A home near the water is the ultimate dream, right? So why not take that fantasy even further with a home actually in the water? It’s easier than ever to turn that fanciful notion into a reality.
A nautical life can be yours in one of these five floating homes along the West Coast.
Just think of the fun you’d have with the ocean as your backyard. These floating homes will gently rock you to sleep at night, allow you to kayak off of your front porch in the morning, and greet you with wafting breezes all day.
Now are you tempted to live that peaceful, sea-dog life? Check out these possibilities.
Price: $2,890,000
Yacht Rocks: Calling this buoyant mansion a mere “floating home” does not do it justice. With four bedrooms spread across 2,747 square feet, it’s one of the swankiest residential vessels we’ve ever seen.
And a buyer has options in this fancy floater. It can be configured as a multiunit dwelling, with two or three separate living units. One unit features a remarkable great room with its own transparent dome. But if the buyer opts not to share, it can also be a spacious, single-family home.
Located at the end of the dock, this floating house serves up some of the best views in Sausalito. The new owner will also enjoy updated kitchens and baths, three wraparound decks, and an extra 1,000 square feet of storage in the hull. Walk to shops, restaurants, the yacht club, and a ferry that can shuttle you across the bay to San Francisco.
Price: $665,000
Farmhouse-style Boathouse: Chip and Joanna Gaines would swoon over this shiplapped and shingled residence. There’s even a lovely loft bedroom with skylights and a water-view deck in this farmhouse-style floater.
Measuring 962 square feet and listed as having one bedroom and one bath, this home is currently arranged with three separate sleeping spaces. The galley kitchen, dining area, living room, and half-bath are on the first floor; and the main bedroom, full bath, and a separate studio/bedroom/office occupy the second floor.
This floating home sits at the end of the dock, allowing for unobstructed views of the Alameda Estuary, as well as a place to dock a sizable sailboat or motorboat.
Price: $1,350,000
Waterfront wonder: This gabled-roof cottage with stained-glass windows and a red Dutch door is a supercute option. Inside, you’ll find a layout that feels much bigger and better appointed than most traditional, 818-square-foot houses.
The single-level floating home has a beautifully designed kitchen and a great room illuminated by sizable windows on two sides, making it feel large and airy. On the other side of the wall are two bedrooms, generous storage, and a full bath with a tub and shower.
There are decks on all sides—even on the roof. The house is docked in Portage Bay, known for its beautiful views and its easy commute to the Seattle. It’s also a few steps from an exceptional kayak launch and the shops and restaurants on the Lake Union Loop.
Price: $435,000
Cabin on the water: Rustic is not a word we would usually associate with a floating home; but this woodsy A-frame would be equally at home in the forests of Oregon as on the Columbia River.
The two-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot residence boasts a convenient bedroom loft. The interior is completely paneled, and there is plenty of built-in shelving and storage. There’s also an abundance of natural light from skylights and large windows.
Multiple decks and other exterior features may need a little sanding and staining—as most wood structures near the water do—but a cabin on the river might be worth the extra elbow grease.
Price: $325,000
River reversal: This two-bedroom, floating home on the Multnomah Channel is the most affordable option of the bunch. It sits across from Sauvie Island, where boating and paddling opportunities abound. It could easily serve as a full-time family home or an inviting weekend retreat.
The home has an interesting reverse floor plan—the living room and kitchen are upstairs, along with a charming atrium that provides a great view of the river. The primary bedroom with an adjacent balcony are also upstairs.
Another bedroom, a second living room and bath, plus an enclosed patio space that’s been used as a woodworking shop are all downstairs.
Source: realtor.com