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Houseboats ahoy!

Courtesy of Cooper Jacobs Seattle Real Estate

There are not many places on the West Coast where you can find house boats. That means the supply is limited so they are usually in high demand. And don't forget the slips for the homes. Those can go for a pretty penny, too. A recent ad in the Seattle property listings featured  a piece of property on Lake Union that's 14 x 30 feet, 35 feet of water, with an asking price of $95,000.

So what's the appeal? Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard that living on the water has a certain allure. And, he quips, they are great for earthquakes! The disadvantage is that you have to park  on dry land, so expect a longer walk getting your groceries into your home. Rules and regulations are also rigorous, says Hagar:

You're talking sewer pipes, water lines, and electricity - something that water does not like!

Ownership is usually a condo-type arrangement. You own our condoized slip along with a partial interest in the dock. 

Whatever the case, the sunsets and rocking waves are enough to get most of us wishing that we could spend at least some time in a floating home. Just keep the life jackets handy!

Before accepting the position of News Director in 1996, she spent five years as knkx's All Things Considered Host and filed news stories for knkx and NPR. Erin is a native of Spokane and a graduate of the University of Washington and London's City University - Center for Journalism Studies. Erin worked in the film industry and as a print journalist in London and New York before returning to Seattle to work in broadcast news.