On March 5th, we posted Nathan Torgelson’s (Director of Department of Construction and Inspections) response to our questions regarding permitting for Floating On-Water Residences.  Since that time, the Director of DCI has met with State Senator Jamie Pedersen and representatives of Lake Union Liveaboard Association. As a result of these meetings, DCI has revised their position and we have received an update from Nathan Torgelson.

Updated Email from Nathan Torgelson

In the past couple of weeks I and other SDCI staff have spoken with State Senator Petersen, the Department of Ecology and the Lake Union Liveaboard Association (LULA), and I think all of us can appreciate the complexity of the State and Seattle regulations and procedures surrounding over-water residences. Thank you for your patience as SDCI works through the issues of Floating On Water Residences (FOWR) and House Barges (Barge), and the procedures and regulations surrounding their replacement in Seattle. I am including a number of folks on this email so we can hopefully all be on the same page.

SDCI is in the process of developing a notarized or sworn statement form that the buyer and/or owner of a FOWR/Barge will sign when a FOWR/Barge is replaced, and it will lay out the points spelled out below. I am sorry if previous emails from me have created confusion on this topic. I hope that a forthcoming SDCI “Tip” and “Replacement form” on these issues will provide clarity. I want to emphasize that the points below lay out our general policy thinking at this time. The exact wording may change in the final Tip and Replacement Form.

Please let me know if you have further comments and concerns.

WAC

The Washington Administrative Code lays out the policy intent for floating on water residences:

New over-water residences, including floating homes, are not a preferred use and should be prohibited. It is recognized that certain existing communities of floating and/or over-water homes exist and should be reasonably accommodated to allow improvements associated with life safety matters and property rights to be addressed provided that any expansion of existing communities is the minimum necessary to assure consistency with constitutional and other legal limitations that protect private property.

A floating on-water residence legally established prior to July 1, 2014, must be considered a conforming use and accommodated through reasonable shoreline master program regulations, permit conditions, or mitigation that will not effectively preclude maintenance, repair, replacement, and remodeling of existing floating on-water residences and their moorages by rendering these actions impracticable.

Seattle’s Shoreline Code

If an existing FOWR/Barge is replaced in Seattle, the FOWR/Barge status will stay with the replacement structure, and the original FOWR/Barge will no longer have FOWR/Barge status in Washington, nor can it be used as a vessel with a dwelling unit in Seattle.

The form will lay out options for the existing FOWR/Barge that is being replaced. (I acknowledge that previous emails may have confused some of the options laid out below):

1. The current owner may decommission the FOWR/Barge in a manner that it can no longer be used as an on-water structure or craft in Seattle. An example of this is drilling holes in the hull so that structure will no longer float and moving the structure to dry land. This option may require submitting a permit to SDCI to place the decommissioned FOWR/Barge on dry land where it is allowed.

   OR

2. The current owner may decommission the FOWR/Barge in a manner that it can no longer be used as an on-water structure or craft in Seattle, and then demolish the FOWR/Barge. SDCI would require proof of demolition.

   OR

3. The purchaser may apply for a shoreline substantial development permit for the new location of the former FOWR/Barge in Seattle in a legal location, and at the same time demonstrate that an existing FOWR/Barge will be removed from Seattle waters

   OR

4. The purchaser may remove the former FOWR/Barge from Seattle waters and place it in another Washington jurisdiction subject to that jurisdiction’s current or future regulations. The purchaser must recognize that the former FOWR/Barge cannot be legally established as a FOWR/Barge in another location in Washington.

   OR

5. The purchaser may remove the former FOWR/Barge from Seattle waters and remove from Washington State waters.

The purchaser must agree that if the existing structure leaves Seattle waters if cannot return, and must acknowledge that Seattle’s Shoreline Code has a cap on the total number of FOWRs/Barges, and the overall policy intent of Seattle’s Shoreline Code is to not increase overwater coverage.

**********************

I hope this helps clarify some of the issues with FOWRs/Barges

Nathan Torgelson

Director

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
O: 206-684-0343 | M: 206-255-2911 | nathan.torgelson@seattle.gov
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As stewards and regulators of land and buildings, we preserve and enhance the equity, livability, safety, and health in our communities.

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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…

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Check out this fabulous, fun, funky, Seattle houseboat!

Imagine waterfront you can put your toes in!  Picture owning this one of a kind flagship!  The spirit of Seattle shines through in this fanciful, charming houseboat loaded with character and flavor. Nicely equipped with a 3/4 bath, charming kitchen with nautical cabinetry, and wood ceilings accented with nautical style beams.  Complete with elevated pilot station and wooden ship’s wheel, this vessel has all the right stuff.  Located at Seattle Marina in an over-sized slip, there is room for your run-about behind the houseboat-vessel, or we can move it to a smaller slip.

