for navigation, including having a seaworthy hull design that meets U.S. Coast Guard standards for flotation, safety equipment, and fuel, electrical, and ventilation systems. They are capable of being used for water transportation, and if they are used for residential purposes they must be able to travel under their own power to open water, including a method for steering and propulsion, deck fittings, navigational and nautical equipment, and the required marine hardware (absent these features, they will be categorized as house barges, as described above).

In addition, vessels must be used for navigation in a manner consistent with the type of vessel. Finally, vessels must be registered with federal, state, or county agencies. (NOTE: Being registered alone does not mean that something will be classified as a vessel for the purposes of the City's Codes-a vessel must be designed and used for navigation.) A structure on the water lacking any of these features does not qualify as a vessel and is subject to the SSMP and other City codes as a structure and as an obstruction.

Alki Beach - Seattle Waterfront

The Alki neighborhood, and Alki beach, are located on the north end of West Seattle on the Puget Sound. The tip of the West Seattle peninsula is know for its sandy saltwater beaches. The waterfront has plenty of space for playing on the beach, building bonfires at night, and walking, biking, or roller-blading the wide pedestrian paths on the boardwalk.

Alki feels somewhat like a small Northern California beach town. The streets are narrow, and smaller, salt-stained shops, restaurants and houses cozy up to Harbor Avenue. The views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and the islands in the Puget Sound are unsurpassed. Just a short trip from downtown Seattle across the West Seattle bridge, Alki feels like a beach vacation getaway without having to drive far.

Waterfront real estate in Alki has increased greatly in value recently, but is still reasonable compared to Lake Union and Lake Washington real estate. There are plentiful view condos, with a wide range of prices. If you plan on boating on the waterfront, you'll want to get on a waiting list early. The closest moorage is on the Duwamish (think under the West Seattle bridge), and it can be difficult to get a spot.

Alki, like West Seattle in general, has a feel that you've left Seattle altogether and settled into a smaller, quieter town. At the same time, access to Sea-Tac airport and downtown are quick for commuters. Real estate prices are reasonable for the views and lifestyle offered. Spend a sunny summer afternoon walking the beach and the shops and you'll be hooked.
Sam DeBordSeattle Waterfront Real Estate

Alki Beach Waterfront and Water View Real Estate

Seattle Houseboats - Pros and Cons

When considering living in Seattle's Waterfront Houseboat community, there are a lot more things to consider than just the beautiful views. Here are a few things that potential houseboat buyers should consider before taking the plunge.

• Financing - Even though houseboats are real estate, many lenders don't finance them, so you'll have to find a specialty lender.
• Commute - Down the docks can be slow. Across the water could be exceptionally fast.
• Parking - Many houseboats have no reserved parking spaces. Those that do have 1 or 2 spots, probably don't have parking for your guests.
• Getting in and out - Think about moving in furniture, bringing home groceries, and doing your laundry. You can get a washer/dryer in your houseboat, but most of these activities require hauling things down the docks.
• Home Repairs - Any contractor that works on your houseboat will be a specialist. Think more $$$.
• Storage - It's time to get rid of that extra mattress, foosball table, and 3rd winter jacket. Space on a houseboat is a premium.

If you didn't flinch at these special attributes of the houseboat lifetstyle, you're probably a great candidate to own a houseboat. There is nothing that compares to sitting on your front porch and watching the ships float by on Opening Day, canoeing from your doorstep to a restaurant for dinner, or visiting with your waterfront neighbors. It's a side of Seattle that most never get a chance to see.

Seattle Shoreline Management - Waterfront Bulkheads

Much has been written and discussed about the building of waterfront bulkheads on Seattle-area waterfront properties. Real Estate owners logically want to protect their land, and the slow erosiion of that property does have a long-term effect of lost value. Environmental groups, on the other hand, say that the building of these rock and concrete walls on the waterfront damages or destroys important wildlife habitat.

Seattle has a long-standing tradition of being a leader in environmental protection. While many shoreline management laws are currently being updated, it seems that we need to find a happy medium that we can implement without government intervention. Home owners should be able protect their real estate investments without being hamstrung by bureaucratic red tape. At the same time, reasonable shoreline restrictions and implementation guidelines should be developed by our environmental agencies to give home owners an effective, non-prohibitive solution.

Waterfront real estate owners and environmental groups in Seattle shouldn't have to be at odds. In fact, the home owners can and should support the protection of the environment that gives them the pleasure of living on the water. Environmentally-friendly walls and habitat-friendly construction should be at the forefront of both groups' priorities.

Sam DeBord
Seattle Waterfront Real Estate

Cleats and Eats - Seattle Waterfront Entertainment

"Cleats & Eats" restaurant guidebooks are the most comprehensive guides for boaters looking for unique places to dine and things to see and do beyond the dock. Specifically written from the boater's perspective, "Cleats & Eats" directs boaters to little known docks as well as marinas for purposes of dining, relaxing, and exploring.
Cleats and Eats are great guidebooks for boaters and waterfront home owners. The books guide you to local Seattle docks and marinas where entertainment and dining are available. Written specifically for boaters, these books chronicle not only well-known local restaurants on the waterfront, but also small nooks and "holes in the wall" that even some locals might not know.

