We are VERY excited and proud to announce that Houseboats will be back on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) as of July 24th, 2015. It is hard to believe that just over a year ago, we, Kevin & Linda Bagley began this endeavor on June 4th, 2014 by meeting with Jerry McDonald, Administrator of Real Estate Programs for Washington State, and Lewis Denny, Manager of Dealer Services for Washington State. The goal was to get Houseboats back on the Multiple Listing Service.

HISTORY:

For decades, Houseboats were listed and sold on the Multiple Listing Service by licensed Real Estate Brokers. In 2013, it was brought to the attention of the Multiple Listing Service that houseboats, although primarily designed as a residence, are technically vessels and in order to broker a vessel transaction, you must be licensed as a Washington State Vessel dealer.

This meant that representation for houseboats was typically limited to Vessel Dealers (aka Yacht dealers), and marketing confined to the listing broker’s websites, Craigslist ads, and flyers. At Special Agents Houseboats, we worked hard to promote houseboats and protect their values through unique and exceptional marketing efforts. We knew, however, that to assure the best representation and overall marketing, getting houseboats back on the MLS was imperative.

With the help of some great people, we were able to get House Bill 1309 crafted, submitted and passed unanimously through both houses.

We would like to extend our special thanks to:

• Jerry McDonald, Administrator of Real Estate Programs, who helped craft the wording for House Bill 1309 and who helped with guidance and direction throughout the process.
• Lewis Dennie, who assisted from the Vessel Dealer side and provided excellent suggestions for success.
• Bob Mitchell, Director of Executive Projects at Washington REALTORS who shepherded House Bill 1309 through the House and Senate and represented our position with skill and expertise.
• The Real Estate Commission for creating the task force and providing a platform for launching this effort.
• Brandon Vick, Washington State Representative, 18th District who sponsored and championed House Bill 1309
• Bill Clarke, Washington Realtors Policy Director
• Nathan Gorton, Washington Realtors Government Affairs Director
• Sam DeBord, Managing Broker Seattle Homes Group
• Justin Haag, Attorney for NWMLS who correctly integrated the new law into NWMLS policy.

The NWMLS Announcement:

Summary

As specialists in Floating On-Water Residences and Floating Homes, founders of Lake Union Liveaboard Association, and key players in the protection of Houseboats in Washington State, we are a great choice for your next purchase or sale of a houseboat, house barge, or floating home. These properties are much more complex than standard residential properties and having the best agents who have specialized in these unique properties for over 9 years is in your best interest. Go to www.SpecialAgentsHouseboats.com to see more and schedule an appointment.

Looking for land based property?

We do that too! Visit www.SpecialAgentsRealty.com

Here are some examples of the types of exciting properties you can expect to see coming on the NWMLS…

The post Houseboats Back on the MLS! appeared first on Special Agents Realty.

Ecology Director Maia Bellon signed the final approval for the City of Seattle’s Shoreline Master Program on Monday June 1, 2015. The updated SMP will go into effect on June 15, 2015!

A process that began nearly 8 years ago is finally coming to completion.  In 2007, the Department of Planning and Development began a process to update the Seattle Shoreline Master Program. This process would see Seattle Houseboats placed in a very precarious position.

The Department of Planning and Development was charged with updating the Seattle Shoreline Master Plan, which was previously updated in 2005. Seattle’s SMP controls development and use of the shorelines in Seattle waters including floating homes and other floating residences.

Lake Union Liveaboard Association (LULA) was formed in 2009 as a result of changes proposed for the new SMP, which could have potentially eliminated Houseboats in Seattle. For the following 5 years, LULA fought hard to change the SMP to deal fairly with Houseboats. In January, the Seattle City Council passed the SMP, which placed restrictions on Vessels being used as dwelling units, and interpreted this to mean Houseboats as well. This meant Sea Trials, demonstrating navigation, certification by Naval Architects, and a host of other restrictions.

As the City was passing the SMP and submitting to Ecology for review, LULA went to state regulators and got a bill passed that created a new term “Floating On-Water Residences” and protected those Floating On-Water Residences that had been in existence prior to 7/1/2014 from adverse regulations.

As a result of the new law, the City of Seattle was forced to revise the SMP to accommodate Floating On-Water Residences and to treat them as conforming uses in the city.  This required significant changes to the SMP. The city was required to remove many requirements, including Sea Trials, Freeboard, Naval Architect certifications, Navigational equipment, Boarding locations, cleat locations, Hull shape, Propulsion systems, Steering systems, and more.

In addition, the City was required to allow Floating On-Water Residences to be maintained, repaired, remodeled, and replaced in accordance with the new law.

What does this mean for Houseboats in Seattle?