Special Agents, Inc has submitted application for our vessel brokers license and will be your houseboat vessel go to broker. Coming soon Seattle-Houseboat.com.

Check out the VIDEO here!

Check out the VIRTUAL TOUR here!

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Thinking of listing your home?  You have time to get your home ready to make the best first impression for new buyer’s and I have prepared a list of to do’s so you are ready.

1. Do a pre-inspection on your home to help you avoid dealing with unforeseen issues during the negotiations. Think of this as your handyman to-do list and hire professionals as needed. Save your receipts for all your work, you may need these receipts for the potential buyer and possibly for your taxes (check with your CPA).
2. Meet with your Real Estate Broker who will provide a Comparative Market Analysis for your home, discuss listing price and may have suggestions on what you may be able to do to get the best value for prospective buyer’s.  Your Realtor may also recommend previewing active listings in your market area. This will be your competition. In addition you will want to discuss with your Realtor buying a home and ask for a lender referral. This will be a good time to meet with Lender you trust and discuss with them what you need to do to get pre-approved for buying a home. Getting your pre-approval before you list your home may save a lot of headaches when you get an offer on your home. You need to be ready to buy.
3. This is Spring and “Curb Appeal” is very important. To get buyer’s in the door you need an inviting entry, so power-wash moss, paint and freshen up with flowers and new bark. Hire a yard service if you need the help, because this will pay off in the price you get for the home.
4. Minimize! De-personalize and organize your home and get rid of the clutter. That doesn’t mean cramming it in the closets and garage, it means consider getting rid of things never or rarely used. Buyer’s need to see that the home is not over crowed and there will be room for their things. If it is cluttered, it will be difficult for buyer’s to see beyond your belongings. I recommend placing things you are not using in storage tubs. It can be less daunting to pack them later if you have them already packed in easy to move storage containers. Consider renting a storage unit for a few months while the home is listed.
5. Change out all the light bulbs to brighter bulbs and clean all the light fixtures while your at it. Replace any broken or outdated light fixtures, but try to stay with period fixtures.
6. Clean the windows inside and out. I recommend using hot-water with a very small amount of dish soap. Always show your home with all the lights on and window coverings open to let in the light.
7. If you need to paint consider lighter neutral colors.  Get a designer if you need help choosing colors, but stay neutral.
8. If something is broken replace it or fix it. Buyer’s want to know you have taken care of your home.
9. Clean, clean, clean! Whether you hire deep cleaning house cleaner or you do it your self, it is very important to clean the home, including the carpets.
10. Consider getting your home staged. Partial staging will go a long way when selling a home and statistically a lightly staged home will sell first. Even if it is not the better home.
11. List your home for sale and plan for many showings in your first week or two. Your Realtor will work with you on the best showing times and Open House times.

Click here to email Linda Bagley and I will help you through the process.

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In this special episode our friend and buyer, Scott Dosset, goes through the process of selecting his houseboat from a selection of 3 great options. Each of the 3 houseboats has its own unique flavor and character, and all are great representations of the outstanding Seattle Lake Union houseboat lifestyle.

The Househunters “Houseboat Hunters” special episode is schedule to air sometime in December. In the meantime, stay tuned to Special Agents Realty for photos, updates, and teasers!

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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!

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Living in a houseboat allows you to feel the water, and you learn after a while that the lake has moods. Sometimes it is happy, sometimes it is sad, sometimes angry, sometimes mysterious, but it seems to me, always beautiful.

When I shot this picture this morning, I was struggling with what mood the lake was in.  This view only lasted a couple of minutes and it reminded me of a Peacock, spreading its tail feathers. So the mood I presumptuously assigned to the lake was Showing Off. Alright, that may not be a mood – maybe prideful?  What do you think?

In any case, Lake Union in Seattle can invoke a variety of feelings and presents astonishing beauty for a small, urban lake. There is an amazing variety to the views and even the amount of wildlife surprises us. There is a vast amount of activity, both man made and natural. We never dreamed that living in a houseboat could be this awe inspiring, surprising, and just down right fun. Every day is a vacation.

I would love to hear your comments… What mood do you think the lake was in?

Stay tuned for more “Moods of the Lake.”

Curious about houseboats and floating homes? Want to learn more? Visit us a www.SpecialAgentsRealty.com, email us at linda@specialagentsrealty.com or give us a call at (206) 419-0065.

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