Including maps, contact information, and check-in procedures, you can find a plethora of information about Seattle area and Puget Sound "Cleats" to tie up and visit. "Eats" guides you through walking directions to the restaurants and diners near the waterfront. There are also guides to walking-distance attractions like museums, wineries, and spas.

If you're thinking about buying real estate on the waterfront, this is a great way to spend some time on the water and get a taste of the lifestyle. If you already own a home on the Puget Sound or a Seattle area shoreline, pick up Cleats & Eats and make the most of your unique waterfront neighborhood.

Cleats and Eats
Seattle Waterfront Real Estate

Wallingford - Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood

Wallingford is a residential neighborhood on the north shore of Lake Union, just north of downtown Seattle. The real estate varies widely, from inexpensive houseboats on the waterfront, to mid-range townhomes, and high-end single family homes.

The boundaries of the Wallingford neighborhood are roughly:

Lake Union to the South

I-5 to the East

N 50th St to the North (a few pockets extend further North)

Highway 99 (Aurora) to the West (some would say Stone Way N)

Wallingford's business center is N 45th St. It is lined with independent shops, restaurants, bars, and theaters. The neighborhood has an active resident community council which strives to preserve its small town feel. The QFC supermarket in the center of 45th St is the closest thing you'll find to a national chain business (although it feels like a small neighborhood market inside). Dick's Drive In and Gas Works Park are just a couple of the Seattle landmarks residing in Wallingford.

The majority of Wallingford's homes are 1920s-built Craftsman and Tudor homes. There are some newer developments of view condos and high-end townhomes. The real estate prices are relatively high, although there are small Craftsman Bungalows still selling in the mid-level price range. This neighborhood is highly sought-after because of it's small town pace, proximity to downtown (5 minute drive on Highway 99 or I-5), and recreational areas including parks, movies, Lake Union and Green Lake.

First time home buyers - the key to the upswing

WASHINGTON ECONOMISTS' REPORT: Economic and Fiscal Impacts of First-Time Home Buyers

Several of Washington's top economists contributed to this report: Mr. Glenn Crellin, Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, Dr. ChangMook Sohn, former Executive Director of the WA state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and Dr. Kriss Sjobbolm, VP of Research-Economist for the Washington Research Council.

The report on first time real estate home buyers was released this week. It explains the economic and revenue impacts of policies that can create new real estate buyers. The kinds of actions that would stimulate home purchases of 12,000 first time home buyers are laid out in the study.

The effects of real estate on the economy over 2 years:
8,533 new jobs
$340.3 million in wages
$1.35 billion in new economic activity

Home purchases drive the consumer market. We need to kick-start real estate to get everything else moving again.

Try Seattle Waterfront Houseboats First

Living in Seattle waterfront Real Estate may be out of reach for some financially, but houseboats on Lake Union can be a less-expensive option. While the waterfront lifestyle is very attractive, buyers should be aware of the unique characteristics of houseboat living. Maintaining water systems, using boat bathrooms, and even simple tasks like bringing home groceries are all much different than living in a conventional home.

A great way to test out Seattle houseboat living is to rent a houseboat. Although recent shoreline management rules have stopped short-term rentals, you can still rent a houseboat for a 3 month period or longer. It's a great way to see if the tradeoff in lifestyle is right for you, without the financial investment of buying real estate immediately.

http://www.seattlehouseboatrentals.com/

Seattle Houseboat/Floating Home Codes

Because Seattle houseboats are a special niche of real estate, the have their own rules and laws. From houseboat moorage to rentals, licensing and permits, your floating home has a lot of unique rules that you should be aware of.
You can research the specific codes from the City of Seattle through the link below. Make sure that you have a good base of knowledge about this waterfront real estate living option. When you're ready to dive in, you'll feel much better about your new lifestyle on the water.
http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=7.20&s2=&S3=&Sect4=AND&l=20&Sect1=IMAGE&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CODE1&d=CODE&p=1&u=/~public/code1.htm&r=1&Sect6=HITOFF&f=G

Year-round Elliott Bay Water Taxi coming soon

The slated start for year-round Elliott Bay water taxi is 2010. This will allow more waterfront real estate owners to have a stress-free commute from West Seattle to Downtown. Considering the impending construction on Highway 99/viaduct/tunnel downtown, this will be a very important transportation avenue for waterfront homeowners. Easy access to downtown will make watefront properties in West Seattle more valuable in the near future.

http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/oto/water_taxi.html

Waterfront homes in Seattle are more affordable

While home prices have been flat in some areas of Seattle and even dropping in parts of King County, that news can be good for buyers.

Buyers who are looking to move up to a waterfront home are in a great position right now. A recent Seattle Times real estate article relates how some Seattle residents are able to move up to the home of their dreams. See the full article here.

When economic times are good, waterfront real estate is far more expensive than other homes. When sales are slower, there is less of a gap between the two kinds of homes. If you've thought about buying waterfront real estate in Seattle, and you are in a good financial situation, now is a great time to start looking. We may not see prices like these and interest rates this low for a long time to come.

Welcome to Seattle Waterfront Real Estate discussion

We'll be covering topics on Greater Seattle area waterfront homes, including Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Puget Sound real estate.

From houseboats, to waterfront houses, to water-view condos with boat slips, there is a wide array of real estate in Seattle with shoreline access. The special niche of homes has a number of topics that don't necessarily apply to other homes.