Open those French doors on a nice, sunny day and - make sure there's a boat there. This beautiful houseboat has walls that can open to let in a lot of atmosphere, and also get you close to Lake Union. Usually, there's a porch or a deck. This house lets you step right into your boat, as long as you remembered to dock it there. It is one of the distinctive features of this 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 1,200 square foot two story that was built in 2007. From the dock, the shingle-sided house looks like a conventional Craftsman, though without the peaked roof. The peak is gone so a roof-top deck can pull in a 360 degree view that is a particularly precious feature of Lake Union houseboats, seeing Seattle wrapped around you. They're asking $945,000 (with $420/month HOA) for a relatively new house with old-style style like mullioned windows, hardwood floors, and a fireplace bracketed by built-in bookcases. That might even be a functioning picture rail running just below the ceiling line. Don't forget though, it may look conventional and stylish, but make a misstep and you'll get a quick reminder of your house's foundation.
· 2031 Fairview Ave E [Estately]
Written by Tom Trimbath