• A structure will be considered a Floating On-Water Residence if it was moored pursuant to a lease or ownership interest in a Marina within the City, prior to July 1, 2014
• Houseboats are required to be verified as Floating On-Water Residences
  • Applicants will pay a one-time fee to receive a verification number
  • Submit an application for verification with pictures, dimensions, a sketch, and proof of moorage in the City prior to July 1, 2014.
• Verification Numbers will assigned and must be displayed in a prescribed manner on the Floating On-Water Residence.
• Houseboats may be expanded with height restrictions, but may not change in footprint size.
• Expansion is allowed subject to height limitations and is limited to 120 square feet, unless graywater is contained and disposed of properly or the Floating On-Water residence is connected to a City waste-water system.
• Houseboats may be replaced, but are subject to the same footprint, height, and expansion requirements.
• A one-time expansion of footprint is allowed for safety reasons, as certified by a Naval Architect. If footprint is expanded, no other expansion may occur.
• Open Railings may be added to decks and stairs, but if over height restriction, are limited to 36 inches.
• A Floating On Water Residence may be relocated and owners should update verification records within 60 days. Failure to update may result in enforcement action, but does not forfeit right to maintain the Floating On-Water Residence.

Faith Lumsden, Compliance Director at DPD has indicated that the verification process will be available online as of 6/15/2015 and that the forms will be available online.  She also indicates that DPD will try to create some press as an outreach program, to help spread the word.

Floating On-Water Residences May Be Sold By Licensed Real Estate Brokers

Separate from the Shoreline Master Program, a new law goes into effect July 24th, 2015, which permits licensed Real Estate Brokers to list and sell Floating On-Water Residences without having to have a Vessel Dealer License. This law affects Floating On-Water Residences statewide, although the vast majority of Floating On-Water Residences are located within Seattle city limits.

The state definition of a Floating On-Water Residence is:

“floating on-water residence” means any floating structure other than a floating home that: (i) Is designed or used primarily as a residence on the water and has detachable utilities; and (ii) whose owner or primary occupant has held an ownership interest in space in a marina, or has held a lease or sublease to use space in a marina, since a date prior to July 1, 2014.

We can break down the criteria for being a Floating On-Water Residence:

• It a floating structure, other than a floating home
• It is designed as a residence on the water -OR-
• It is used primarily as a residence on the water
• The owner or primary occupant has held an ownership interest in space in a marina prior to 7/1/14, -OR-
• The owner or primary occupant has held a lease or sublease to use space in a marina prior to 7/1/14

From this you can see that most houseboats, house barges, and many vessels will qualify as Floating On-Water Residences.

Please visit www.Seattle-Houseboat.com for more information about Houseboats.

The post Seattle Shoreline Master Plan Receives Final Approval appeared first on Special Agents Realty.

Ben Brashen with KKNW 1150 interviewed Linda and Kevin Bagley on 6-19-2013, owners of Special Agents Realty and Special Agents Houseboats on his show Brashenomics. The interview provides an excellent overview of the differences between Houseboats and Floating Homes, the houseboat buying process, and a great introduction to houseboat life.

The interview is helpful to those wanting to learn about Seattle Houseboats and Seattle Floating Homes, what is involved in buying a houseboat, and a bit about financing houseboats. We would love to hear your feedback!

The post Linda & Kevin Bagley Radio Interview About Houseboats & Floating Homes appeared first on Special Agents Realty.

We are very excited that Special Agents Realty was asked to audition for a special episode of Househunters for HGTV that will focus on our search for a houseboat for our client Katy. Special thanks to Sam DeBord with Coldwell Banker Danforth for referring us and Katy for this opportunity.

Shooting will begin in August and may potentially include shots from our office on Lake Union, our houseboat “The KevLin” and from our runabout which we used to show Katy some of the other houseboats on Lake Union.  The show will present Katy’s search for the perfect houseboat and will like present some of the great lifestyle scenes on and around Lake Union. With filming occurring in August, we are hoping for great weather to show off the fantastic houseboat lifestyle.

Of course, this means lots of work to do before then – clean the boat, spit shine the KevLin, plant flowers and spruce up the office. We are confident that HGTV will find this lifestyle fun and unique and should make for a great episode.

Oh, yeah.  If you would like to learn about buying a houseboat or floating home on Lake Union, we are specialists in this field and can help you Float Your Boat! Give us a call at (206) 419-0065.

This is the life!

The post Special Agents on HGTV appeared first on Special Agents Realty.

Lead poisoning is a serious problem which can lead to adverse health problems. In children, high levels of lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavioral and learning problems, slow growth, and hearing problems. In adults, lead poisoning can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorder, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.

Lead poisoning is especially a problem in cities with older buildings. Typically, lead is present in the paint from older buildings, in the water supply, and in the environment from cars and buses. Preventing lead poisoning in large cities, where there is so much possibility for exposure is both difficult and expensive. Federal programs have attempted to address this problem.

For buyers and sellers, lead poisoning is also an issue. Houses that were built before 1978 probably have paint that contains lead. Federal law requires that sellers disclose known information on lead-base paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a federal form about lead-based paint in the building. Buyers will have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards and are likely to stipulate corrections.

The post Lead Poisoning appeared first on Special Agents Realty.